Acts 17:15-34 And they that conducted Paul brought him to Athens: and receiving a commandment to Silas and Timotheus for to come to him with all speed… The practical lessons are: — I. THAT A TRULY GOOD MAN WILL BE SENSITIVE TO THE MORAL EVILS PREVALENT IN THE COMMUNITY IN WHICH HE IS PLACED (ver. 16). Here idolatry was rampant. What are the prevailing evils in London? II. A TRULY GOOD MAN WILL BESTIR HIMSELF FOR THE REMOVAL OF THOSE EVILS. There are those who feel and say much, but do nothing (ver. 17). III. IN DEALING WITH THESE EVILS A MAN WHO IS WISE AS WELL AS GOOD WILL STRIKE AT THEIR ROOT IGNORANCE OF GOD AND HIS WILL. There was much vice, but Paul said nothing of that. Political and social reforms are good, but what the world needs is regeneration. Make the tree good and its fruit will be good. IV. IN DEALING WITH THESE EVILS TACT IS NEEDED AS WELL AS ZEAL (ver. 22). Paul never committed the gross oratorical blunder of accusing his audience of superstition. What he commended and proved was their religiousness, and having put them in good humour he proceeded to deliver his message. There is a great deal in the way we take hold of people. You must conciliate men before you can convert them. V. IN DEALING WITH THESE EVILS YOU MUST NOT EXPECT UNIFORM SUCCESS (vers. 32-34). (R. A. Bertram.) Parallel Verses KJV: And they that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timotheus for to come to him with all speed, they departed. |
    |