Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 181:721 (Jan 2024)
Article: The Apostle Before The Areopagus: Stoic And Epicurean Interpretations Of Acts 17:22–31
Author: Timothy S. Yoder

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The Apostle Before The Areopagus: Stoic And Epicurean Interpretations Of Acts 17:22–31

Timothy S. Yoder

Timothy S. Yoder is Professor of Theological Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary in Dallas, Texas.

Abstract

This article considers Paul’s address before the Areopagus of Athens in Acts 17:22–31 by investigating its assessment by the audience of Epicureans, Stoics, and nonphilosophical Athenians. Paul’s speech has been summarized in twelve propositions, each of which is analyzed to determine agreement or disagreement by the three segments of the audience. Examining the address in this way allows the biblical interpreter to understand better the intellectual context of the time, the reception Paul’s address received, and his apologetic strategy.

Paul’s famous address before the Areopagus in Athens, as recorded in Acts 17:22–31, receives most of its attention because of its status as an outlier among the sermons in Acts.1 Noted are Paul’s unusual introduction in which he undertakes to inform his audience of the “unknown God” (v. 23),2 his appearance in front of that famous group of philosophers known as the Areopagus,3 his use of two Greek poets, and the overall philosophical

BSac 181:721 (January-March 2024) p. 61

character of his address. For some, these factors have made the speech notorious and suspect, while others celebrate his innovative approach and see this address as a model for cultural engagement and apologetics.4 There is, however, an aspect of this passage that is underexplored. This episode records the only place in the biblical canon where an apostle presented Christian ideas before a group of Greek philosophers. This raises the question, How did they respond to Paul’s remarks? That is, did they agree or disagree with him?5 Instead of focusing on Paul’s contextualization of the gospel message, this article investigates how these Greek thinkers would have reflected philosophically on Paul’s address.

This article looks first at the setting and the context of the speech, drawing from Acts 17:16–23. Second, a brief orientation to the philosophical schools of Epicureanism and Stoicism along with the perspective of the nonphilosophica...