Acts 17:29

Key Reflection

In Acts 17:29, Paul draws on a quote from Epimenides, a Cretan poet, to make a profound theological point to the Athenians. By saying, "For in him we live, move, and have our being," Paul asserts that God is the source of all life, movement, and existence—underscoring the universal sovereignty of the divine. This is further emphasized by connecting it with the idea that humans are "his offspring," which implies a familial relationship between humanity and God, even as they worship other gods. This dual quote challenges the Athenians to reconsider their understanding of divinity in light of the Christian message, drawing on both philosophical and theological arguments accessible to the educated elite of Athens.