Acts 17

Acts 17:1

AMphipolis] A citie of Macedonia, now called Chrysopolis.

Apollonia] Another citie in Macedonia; there was another of that name in Africa.

Thessalonica] The chiefe citie of Macedonia; so called of Philip, victory over the Thessalians: to the Church hereof the Apostle wrote two Epistles.

Acts 17:4

Greeks a great multitude] Chap. 11. 20.

Acts 17:5

the house of Jason] Who was Paul and Silas host.

Acts 17:10

Berea] Another citie of Macedonia.

Acts 17:15

Athens] A citie and famous Universitie of Greece.

Acts 17:16

his spirit was stirred in him] He was moved with zeale to God, and indignation against their superstition, the rather because that citie which was a fountain of knowledge, became a filthy sink of idolatrie.

wholly given to idolatry] Or, full of idols.

Acts 17:18

Epicureans] A sect of Philosophers, as were also the Stoicks.

babler] Or, base fellow.

Acts 17:19

Areopagus] Or, Mars-hill. It was the highest court in Athens. A court where the Judges called Areopagites sate concerning the highest titles and causes, specially Religion.

Acts 17:22

Mars-hill] Or, the court of the Areopagites.

Acts 17:23

your devotions] Or, gods that you worship. 2 Thess. 2. 4. Your adoration, or the Gods that you worship: the Syriac give 〈◊〉, the house of your Religions.

TO THE ƲNKNOWN GOD] The Syriac give i the hidden God: hereby Paul taketh occasion to bring them to the true God whom they knew not.

Acts 17:24

God that made the world] Chap. 7. 48.

Acts 17:25

as though he needed any thing] Psalms 50:8.

Acts 17:26

of one bloud] Of one Adam.

determined the times] Job 7:1. & Job 14:5. For the birth and life of every man, as also the places of their habitation.

Acts 17:28

in him we live] That is, by his power by which he continually preserveth the creature in his being, Colos. 1. 17. Hebrews 1:3.

poets have said] As Aratus a Greek. See also, 1 Corinthians 15:33. Titus 1:12.

Acts 17:29

we ought not to think] Isaiah 40:18.

Acts 17:30

times of this ignorance] Chap. 14. 16.

God winked at] God did not manifest himself unto them as unto the Jews, Psalms 147:19. 20. This sheweth Gods patience that he did not presently destroy them, not their impunitie, for the life to come.

but now commandeth all men] Now he preacheth the Gospel to all Nations to draw them from their horrible sinnes: and now if they do not the known will of their Master, they must expect more severe judgements.

Acts 17:31

righteousnesse] Psalms 96:13. & Psalms 98:9.

by that man whom he hath ordained] Romans 2:16. Christ Jesus. It may be Paul nameth his humanitie in respect of the Gentiles ignorance of the mysterie of the Trinitie, and Christs incarnation: and lest they should so mistake that sacred mystery, as to confirme their opinion concerning pluralitie of Gods.

given assurance] Or, offered faith.

Acts 17:34

Dionysius the Areopagite] A Senator or Judg in that court of Mars-hill in Athens.