Acts 17:29
Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.
Original Language Analysis
γένος
the offspring
G1085
γένος
the offspring
Strong's:
G1085
Word #:
1 of 22
"kin" (abstract or concrete, literal or figurative, individual or collective)
οὖν
Forasmuch then
G3767
οὖν
Forasmuch then
Strong's:
G3767
Word #:
2 of 22
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
ὑπάρχοντες
as we are
G5225
ὑπάρχοντες
as we are
Strong's:
G5225
Word #:
3 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
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ
of God
G2316
θεοῦ
of God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
5 of 22
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ὀφείλομεν
we ought
G3784
ὀφείλομεν
we ought
Strong's:
G3784
Word #:
7 of 22
to owe (pecuniarily); figuratively, to be under obligation (ought, must, should); morally, to fail in duty
νομίζειν
to think
G3543
νομίζειν
to think
Strong's:
G3543
Word #:
8 of 22
properly, to do by law (usage), i.e., to accustom (passively, be usual); by extension, to deem or regard
χρυσῷ
unto gold
G5557
χρυσῷ
unto gold
Strong's:
G5557
Word #:
9 of 22
gold; by extension, a golden article, as an ornament or coin
χαράγματι
graven
G5480
χαράγματι
graven
Strong's:
G5480
Word #:
14 of 22
a scratch or etching, i.e., stamp (as a badge of servitude), or scupltured figure (statue)
τέχνης
by art
G5078
τέχνης
by art
Strong's:
G5078
Word #:
15 of 22
art (as productive), i.e., (specially), a trade, or (generally) skill
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
16 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Isaiah 40:25To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One.Exodus 20:4Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:Psalms 106:20Thus they changed their glory into the similitude of an ox that eateth grass.
Historical Context
Paul spoke on the Areopagus (Mars Hill) circa AD 51 during his second missionary journey. Athens was filled with idols—Pausanias later counted over 30,000 statues in the city. The philosophical schools (Stoics and Epicureans) dominated intellectual discourse, but popular religion centered on elaborate temples to Zeus, Athena, and countless deities, all represented by magnificent statuary that ironically demonstrated human superiority to the gods they supposedly honored.
Questions for Reflection
- What modern 'graven images' do we create—success, ideology, self-image—that reduce God to manageable human categories?
- How does recognizing humanity as God's 'offspring' (image-bearers) both dignify human creativity and expose the absurdity of projecting our limitations onto the infinite God?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God (γένος οὖν ὑπάρχοντες τοῦ θεοῦ)—Paul quotes the pagan poet Aratus ('genos' = race, offspring) to establish common ground, then demolishes idolatry with its own logic. If humans, made in God's image, create art and complex designs, how can the Creator be like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device (χαράγματι τέχνης καὶ ἐνθυμήσεως ἀνθρώπου)?
The Godhead (τὸ θεῖον, 'the divine nature') cannot be reduced to τέχνη (craft, artistic skill) and ἐνθύμησις (human thought, invention). This is the classic a fortiori argument: If offspring transcends inanimate objects, how much more does God transcend human craftsmanship? Paul's Mars Hill sermon reaches its climax—Athenian intellectuals worshiped the effect (human artistry) while denying the ultimate Cause (the living God).