Act 17:26-31 | NET2full | STEP | From one man he made every nation of the human race to inhabit the entire earth , determining their set times and the fixed limits of the places where they would live ,

Acts 17:26-31

26 From one man ^{▼▼sn The one man refers to Adam (the word “man” is understood).} he made every nation of the human race ^{▼▼tn Or “mankind.” BDAG 276 s.v. ἔθνος 1 has “every nation of humankind Ac 17:26.”} to inhabit the entire earth, ^{▼▼tn Grk “to live over all the face of the earth.”} determining their set times ^{▼▼tn BDAG 884-85 s.v. προστάσσω has “(οἱ) προστεταγμένοι καιροί (the) fixed times Ac 17:26” here, but since the following phrase is also translated “fixed limits,” this would seem redundant in English, so the word “set” has been used instead.} and the fixed limits of the places where they would live, ^{▼▼tn Grk “the boundaries of their habitation.” L&N 80.5 has “fixed limits of the places where they would live” for this phrase.} 27 so that they would search for God and perhaps grope around ^{▼▼tn See BDAG 1097-98 s.v. ψηλαφάω, which lists “touch, handle” and “to feel around for, grope for” as possible meanings.} for him and find him, ^{▼▼sn Perhaps grope around for him and find him. The pagans’ struggle to know God is the point here. Conscience alone is not good enough.} though he is ^{▼▼tn The participle ὑπάρχοντα (huparchonta) has been translated as a concessive adverbial participle.} not far from each one of us. 28 For in him we live and move about ^{▼▼tn According to L&N 15.1, “A strictly literal translation of κινέω in Ac 17:28 might imply merely moving from one place to another. The meaning, however, is generalized movement and activity; therefore, it may be possible to translate κινούμεθα as ‘we come and go’ or ‘we move about’ or even ‘we do what we do.’”} and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we too are his offspring.’ ^{▼▼sn This quotation is from Aratus (ca. 310-245 b.c.), Phaenomena 5. Paul asserted a general relationship and accountability to God for all humanity.} 29 So since we are God’s offspring, we should not think the deity ^{▼▼tn Or “the divine being.” BDAG 446 s.v. θεῖος 1.b has “divine being, divinity” here.} is like gold or silver or stone, an image ^{▼▼tn Or “a likeness.” Again idolatry is directly attacked as an affront to God and a devaluation of him.} made by human ^{▼▼tn Grk “by the skill and imagination of man,” but ἀνθρώπου (anthrōpou) has been translated as an attributive genitive.} skill ^{▼▼tn Or “craftsmanship” (cf. BDAG 1001 s.v. τέχνη).} and imagination. ^{▼▼tn Or “thought.” BDAG 336 s.v. ἐνθύμησις has “thought, reflection, idea” as the category of meaning here, but in terms of creativity (as in the context) the imaginative faculty is in view.} 30 Therefore, although God has overlooked ^{▼▼tn Or “has deliberately paid no attention to.”} such times of ignorance, ^{▼▼tn Or “times when people did not know.”} he now commands all people ^{▼▼tn Here ἀνθρώποις (anthrōpois) has been translated as a generic noun (“people”).} everywhere to repent, ^{▼▼sn He now commands all people everywhere to repent. God was now asking all mankind to turn to him. No nation or race was excluded.} 31 because he has set ^{▼▼tn Or “fixed.”} a day on which he is going to judge the world ^{▼▼sn The world refers to the whole inhabited earth.} in righteousness, by a man whom he designated, ^{▼▼tn Or “appointed.” BDAG 723 s.v. ὁρίζω 2.b has “of persons appoint, designate, declare: God judges the world ἐν ἀνδρὶ ᾧ ὥρισεν through a man whom he has appointed Ac 17:31.”} ^{▼▼sn A man whom he designated. Jesus is put in the position of eschatological judge. As judge of the living and the dead, he possesses divine authority (Acts 10:42).} having provided proof to everyone by raising ^{▼▼tn The participle ἀναστήσας (anastēsas) indicates means here.} him from the dead.”