Please read the passage before reading the comments.
Paul has arrived in Athens. He did some sightseeing. He noticed many shrines dedicated to many pagan gods. He even noted one dedicated to an Unknown God. He concluded that the Athenian people were very religious. He built on this foundation to proclaim the Christ to them. He spoke highly of the culture of the Athenians.
When he mentioned Jesus and the Resurrection, the Athenians took him to be referring to new gods. They heard Resurrection as a female divine figure, a goddess, because in Greek the word is feminine in form.
Some believed, but, apparently, Paul did not experience phenomenal success. He left Athens and went to Corinth.
Paul’s approach to the Athenians is one that is used successfully in taking the gospel to other cultures and civilizations. By getting to know the culture of the people with whom the missionary is speaking, the missionary can tailor the approach used to the people to whom the message in meant.
Paul arrived in Athens as a messenger or apostle sent by God. This did not make him better than the Athenians, nor did it give him rights to talk down to them. He met them on a plane of equality, as a human being equal to them, but also as one with a message from God.
How often do we go to others as from a position of power, making our authority felt, and, probably, causing resentment and distaste in the process. If we have a mandate from God, we should be using the tactics of God, gentleness, kindness, understanding and humility.
We are living in this place, with all its culture, history and experience. If we understand the people who live in this place, then we can speak with them in ways that they can understand. We can more easily accomplish our work this way.
Sightsee, understand, speak, and be successful.
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