Evangelism in the marketplace (v 17-18)

“So he was reasoning in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be present.” (1) The principle Paul adopted for evangelism was to address the Jews first, then the Gentiles. In Athens, Paul continued to follow this same approach. (2) On weekdays, he went to the marketplace (Agora) and engaged in discussions with those present (Gentiles). The Agora was a public market, a park, and the town center. It attracted itinerant teachers and people who enjoyed debate. Among them were scholars from the Epicurean and Stoic schools, the two prominent philosophical schools in Greece at that time.

Epicureans and Stoics

“And some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers as well were conversing with him. Some were saying, ‘What could this scavenger of tidbits want to say?’ Others, ‘He seems to be a proclaimer of strange deities’ …” (1) The founder of the Epicurean school was Epicurus (341-270 BC). The core of his teaching was hedonism based on materialism. For them, pleasure meant a tranquil state free from desires, pain, and the fear of death. They believed that even if gods existed, they had no interest in humans, so religion was considered evil. They also asserted that death was the end of everything. They were secular agnostics. (2) The founder of the Stoic school was Zeno (340-265 BC). A key characteristic of this school is an absolute confidence in “human reason” (they were pantheists and fatalists). They believed that destructive impulses arose from errors in judgment and that harmony with nature was necessary. The wise person, therefore, would not be tormented by destructive impulses, as they understood that the Logos (God) as cosmic reason pervades the world. All events inevitably occur according to the providence of this Logos (God). The wise person can attain “apatheia” (a state of enlightenment) and achieve true happiness. (3) The philosophers showed two reactions: (a) “What could this scavenger of tibits want to say?” The term “scavenger” refers to a cheap teacher who picks up teachings from here and there, presenting them as if they were his own. (b) “He seems to be a proclaimer of strange deities.” Paul was preaching about Jesus and the resurrection. They had no understanding of its meaning. To the wise of this world, the word of the cross is foolish. But to those of us who are being saved, it is the power of God. The foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom.