Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1903-01-29
THE SABBATH SCHOOL
International Lesson Comments For
February /.
Subject; Paul at Athens, Acts xviii, 22.34-
Golden Text, Acts xviii, lS-MemOry
Verses, Is, % Commentary on the
Days Lesson.

I. Paul at Athens I've. l3-2D. As usual,
persecution arose against the new religion
at Berea, and Paul, leaving Silas and Tim:
othy ". l4) to follow him later, fastened
secretly on till he came to the famous city
of Athens, the capital of the intellectual
world, as Rome was Of the political and
Jerusalem Of the religious: While Paul
waited for the coming of Silas and limo
thy he employed his time in speaking in
market places to those whom he met. The
leaders in philosophy and religion were, at.
tracted by Paul, and held conversations
with him about his religion. After discuss
ing with these philosophers for time they
requested Paul to leave the curious. and
thronging crowds of the market and ad.
dress them from the platform on the sum.
init of the hill, called Areopagus, or Mars
Hill. where were assembled the noblest OF
Athens, the first; politicians, the first ora
tors, the first philosophers.
81. %. paul stood" Paul spoke in the
open air. MARS Hill-the Areopagus,"
This hill was to the west of the Acropolis
and was the meeting place of the Athenian
Council. To this hin of Mars the philoso.
pliers led St. Paul, that he might more
conveniently address a larger audience.
Eye men Of Athens" He was addressing
men of high intellectual powers. Their
ci,y was the most renowned in the world
for literature, arr, and philosophy. Il per.
ceive." Paul had observed the important
Ye are greatly addicted to religious prac.
tice. The expression used by the apostle
was complimentary. Ye are every reli.
gious."
%. "Your devotons." See r. V. The
apostle had beheld their affairs and works
Of art consecrated to religion. ITO an un.
known god" That no deity might punish
them for neglecting his worship. "Ignor.
antly worship" See r. V. The apostle
does not intend to say that their worship
was of an ignorant character, but that they
offered it in ignorance. Him declare l."
1t was death for any private person to
disturb the religion OF the state by. the in.
PRODUCTION of any foreign god that had not
been publicly recognized. But how admir-.
ably does Paul avail himself of the in
scription on the altar! Who could accuse
him of introducing anything new when he
only expounded to the Athenians the at
tributes Of the God whom they had ignor-
antly worshiped?
q. God that made" !. He opposes,
indirectly, their opinions that there were
that matter is eternal. 3. That all things
are controlled by fate. 4. That the world
was formed by an accidental throng of
atoms. And these were the doctrines of
his hearers. While Paul respected the
rank and, position which his hearers held
he was faithful in preaching unto them the
truth. ''Dwelleth not" A strong, deci.
sive stroke against the whole system of
Grecian idoatry.
,25. with mems hands" The apostle
illustrates the character of the true God
still further by another contrast between
Him and the deities of the heather. God
is independent of His creatures, He needs
nothing from them. The heather consid-
cred it mertorious to bring costly gifts to
their idols. and even offerings of food and
drink. "He gveth." He is the source of
life and all things necessary to sustain
life, therefore He cannot be dependent on
that life which He has created.
20. Zone blood" God has made Of one
nations. This lays upon us the duty to
and lovingly, even the lowest races of men.
Greeks held that the first men had sprung
up in Attica, like radishes;" that, like flow
ers and trees, every nation was the pro-
duct of its own soil, and that they were
the aristocracy, all others being barbar.
ians. The whole human family, however
different in complexion. customs and Ian.
guage, are brethren. Hath determined"
Gods almighty hand is revealed in the gov
ernmcnt of the world, as well as in its ere.
alton.
81. "Shoul1 seek the Lord" The whole
object of the divine Providence, in His
dealings with nations and individuals, is to
bring them to knowledge of the one true
God Not far" He is hard to find; not
because lie withdraws from us, but be-
cause we withdraw from Him. Our iniqui.
ties separate us from Him lisa. SO: 2;
Rom. 10: 6l0).
20. "Offspring Of Cod By creation at.
ter the image of God; by regeneration
through the incarnate Son of God Ought
not" If we, intelligent, moral, rational
beings, are the offspring of God, we ought
not to. think that the Divine One is like
dumb, dead senselcss idol.
80. This ignorance" See +. Y. Sins
committed in ignorance are different from
those committed against light and con-
science. Men cannot plead ignor, ice who
are living in the presence of an open Bible.
Overlooked. In the word Overlooked"
lie treasures of mercy for those who lived
in the times Of ignorance.
81. ''He will judge" Their character
and deeds were to be examined, and the
awarded by the Judge. Paul's reference
was apt, since he was standing in the place
where judicial sentences were wont to be
announced. "In righteousness. Every de
cision win be absolutely right and correct.
There will be no bribery, no covering up.
The Righteousness of the judgment is what
makes it terrible to the conscience.
III. The effect of Paul's address Tvs. 80.
81. 80. "Some Knocked" Perhaps the
Epicureans, who believed that this life
was all. "Others said," etc. Whether Sc.
riously, or merely, a courteous refusal to
hear anything further is uncertain.
SO, "a. Paul departed" His effort had
not proved as successful as he had hoped.
He soon left Athens for Corinth. Certain
men - believed" Several accepted the
truth, but the names Of only two are men.
toned. "Dionysius." There can be. no
doubt that this man was one Of the judges
of this great court, but whether the presi.
dent or otherwise we cannot tell. No per.
son was judge in the Areopagus who had
not borne the Office of chief governor Of
the city, and none bore the office Of judge
in this court who was not Of the highest
reputation among the people for his iptelli.
gence and exemplary conduct. "Damaris."
For what she was noted is not known, but
she must have been woman Of influence.
Conuncrums.