Acts 17:15
And they that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timotheus for to come to him with all speed, they departed.
Original Language Analysis
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καθιστῶντες
they that conducted
G2525
καθιστῶντες
they that conducted
Strong's:
G2525
Word #:
3 of 24
to place down (permanently), i.e., (figuratively) to designate, constitute, convoy
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Παῦλον
Paul
G3972
Παῦλον
Paul
Strong's:
G3972
Word #:
5 of 24
(little; but remotely from a derivative of g3973, meaning the same); paulus, the name of a roman and of an apostle
ἤγαγον
brought
G71
ἤγαγον
brought
Strong's:
G71
Word #:
6 of 24
properly, to lead; by implication, to bring, drive, (reflexively) go, (specially) pass (time), or (figuratively) induce
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
7 of 24
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἕως
unto
G2193
ἕως
unto
Strong's:
G2193
Word #:
8 of 24
a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 24
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
λαβόντες
receiving
G2983
λαβόντες
receiving
Strong's:
G2983
Word #:
11 of 24
while g0138 is more violent, to seize or remove))
ἐντολὴν
a commandment
G1785
ἐντολὴν
a commandment
Strong's:
G1785
Word #:
12 of 24
injunction, i.e., an authoritative prescription
πρὸς
to
G4314
πρὸς
to
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
13 of 24
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
16 of 24
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὡς
with all speed
G5613
ὡς
with all speed
Strong's:
G5613
Word #:
19 of 24
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
τάχιστα
G5033
τάχιστα
Strong's:
G5033
Word #:
20 of 24
most quickly, i.e., (with g5613 prefixed) as soon as possible
ἔλθωσιν
come
G2064
ἔλθωσιν
come
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
21 of 24
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
πρὸς
to
G4314
πρὸς
to
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
22 of 24
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
Cross References
Acts 18:1After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;Acts 18:5And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.1 Thessalonians 3:1Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone;
Historical Context
Athens in the 1st century AD had declined from its classical glory but remained the philosophical hub of the Roman Empire. Paul likely arrived around AD 51 during his second missionary journey. The city boasted numerous temples and philosophical schools, making it simultaneously one of the most educated and most idolatrous cities Paul encountered.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Paul's urgent summons for Silas and Timothy challenge modern notions of "lone ranger" Christianity?
- What can we learn from Paul entering Athens alone before his team arrives about courage in evangelistic opportunities?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And they that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens—Paul's escorts from Berea delivered him to Athens, the intellectual capital of the ancient world, city of Plato, Aristotle, and Socrates. The verb kathistēmi (καθίστημι, "to bring down, conduct") suggests careful guidance to safety after the violent opposition in Berea (v. 13).
Receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timotheus for to come to him with all speed (ἐντολὴν λαβόντες, entolēn labontes, "having received orders")—Paul's isolation was temporary by design. Though the apostle stood alone before the Areopagus philosophers, he urgently summoned his ministry team. Even Paul, the great apostle, recognized the necessity of Christian fellowship and collaborative ministry. The phrase "with all speed" (hōs tachistos, ὡς τάχιστος) reveals Paul's pastoral heart—alone in hostile territory, he longed for his brothers.