Who is the unknown god in Acts 17:23?
Acts 17:23
ESV - 23 For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, 'To the unknown god.' What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.
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Asked December 12 2013
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Anonymous (via GotQuestions)
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S. Michael Houdmann
Supporter
In Acts 17, Paul arrives in Athens, the citadel of the many Greek gods. In that city was the Areopagus, or Mars Hill, where a council of civic leaders met. This council, also called the Areopagus, ...
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Leon Penny
Supporter
The unknown god is an idol god or a just in case god. In Acts 17.22-27 we find Paul recognizing people as persons of faith and he then turns to a symbol that is contradictory to faith. His discourse on God's sovereignty and man's relationship to God emphasize that God is all man needs. He includes the uselessness of idol gods. He closed the teaching with the theme at the beginning of the discourse: idolatry.
Jack Gutknecht
Supporter
ISBE (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia) -- I love all these Bible dictionaries/encyclopedias!: Paul identified the "unknown God" as the one true God whom the Athenians did not know. He used their altar as the starting point for proclaiming the gospel, revealing the Creator who "made the world and everything in it" (Acts 17:23-24; cf. Isaiah 45:5-6). Warren Wiersbe: The altar exposed the inadequacy of pagan religion. If the Athenians did not know this God, they could not truly worship Him. Paul declared the God they lacked and called them to repent and believe in the risen Christ (Acts 17:22-23, 30-31; John 17:3). Vincent: The altar reflected uncertainty that their religion had recognized every deity. Paul acknowledged their admission of ignorance but redirected it to the one true Creator, who "is not served by human hands" and "gives to all mankind life and breath and everything" (Acts 17:23, 25). Faithlife Study Bible: The altar demonstrated the uncertainty of Athenian philosophy. Paul declared that he would make known the God they had failed to know, the Lord of heaven and earth who now calls all people to repentance (Acts 17:23-24, 30). All four sources agree that the "unknown God" was not an unidentified pagan deity but the one true God. Although the Athenians worshiped Him in ignorance (Acts 17:23), Paul revealed Him as the Creator and Judge of all (Acts 17:24-31), who has made Himself fully known through Jesus Christ (John 14:6; John 17:3). navtheway.com assist A tremendous song with a workout beat to it is: "Not Far From Us" House of Purpose, Divine Vibes 4:24 I found it on Spotify.
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