Acts 17:16 Parallel Translations

While Paul was waiting for Silas and Timothy in Athens, he saw that the city had statues of false gods everywhere. This upset him.(GOD'S WORD®)

KJV:

Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.

ASV:

Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he beheld the city full of idols.

BBE:

Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was troubled, for he saw all the town full of images of the gods.

DBY:

But in Athens, while Paul was waiting for them, his spirit was painfully excited in him seeing the city given up to idolatry.

ERV:

Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him, as he beheld the city full of idols.

WEY:

While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, his spirit was stirred within him when he noticed that the city was full of idols.

WBS:

Now, while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.

WEB:

Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw the city full of idols.

YLT:

and Paul waiting for them in Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, beholding the city wholly given to idolatry,

Acts 17:16 Cross References

XREF:

Acts 17:15 Now those who escorted Paul brought him as far as Athens; and receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they left.

Acts 17:21 (Now all the Athenians and the strangers visiting there used to spend their time in nothing other than telling or hearing something new.)

Acts 18:1 After these things he left Athens and went to Corinth.

1 Thessalonians 3:1 Therefore when we could endure it no longer, we thought it best to be left behind at Athens alone, (NASB ©1995)

Commentaries and Concordances

GSB:

17:16 {9} Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was {f} stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to {g} idolatry.
(9) In comparing the wisdom of God with man's wisdom, men scoff and mock at that which they do not understand: and God uses the curiosity of fools to gather together his elect.
(f) He could not forbear.
(g) Slavishly given to idolatry: Pausanias writes that there were more idols in Athens than in all Greece; yea they had altars dedicated to Shame, and Fame, and Lust, whom they made goddesses.

PNT:

17:16 While Paul waited. At first he seems to have intended to await the arrival of Timothy and Silas before he opened his work, but his spirit was too much stirred.
Wholly given to idolatry. Full of idols in the Revised Version. This is confirmed by the Greek writers. The Greek historian Pausanias says that there were more idols in Athens than in all the rest of Greece combined. Many other writers bear the same testimony. Paul would see them wherever he turned his eyes.

WES:

17:16 While Paul was waiting for the - Having no design, as it seems, to preach at Athens, but his zeal for God drew him into it unawares, without staying till his companions came.

MHC:

17:16-21 Athens was then famed for polite learning, philosophy, and the fine arts; but none are more childish and superstitious, more impious, or more credulous, than some persons, deemed eminent for learning and ability. It was wholly given to idolatry. The zealous advocate for the cause of Christ will be ready to plead for it in all companies, as occasion offers. Most of these learned men took no notice of Paul; but some, whose principles were the most directly contrary to Christianity, made remarks upon him. The apostle ever dwelt upon two points, which are indeed the principal doctrines of Christianity, Christ and a future state; Christ our way, and heaven our end. They looked on this as very different from the knowledge for many ages taught and professed at Athens; they desire to know more of it, but only because it was new and strange. They led him to the place where judges sat who inquired into such matters. They asked about Paul's doctrine, not because it was good, but because it was new. Great talkers are always busy-bodies. They spend their time in nothing else, and a very uncomfortable account they have to give of their time who thus spend it. Time is precious, and we are concerned to employ it well, because eternity depends upon it, but much is wasted in unprofitable conversation.

CONC:

Athens Beheld Beholding Distressed Excited Full Gods Greatly Idolatry Idols Images Noticed Observing Painfully Paul Provoked Seeing Spirit Stirred Town Troubled Waited Waiting Wholly Within

Athens Beheld Beholding City Distressed Excited Full Gods Greatly Idolatry Idols Images Noticed Observing Painfully Paul Provoked Spirit Stirred Waited Waiting Wholly Within

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