Five Places that Paul Visited
So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.” Acts 17:22-23 (ESV)
In Paul’s day, Athens was perhaps the top cultural center of the known world. The city was a thriving area of trade and commerce. The quality of living excelled far beyond other areas of the empire. It excelled so much that the people had free time, time which they used it to debate and discuss philosophy. These Greeks wanted answers to the deepest questions known to man: What does it mean to exist? What happens when we die? Is there a God and who is this God? They were religiously curious. Their whole culture reflected this, as they had a different, individual god for every aspect of their life. And, in case they forgot one, they even had a statue made to memorialize the "Unknown God.”
Paul preaches to them about the unknown God. He is the only God, the Maker of all things. He, through His almighty power of creation, leads men to look for Him. However, they can only find Him in His Word. Paul calls them to repentance and to trust in Jesus, the One whom God raised from the dead.
Genuinely curious people can be some of the most exciting with which to share God’s Word. God does not leave us in the dark with these people either. There is an answer for each of our neighbor’s curious inquiries. Law and Gospel and sin and grace are the simple answers to many of their questions. Though the goal is to always point them to their sin first and then to the relief of the cross.
Seek whom ye may to be your stay;
none can redeem his brother.
All helpers failed, this Man prevailed,
the God-man, and none other.
Our Servant Lord did help afford;
we’re justified for He hath died,
The Guiltless for the guilty.
The Lutheran Hymnal 383:2