Comments on Acts 17

v19 "Areopagus",the Easton's Bible Dictionary entry:

     the Latin form of the Greek word rendered "Mars' 
     hill." But it denotes also the council or court of
     justice which met in the open air on the hill. It
     was a rocky height to the west of the Acropolis at
     Athens, on the south-east summit of which the council
     was held which was constituted by Solon, and consisted
     of nine archons or chief magistrates who were then in
     office, and the ex-archons of blameless life.

v28-29  In v. 28 Paul is making reference to the Hymn of 
Zeus, lines 5-7 written by Cleanthes of Assos (ca. 300-232 
B.C.).  In v. 29 Paul is commenting on the Stoic philosopher
Seneca (ca. 4 B.C - 65 A.D.).  Thus, Paul is drawing on their
own philosophical background in an effort to teach them.




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