Acts 17:30
And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
Original Language Analysis
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μὲν
And
G3303
μὲν
And
Strong's:
G3303
Word #:
2 of 17
properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with g1161 (this one, the former, etc.)
οὖν
G3767
χρόνους
the times
G5550
χρόνους
the times
Strong's:
G5550
Word #:
4 of 17
a space of time (in general, and thus properly distinguished from g2540, which designates a fixed or special occasion; and from g0165, which denotes a
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεὸς
God
G2316
θεὸς
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
9 of 17
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
νῦν
G3568
νῦν
Strong's:
G3568
Word #:
11 of 17
"now" (as adverb of date, a transition or emphasis); also as noun or adjective present or immediate
παραγγέλλει
commandeth
G3853
παραγγέλλει
commandeth
Strong's:
G3853
Word #:
12 of 17
to transmit a message, i.e., (by implication) to enjoin
Cross References
Acts 14:16Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.Luke 24:47And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.1 Peter 4:3For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:Romans 3:25Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;Acts 3:19Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;Psalms 50:21These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes.Acts 17:23For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.Acts 11:18When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.Acts 20:21Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.Mark 6:12And they went out, and preached that men should repent.
Historical Context
Spoken to Athenian philosophers on Mars Hill (Areopagus) circa AD 50. Athens worshiped countless gods and prided itself on philosophical sophistication. Paul's declaration that their 'ignorance' required repentance offended Greek intellectual pride—they sought wisdom, but Paul proclaimed moral accountability before the Creator God they didn't acknowledge.
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding repentance as God's command (not mere option) affect your urgency in calling others to Christ?
- In what areas of your life might you be relying on 'ignorance' as an excuse rather than genuinely repenting?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The times of this ignorance God winked at (τοὺς μὲν οὖν χρόνους τῆς ἀγνοίας ὑπεριδὼν ὁ θεός)—The verb winked at (ὑπεριδών, hyperidōn) means 'overlooked' or 'passed over,' not that God approved pagan idolatry but that He withheld immediate judgment during the pre-Christ era (Romans 3:25-26). Ignorance (ἀγνοία) acknowledges humanity's culpable unknowing—not innocent ignorance but willful suppression of truth (Romans 1:18-23).
But now (τὰ νῦν) marks the decisive shift brought by Christ's coming. God commandeth all men every where to repent (παραγγέλλει τοῖς ἀνθρώποις πάντας πανταχοῦ μετανοεῖν)—universal scope ('all,' 'everywhere') and imperative mood ('commandeth'). Repent (μετανοεῖν, metanoein) means 'change one's mind,' involving intellectual acknowledgment of sin, emotional sorrow, and volitional turning to God. This isn't suggestion but divine command with eternal consequences.