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PAUL ENCOUNTERS GREEK PHILOSOPHERS (16-21)

As Paul waits at Athens for the arrival of Silas and Timothy, his spirit is provoked within him
because the city is filled with idols. Paul reasons daily with the Jews in the synagogue and in
the marketplace with anyone present. Some of the Greek philosophers converse with Paul, and
bring him to the Areopagus, a place where philosophical debates take place, to hear about
Paul’s “new teaching.”

PAUL’S SPIRIT IS STIRRED

Act 17:16 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him when
he saw that the city was given over to idols.

Paul wanders around in Athens while he waits for Silas and Timothy. His spirit becomes angry
and resentful for the heathenism in Athens. Paul now devises a plan to put himself before the
people in Athens. He will discuss the Word in the synagogue and on the streets.

Act 17:17 Therefore he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with the Gentile
worshipers, and in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there.

Therefore disputed (dialogomai: discussed, reasoned with) he in the synagogue with the Jews,
and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him.

Paul begins by answering questions and discussing the Old Testament scriptures with Jews and
Gentile proselytes. He also begins to draw a crowd in the streets as he tells them of Jesus. His
teaching also draws many of the philosophers.

THE EPICUREANS AND STOICS

Act 17:18 Then certain Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him. And some said,
"What does this babbler want to say?" Others said, "He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign
gods," because he preached to them Jesus and the resurrection.

Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoics, encountered (confronted) him.
And some said, What will this babbler (spermologos: seed picker, loafer will) say? Other some,
He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the
resurrection.

In Athens, philosophy began with Aristotle and Plato. By the time Paul comes to Athens, two
schools of philosophy have developed: the Epicureans and the Stoics. Both take offense to Paul
because he teaches absolute right and wrong. They called Paul a “babbler,” which comes from
the Greek word spermologos, meaning a “seed picker.” This is a term of derision. Crows and
other unclean birds would wait for someone to plant seeds and then come steal them. They
are accusing Paul of picking up seeds of other teachings and putting them together to make his
own doctrine. They are accusing him of looking for an audience and making up a new religion.