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Acts 17:16-18

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

It seems Paul is waiting for his companions, albeit impatiently. 2 Corinthians 11:1-15 describes the situation thus. Look, Paul has been very, very silly indeed. No other place in Scripture do we see such foolishness and nonsense displayed. He has a rather curious habit of writing everywhere he goes about what great things the Lord has done. Indeed, even if he did not see Jesus with the original twelve disciples, yet he is more than qualified. But how many know that even when you are very silly, God can bear with you. I admit, finding someone to join you in it is even better. Now, I am not saying that God cannot put up with or even use your nonsense. He can make all things be to his glory. Nor is he an unfit travel partner for those who suffer from such. Really, Paul ought to know. He has ministered with Jesus enough that all should know them both by now. He compares himself as a mix between a learned scholar of that age and a seasoned sailor from the port cities. The matter of Paul's speech aside, a few other household matters remain to be addressed. First, comes the issue of finances. It appears Paul was in the habit of receiving funds from one church then ministering at another. Yet the churches lacked not at all. For what Paul had, came from the regions of Macedonia.

See, this support came with him to comfort his needs. Nor should his presence be thought burdening, troubling, or overbearing towards them. It should be seen that all his needs God supplied, even down to the keeping of Lydia. My, how the Corinthian church's tone has changed. What was once a matter of "Paul planted and Apollos watered" has become something else entirely. Now they say, 'you don't love us anymore.' Seeing this, is it so terrible that Paul has put himself in a rather awkward position. He compares it to being abased, as one in need of his Father. Yet as in all things, the church is exalted, blessed, and running over. I know; it hardly seems fair. Notice how he mentions the regions of Achaia once more. Remember how Achaia was almost as though Paul ached to see them. Regardless, something has happened which set the entire church upon its' head. Yet here Paul will boast in the Lord's provision in this area once more; so, he will do regardless of what anyone has to say about it.

Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him.

If you are still following, look with me at where we are. Paul has gone to Athens, a city overshadowed by an owl goddess. Those of you who are familiar with the owl tell me it is a little bird well-known for saying 'who.' Once, the city was a bustling port at the tip of Greece. Moreover, its' inhabitants, like their patron, loved wisdom and knowledge. History tells of the societies that arose from this place of philosophy and much babbling. Small wonder then that Paul spent not his days of waiting in idle communication. Rather, he speaks to both the synagogue and the marketplace. Indeed, certain ones made it their daily practice to meet with him there. I see it matters not to him if these be Jews, Gentiles, or believers. For he would do anything to win all. Thus, we see him engaged in doing what he would towards this end. Even now, he cuts off occasions from those that require an audience to make their foolishness known. You know how some people do with their modern Skype meetings, Zoom calls, and news conferences. Paul agrees that such glorying in themselves is not good. See, it is one thing to trust in yourself when you have everything handled. It is quite another to trust in the Lord when things are quite out of your control. Lest you forget, Paul heads back to the basics here. Namely he preaches Christ and him crucified for a bunch of people who could not make it on their own. To do any less is to make an idol, a statue, a false apostle, and a deceitful worker out of yourself. To put it simply the text says they "transformed themselves into the apostles of Christ." I do not know about you, but I can think of no more terrifying image.

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.

Who should Paul meet here but some Epicureans living for today. Now the Epicureans taught there was neither God nor miracles much less the divine. My, these remind me of some modern-day atheists. Next, he found the Stoics worshipping everything. Those believed that God is in all things and all nature is god. So, for these philosophers to claim madness is nothing surprising. Consider also how the Athenians worshipped their founding goddess who supported everything they did. It seems Paul was right to grow a little worried for the church. The church was slim pickings for these self-proclaimed apostles that were just like a nest of so many writhing snakes. As a serpent himself, even Satan once appeared as an angel of light. See, it should surprise none that his ministers also may appear as righteous ones. Do not let the illusion trip you up now. So simple is Christ that he can be said thrice very easily. In all your complexity the truth can be hard to miss yet harder still to follow. Some might preach another Jesus, receive another spirit, or accept another gospel. Paul is saying bear with such a one. Some of the apostles themselves were once workers of darkness before meeting Christ. Make sure you do not reject my Jesus. In the end both the virginity, the espousal, and the knowing will be Christ's. Indeed, some of you ought to be a little jealous over the grace of God today. Whether in life or in death, these works of his will stand the test of time. So, you can judge such a one by the things they do as to whether they be in Christ or not. It should be extremely comforting if not downright sobering to realize. Thus, all our beginnings and our endings rest with God.