Invitation to repentance (v 29-31)

“Therefore, since we are the descendants of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by human skill and thought.” (1) Paul argues that, as human beings (God’s creation) it is illogical to consider God as a mere image made of gold, silver, or stone. God is a spiritual being who created all things. (2) Here, Paul is referencing the first two commandments of the Ten Commandments: (a) Do not worship any god other than the true God, and (b) Do not make idols. (3) This message would have been quite shocking to the people of Athens (ref. Rom. 1:22-23). “So having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now proclaiming to mankind that all people everywhere are to repent.” (1) In past times, God overlooked the foolishness of idolatry. This “overlooking” does not mean He condoned it; rather, He did not judge idolatry harshly, showing patience (ref. Acts 14:16). (2) In this present time, with the revelation of the gospel, God commands all people to repent. Here, “repentance” means turning away from idols to the true God. For those who do not believe, their guilt is greater than that of those in past times. This also places a greater responsibility on those who proclaim the gospel. “Because He has set a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all people by raising Him from the dead.” (1) The time is approaching when God will judge the world. The standard by which He will judge is His righteousness. The executor of this judgment is “the Man whom He has appointed,” that is, the Messiah (ref. John 5:22, 1 Thess. 1:10). (2) There is evidence that the time of judgment is near. The Messiah died and was resurrected. His resurrection is proof that a day of judgment through Him has been set. This judgment will occur at the Messiah’s second coming. (3) The message of bodily resurrection did not align with Greek philosophy. The Greeks believed that the ideal state lay beyond the grave and sought to escape the physical body. Additionally, the concept of personal judgment was a difficult teaching for them to accept. Let us meditate on the foolishness of idolatry. It is illogical to consider God as an image made of gold, silver, or stone. Let us pray for the salvation of those who worship idols.