In Athens Paul is distressed at the idolatry (v16) both for the honour of God and for the sake of these blinded people. We need to be distressed when we see people turn from the true God. We must not be comfortable and relaxed while the unsaved continue in their sin. There is a place for righteous anger.

Paul does something about the situation by engaging with the people (v17). Christians need to enter into discussions and even debates with the unsaved about what is the truth.

The philosophers in Athens loved to talk and debate, so Paul gladly joins with them to share about Jesus (v18). But they see his teaching as being ‘foreign’ about a foreign God and nothing to do really with them.

Paul’s response in bringing home that this message is for them, is by using their statue to the ‘unknown God’ (v23). Paul wants to make known to them what they do not know.

Today there are people we mix with who have great ignorance. All believers have the responsibility to make Jesus known. We need great wisdom in sharing with those not brought up in a Christian background. Pray for those you know not from a Christian background and how you can witness to them.