Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 127:508 (Oct 1970)
Article: Paul’s Areopagus Speech
Author: Kenneth O. Gangel

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BSac 127:508 (Oct 70) p. 308

Paul’s Areopagus Speech

Kenneth O. Gangel

[Kenneth O. Gangel, Academic Dean, Associate Professor of Education, Calvary Bible College, Kansas City, Missouri.]

There is no more controversial sermon recorded in Scripture than that preached by the Apostle Paul in Athens. Its format and text are considerably different from his other addresses and the difference has called forth criticism.

The Setting

Paul visited Athens on the second missionary journey. After visiting Phrygia and Galatia and crossing through Asia Minor, he sailed from Troas to Neapolis in Macedonia. From there he went to Philippi where he labored for some time. Passing through Amphipolis, Apollonia, and Thessalonica, he went to Berea. Having been driven away from there, he sailed to Athens. Luke records that the apostle was alone in Athens awaiting the arrival of Silas and Timothy.

Upset by the idolatry of the city, he engaged in dialogue in the synagogue and in the market place, and because of his mention of the resurrection he was taken to the Areopagus. There he delivered what many consider to be one of the most brilliant impromptu sermons ever recorded.

The dominant theme of the speech is the nature of the true God versus idolatry. Verse 22 and 23 of chapter 17 are introductory. Paul exhibits remarkable rhetorical skill coupled with a precise knowledge of the mental frame of mind of his hearers. He tactfully deals with the religio-philosophical sensitivity. Homiletically, the speech is a work of genius if one adopts the view that Paul was interrupted after verse 31, and therefore we do not have any sort of conclusion and perhaps not even a formal finish of the body of the message. This view is still applicable even though Luke probably recorded only a representative summary.

The Areopagus speech is marked by some radical variation from many other Pauline addresses. The serious Bible student will note, however, that in many ways it is similar to

BSac 127:508 (Oct 70) p. 309

some of the apostle’s work. Hackett points out, for example: “One can readily believe, looking at this feature of the discourse (the logic), that it was pronounced by the man who wrote the epistles to the Romans and Galatians; where we see the same mental characteristics so strongly reflected.”1 F. F. Bruce compares the Areopagus speech with Paul’s protest at Lystra in Acts 14:15–17 and also the argument of <...

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