17:22,23
So Paul gave his defence or explanation of the gospel. In classical education rhetoric was considered one the key elements that was taught, and Paul’s speech here uses high quality Greek rhetorical devices. There are times for a straightforward gospel presentation, there are times to connect with the culture in order to lead people to the gospel. Paul starts be recognising that the Greeks were “very religious”. Saying something positive about the audience is often a good way to start, it establishes contact and makes it more likely that they will listen to you. However, this is not an absolute rule, remember that John the Baptist once started by calling his audience a brood of vipers (Matt 3:7)! And he too was quite successful. Paul then pointed to the altar to the “unknown God”. Wrong philosophies and religions will have within them self-contradictions and these can be starting points for opening their minds.
17:24
Paul then goes to true religious thought. God does not dwell in temples. Some Greek philosophies accepted this. Indeed, one of the problems of Jewish religion was an over veneration of the temple, despite Solomon recognising at the outset that the temple he had built was in reality insufficient to the task. The key point is that God is infinitely greater than us, yet we so often look at things and try and explain, or even limit, God as if He was just human. We still do this today, even in churches.
17:25
The basic human way of looking at the concept of God is from a human perspective. We look at Him as if He is served by human hands, ie as if He is dependent upon us and works like we do. This is totally the wrong way to look at things. God is not dependent upon us any way whatsoever. Rather, He provides us with life, and every other thing that we need.
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