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John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Acts 17:18

18 Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection. Ver. 18. Certain philosophers, &c. ] The deep theorems of philosophy (said King James) make one learned, but seldom better, and oftentimes worse, mere atheists. There is an Arabic proverb, Cum errat eruditus, errat errore erudito. When a... read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Acts 17:19

19 And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is ? Ver. 19. Brought him unto Areopagus ] A cruel court where Socrates lost his life for the very same crime that St Paul is here charged with; viz. an endeavour to introduce new deities. (Laertius.) That the apostle came off not only with safety, but some success (for Dionysius, one of the judges, was converted), see a sweet providence. Paul wanted a place to preach in;... read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Acts 17:20

20 For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean. Ver. 20. For thou bringest certain strange things ] Or, new, never heard of, ξενιζοντα . Yet now so new neither as they thought for; seeRomans 11:2-4; Romans 11:2-4 ; Romans 16:25-26 . Papists upbraid us with the novelty of our religion, and ask us where it was till Luther’s time? We answer (as one once did), "In the Bible, where their religion never was." See Catalog. Test. verit., and Mr... read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Acts 17:21

21 (For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.) Ver. 21. For all the Athenians, &c. ] The self-same truth is testified by Demosthenes, in an answer to Philip’s letter. ημεις ουδεν ποιουντες ενθαδε καθημεθα πυνθανομενοι ει τι λεγεται νεωτερον . We (saith he to his countrymen of Athens), to speak truth, sit here, doing nothing but trifling out our time, and listening what news abroad. This their... read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Acts 17:22

22 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. Ver. 22. You are too superstitious ] You are fearers of evil spirits; so one renders it; and Paul elsewhere tells the Corinthians that what they sacrificed to idols they sacrificed to devils, 1 Corinthians 10:20 . Beza renders ως δεισιδαιμονεστερους , quasi religiosiares (as if the apostle had used an euphemismus), a somewhat superstitious, or rather religious;... read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Acts 17:23

23 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. Ver. 23. I found an altar ] A high altar, βωμος , seems to come from במה a high place. St Paul, as he preached without a pulpit,Acts 17:17; Acts 17:17 , so he takes his text off one of their altars. Anything serves turn, so he may do good. To the unknown God ] That uncertainty that attends idolatry caused those mariners to... read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Acts 17:24

24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Ver. 24. Dwelleth not in temples ] See Trapp on " Act 7:48 " read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Acts 17:25

25 Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; Ver. 25. Neither is worshipped ] Colitur vel delinitur, collogued with, or complimented. Colendi verbum απο του κολακευειν , dictum volant eo quod plerunque Dei hominumque cultus cum adulatione et hypocrisi est coniunctus. Sic a λατρευειν , Gallicum flatter. Some derive the word here used, θεραπευω , of the Hebrew Taraph or Teraphim, idols or images,Genesis... read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Acts 17:26

26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; Ver. 26. And hath made of one blood ] This our brainsick diggers do much beat upon, and would therefore lay all level, and have all things common. One of their progenitors came to the Emperor Sigismund, and calling him brother, asked him for means; because he was his brother, and one of the same blood. He gave him a... read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Acts 17:27

27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: Ver. 27. They might feel after him ] Grope after him, as blind men, ψηλαφησειαν . The apostle dealing here with philosophers, disputes philosophically, showing them, most learnedly and divinely, the true use of natural philosophy, which they were utterly ignorant of. Crucifer oft contemplated the footsteps of God in the creature, saying with Paul, that God was so... read more

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