Acts 17:31
Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
Original Language Analysis
ἔστησεν
he hath appointed
G2476
ἔστησεν
he hath appointed
Strong's:
G2476
Word #:
2 of 22
to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively)
ἡμέραν
a day
G2250
ἡμέραν
a day
Strong's:
G2250
Word #:
3 of 22
day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of
ᾧ
the which
G3739
ᾧ
the which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
5 of 22
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
μέλλει
he will
G3195
μέλλει
he will
Strong's:
G3195
Word #:
6 of 22
to intend, i.e., be about to be, do, or suffer something (of persons or things, especially events; in the sense of purpose, duty, necessity, probabili
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οἰκουμένην
the world
G3625
οἰκουμένην
the world
Strong's:
G3625
Word #:
9 of 22
land, i.e., the (terrene part of the) globe; specially, the roman empire
δικαιοσύνῃ
righteousness
G1343
δικαιοσύνῃ
righteousness
Strong's:
G1343
Word #:
11 of 22
equity (of character or act); specially (christian) justification
ᾧ
the which
G3739
ᾧ
the which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
14 of 22
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ὥρισεν
he hath ordained
G3724
ὥρισεν
he hath ordained
Strong's:
G3724
Word #:
15 of 22
to mark out or bound ("horizon"), i.e., (figuratively) to appoint, decree, specify
πίστιν
assurance
G4102
πίστιν
assurance
Strong's:
G4102
Word #:
16 of 22
persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ
παρασχὼν
whereof he hath given
G3930
παρασχὼν
whereof he hath given
Strong's:
G3930
Word #:
17 of 22
to hold near, i.e., present, afford, exhibit, furnish occasion
ἀναστήσας
men in that he hath raised
G450
ἀναστήσας
men in that he hath raised
Strong's:
G450
Word #:
19 of 22
to stand up (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
20 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
Cross References
2 Peter 3:7But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.Psalms 98:9Before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.2 Corinthians 5:10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.Psalms 9:8And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.Psalms 96:13Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.Romans 2:5But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;Romans 2:16In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.1 Corinthians 4:5Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.Acts 4:10Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.Matthew 10:15Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.
Historical Context
Greek philosophy debated immortality but mocked bodily resurrection (v. 32). Paul's Mars Hill sermon climaxes not with philosophical argument but historical fact: God raised Jesus, proving He will judge through Him. This fusion of Jewish eschatology and universal accountability challenged both pagan fatalism and philosophical speculation with concrete, testable historical claims.
Questions for Reflection
- How does certainty of future judgment through Christ affect your daily choices and priorities?
- What comfort and warning does Christ's role as Judge (not an impersonal force) provide to believers?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
He hath appointed a day (καθότι ἔστησεν ἡμέραν)—The perfect tense indicates God's fixed, immutable decree. History moves toward this predetermined moment of universal judgment. In the which he will judge the world in righteousness (ἐν ᾗ μέλλει κρίνειν τὴν οἰκουμένην ἐν δικαιοσύνῃ)—judgment is future certainty ('will judge'), global in scope ('the world'), and morally perfect ('in righteousness').
By that man whom he hath ordained (ἐν ἀνδρὶ ᾧ ὥρισεν)—Jesus, the God-man, is appointed Judge (John 5:22, 27). Paul tactfully calls Him 'that man' to Athenian ears unfamiliar with Jewish Messianism, yet asserts His divine appointment. The climactic proof: whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead (πίστιν παρασχὼν πᾶσιν ἀναστήσας αὐτὸν ἐκ νεκρῶν). Resurrection is God's vindication of Jesus' claims, guarantee of coming judgment, and public evidence ('assurance to all men') demanding universal response.