Although God overlooked the ignorance of earlier timesIn the context of
Acts 17, Paul is addressing the Athenians at the Areopagus. The "ignorance of earlier times" refers to the periods before the revelation of the Gospel, when Gentiles were not held accountable for their lack of knowledge about the one true God. This reflects God's patience and forbearance, as seen in
Romans 3:25, where God "passed over the sins previously committed." Theologically, this highlights God's mercy and the progressive revelation of His plan for salvation. Historically, the "earlier times" could refer to the pre-Christian era when paganism and idolatry were prevalent.
He now commands all people everywhere to repent
This phrase marks a significant shift in God's dealings with humanity. The command to "repent" is universal, extending beyond the Jewish people to include all nations. This aligns with the Great Commission inMatthew 28:19, where Jesus instructs His disciples to make disciples of all nations. The call to repentance is central to the Gospel message, as seen inMark 1:15, where Jesus begins His ministry with the call to "repent and believe the Gospel." Culturally, this was a radical message for the Athenians, who were steeped in philosophy and polytheism. Theologically, repentance involves a change of mind and heart, turning away from sin and toward God, as emphasized in2 Peter 3:9, which states that God is patient, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Paul the ApostleThe speaker of this verse, Paul is addressing the people of Athens at the Areopagus, a prominent rock outcropping located northwest of the Acropolis in Athens, Greece. He is known for his missionary journeys and his role in spreading the Gospel to the Gentiles.
2.
AthensA major city in ancient Greece, known for its rich history in philosophy, arts, and democracy. It was a center of learning and culture during Paul's time.
3.
AreopagusA council or court in Athens where matters of law, philosophy, and religion were discussed. Paul uses this platform to introduce the Athenians to the Christian God.
4.
RepentanceA central theme in Paul's message, calling for a change of mind and heart, turning away from sin and towards God.
5.
Ignorance of Earlier TimesRefers to the period before the revelation of Jesus Christ, when people were unaware of the full truth of God's plan for salvation.
Teaching Points
God's Patience and ForbearanceGod, in His mercy, overlooked past ignorance, showing His patience and desire for all to come to the knowledge of truth.
Universal Call to RepentanceThe command to repent is not limited to a specific group but extends to all people everywhere, emphasizing the universal nature of the Gospel.
Change of Mind and HeartRepentance involves a transformation of one's mind and heart, turning away from sin and towards God, which is essential for a relationship with Him.
Urgency of the MessageThe call to repentance is immediate and urgent, as it is a command from God, not merely a suggestion.
Role of the BelieverAs followers of Christ, believers are called to share this message of repentance and salvation with others, following Paul's example.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Acts 17:30?
2.How does Acts 17:30 emphasize God's call for repentance in our lives?
3.What does "overlooked the ignorance" reveal about God's patience and expectations for us?
4.How can we apply the command to repent in our daily walk with Christ?
5.How does Acts 17:30 connect with 2 Peter 3:9 about God's patience and repentance?
6.In what ways can we encourage others to heed God's call to repentance today?
7.What does Acts 17:30 mean by "overlooked the times of ignorance"?
8.How does Acts 17:30 challenge the concept of divine justice?
9.Why does God command all people to repent in Acts 17:30?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Acts 17?
11.Can God's sovereignty coexist with human free will?
12.What defines Hyper-Calvinism?
13.What does the Bible say about ignorance of sin?
14.What does it mean to be predestined?What Does Acts 17:30 Mean
God overlooked the ignorance of earlier times- Paul is speaking to Athenians steeped in idolatry, reminding them that “Although God overlooked the ignorance of earlier times” (Acts 17:30).
- “Overlooked” does not mean that sin was excused; it means God showed incredible patience, withholding full judgment until the fuller revelation of Christ.
•Acts 14:16 echoes this: “In past generations He allowed all nations to walk in their ways.”
•Romans 3:25 explains that, in His forbearance, God “passed over the sins committed beforehand.”
- This divine patience highlights God’s mercy and points to His plan unfolding through history (2 Peter 3:9).
He now commands- The shift from patience to command marks a decisive moment in salvation history. The coming, death, and resurrection of Jesus have ushered in a new era of accountability.
•Luke 24:47: “Repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all nations.”
•1 John 3:23 reinforces the seriousness: “This is His command: that we should believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ.”
- A command, not a suggestion. God requires a response to the gospel; neutrality is no longer an option (John 3:18).
All people everywhere- God’s universal command leaves no room for favoritism or exclusion.
•John 3:16 proclaims God’s love for “the world.”
•Romans 3:22-23 reminds us that “there is no distinction, for all have sinned.”
•1 Timothy 2:4 says God “desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
- From devout Jew to Greek philosopher, every person is summoned to take God seriously.
To repent- Repentance is far more than regret; it is a Spirit-enabled turning from sin to God, producing visible change.
•Acts 2:38: “Repent and be baptized…for the forgiveness of your sins.”
•Acts 3:19: “Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away.”
•Luke 13:3: “Unless you repent, you too will all perish.”
- Genuine repentance includes:
• Admitting sin and guilt before a holy God.
• Trusting in Christ’s finished work for forgiveness (Acts 20:21).
• Choosing a new direction empowered by the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 7:10).
summaryActs 17:30 teaches that God’s earlier patience toward human ignorance has given way to a clear, universal command: every person must repent. The resurrection of Jesus Christ has ended the era of excuse and opened the door of grace to all who will turn from sin and receive Him.
(30)
And the times of this ignorance God winked at.--Better, perhaps,
overlooked,the English phrase, though vivid, being somewhat too familiar, and suggesting; strictly taken, not merely tolerance, but connivance and concurrence. The thought is one in which St. Paul manifestly found comfort. He sees in that ignorance a mitigation of the guilt, and therefore of the punishment due to the heathen world. The past history of the world had shown a praetermission of the sins, for which, on the condition of repentance, men were now offered a full remission. (See Note on
Romans 3:25.) In thus teaching he was reproducing what our Lord had taught as to the servant who "knew not his Lord's will," and should therefore be beaten, but with "few stripes." (See Note on
Luke 12:48.)
And now commandeth all men every where to repent.--At this point the feelings of both Stoics and Epicureans would almost inevitably undergo a change. The latter might regret the mistakes he had made in his search after themaximum of enjoyment, but a change such as the Greek for "repentance" implied--new aims and purposes, loathing of the past and efforts for the future--was altogether alien to his thoughts. From the Stoics, as measured by Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius, better things might perhaps have been expected, but the doctrine of Necessity, which entered largely into popular Stoicism, blunted their sense of responsibility. They accepted the consequences of their actions with a serene apathy; for the most part, they gave thanks, as the philosophic Emperor did, that they were not as other men, and that the events of their life had led them to an ethical completeness; but the idea of abhorring themselves, and repenting in dust and ashes, had not as yet dawned on the Stoic's thoughts. (Meditt. i. 1-16.)
Verse 30. - The
times of ignorance therefore God overlooked for
and the times of this ignorance God winked at, A.V.;
he commandeth for
commandeth, A.V.; men for
all men, A.V.;
that they should all everywhere repent for
everywhere to repent, A.V. and T.R.
The times of ignorance; perhaps with reference to ver. 23, and also implying that all the idolatry, of which he had spoken in ver. 29, arose from ignorance.
God overlooked; or, as it is idiomatically expressed in the A.V.,
winked at; made as if he did not see it; "kept silence," as it is said in
Psalm 50:21; made no move to punish it.
That they should all everywhere. The gospel is for the whole world- "Their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world" (
Romans 10:18); "Preach the gospel to every creature" (
Mark 16:15).
Repent. The key-note of the gospel (
Matthew 3:2;
Matthew 4:17;
Acts 20:21).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
Althoughμὲν(men)Particle
Strong's 3303:A primary particle; properly, indicative of affirmation or concession; usually followed by a contrasted clause with de.GodΘεὸς(Theos)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316:A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.overlookedὑπεριδὼν(hyperidōn)Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5237:To overlook, take no notice of, disregard. From huper and eido; to overlook, i.e. Not punish.theτῆς(tēs)Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.ignoranceἀγνοίας(agnoias)Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 52:Ignorance, inadvertence, sometimes with the idea of willful blindness. From agnoeo; ignorance.ofΤοὺς(Tous)Article - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.[earlier] times,χρόνους(chronous)Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5550:A space of time or interval; by extension, an individual opportunity; by implication, delay.He now commandsπαραγγέλλει(parangellei)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3853:To notify, command, charge, entreat solemnly. From para and the base of aggelos; to transmit a message, i.e. to enjoin.allπάντας(pantas)Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3956:All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.menἀνθρώποις(anthrōpois)Noun - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 444:A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.everywhereπανταχοῦ(pantachou)Adverb
Strong's 3837:Everywhere, in all places. Genitive case of a presumed derivative of pas; universally.to repent.μετανοεῖν(metanoein)Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 3340:From meta and noieo; to think differently or afterwards, i.e. Reconsider.
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NT Apostles: Acts 17:30 The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked (Acts of the Apostles Ac) 
