Acts 14:17
Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἑαυτὸν
himself
G1438
ἑαυτὸν
himself
Strong's:
G1438
Word #:
6 of 22
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
ἀγαθοποιῶν,
in that he did good
G15
ἀγαθοποιῶν,
in that he did good
Strong's:
G15
Word #:
8 of 22
to be a well-doer (as a favor or a duty)
διδοὺς
and gave
G1325
διδοὺς
and gave
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
12 of 22
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
13 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐμπιπλῶν
filling
G1705
ἐμπιπλῶν
filling
Strong's:
G1705
Word #:
16 of 22
to fill in (up), i.e., (by implication) to satisfy (literally or figuratively)
τροφῆς
with food
G5160
τροφῆς
with food
Strong's:
G5160
Word #:
17 of 22
nourishment (literally or figuratively); by implication, rations (wages)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
18 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὰς
G3588
τὰς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Job 5:10Who giveth rain upon the earth, and sendeth waters upon the fields:Joel 2:23Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.Deuteronomy 11:14That I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil.Isaiah 5:6And I will lay it waste: it shall not be pruned, nor digged; but there shall come up briers and thorns: I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it.Psalms 145:9The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.Jeremiah 5:24Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the LORD our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: he reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest.Deuteronomy 28:12The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.Ezekiel 34:26And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing.Leviticus 26:4Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit.
Historical Context
Paul's appeal to creation's witness suited a pagan agricultural audience in Lystra. Unlike his synagogue sermons grounded in Old Testament, this speech employs natural theology, pioneering the church's later engagement with pagan philosophy while maintaining gospel distinctives.
Questions for Reflection
- How does creation's witness to God provide evangelistic starting points with those outside biblical tradition?
- In what ways have you seen God's 'doing good' prepare hearts for gospel reception?
Analysis & Commentary
He left not himself without witness (οὐκ ἀμάρτυρον αὑτὸν ἀφῆκεν)—Despite nations walking in their own ways, God provided general revelation through creation. The rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons (ὑετοὺς...καιροὺς καρποφόρους) demonstrate providential care, echoing Psalm 145:15-16 and anticipating Romans 1:20's testimony of creation. The Greek agathourgeō (doing good) describes God's beneficent character revealed through common grace.
Filling our hearts with food and gladness (ἐμπιπλῶν τροφῆς καὶ εὐφροσύνης) appeals to universal human experience—everyone has tasted God's goodness, whether acknowledged or not. This natural theology provides evangelistic common ground without compromising special revelation's necessity.