Acts 17:24
God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεὸς
God
G2316
θεὸς
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
2 of 22
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ποιήσας
that made
G4160
ποιήσας
that made
Strong's:
G4160
Word #:
4 of 22
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κόσμον
the world
G2889
κόσμον
the world
Strong's:
G2889
Word #:
6 of 22
orderly arrangement, i.e., decoration; by implication, the world (including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally))
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
7 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτῷ
G846
αὐτῷ
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
11 of 22
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
οὗτος
seeing that he
G3778
οὗτος
seeing that he
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
12 of 22
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
οὐρανοῦ
of heaven
G3772
οὐρανοῦ
of heaven
Strong's:
G3772
Word #:
13 of 22
the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of god); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the gospel (christianity)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
14 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
γῆς
earth
G1093
γῆς
earth
Strong's:
G1093
Word #:
15 of 22
soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)
κύριος
Lord
G2962
κύριος
Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
16 of 22
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
ὑπάρχων
is
G5225
ὑπάρχων
is
Strong's:
G5225
Word #:
17 of 22
to begin under (quietly), i.e., come into existence (be present or at hand); expletively, to exist (as copula or subordinate to an adjective, particip
Cross References
1 Kings 8:27But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?Deuteronomy 10:14Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the LORD'S thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is.Acts 7:48Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet,Isaiah 66:1Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?2 Chronicles 6:18But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth? behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house which I have built!Matthew 11:25At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.Psalms 115:16The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD'S: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.2 Chronicles 2:6But who is able to build him an house, seeing the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain him? who am I then, that I should build him an house, save only to burn sacrifice before him?Revelation 20:11And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.Acts 4:24And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:
Historical Context
Paul spoke at the Areopagus (Mars Hill) circa AD 50, the Athenian council court where philosophy and religion were debated. Athens was filled with temples and shrines to countless deities, including an altar 'to the unknown god' (v. 23). Paul's sermon strategically engages Greek philosophy while subverting it with biblical theology, quoting pagan poets to redirect them to the true Creator.
Questions for Reflection
- How does recognizing God as Creator and Lord challenge modern attempts to domesticate or control Him through religious performance?
- What 'temples made with hands' might you be relying on instead of encountering the transcendent, self-sufficient God Paul proclaimed?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
God that made the world and all things therein (ὁ θεὸς ὁ ποιήσας τὸν κόσμον)—Paul's Areopagus address begins with divine transcendence. The verb poiēsas (made/created) echoes Genesis 1:1 in the Septuagint, establishing the God of Israel as Creator against Stoic pantheism and Epicurean deism. Lord of heaven and earth (κύριος ὑπάρχων οὐρανοῦ καὶ γῆς) asserts absolute sovereignty—the same kyrios title applied to Caesar, now claimed for Yahweh alone.
Dwelleth not in temples made with hands (οὐκ ἐν χειροποιήτοις ναοῖς κατοικεῖ)—Paul directly challenges both pagan shrines and Jewish misunderstanding of the temple. The term cheiropoiētois (hand-made) appears in Stephen's speech (7:48) and Hebrews 9:11, contrasting human-crafted sanctuaries with God's self-sufficiency. This demolishes the Athenian assumption that deity can be contained or manipulated through architecture—the very idolatry that provoked Paul (v. 16).