Acts Chapter 17 · Verse 34
Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
Original Language Analysis
κολληθέντες
clave
G2853
κολληθέντες
clave
Strong's:
G2853
Word #:
4 of 20
to glue, i.e., (passively or reflexively) to stick (figuratively)
αὐτοῖς
them
G846
αὐτοῖς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
5 of 20
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
ἐπίστευσαν
and believed
G4100
ἐπίστευσαν
and believed
Strong's:
G4100
Word #:
6 of 20
to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to ch
οἷς
the which
G3739
οἷς
the which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
8 of 20
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
9 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἀρεοπαγίτης
the Areopagite
G698
Ἀρεοπαγίτης
the Areopagite
Strong's:
G698
Word #:
12 of 20
an areopagite or member of the court held on mars' hill
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
13 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὀνόματι
named
G3686
ὀνόματι
named
Strong's:
G3686
Word #:
15 of 20
a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
17 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Historical Context
The Areopagus was composed of about 30 wealthy, educated men who served as guardians of Athenian religion and morality. For Dionysius to believe required abandoning not just intellectual positions but significant social capital and religious responsibilities. Damaris's mention by name suggests she wasn't merely a household member but a person of independent standing—possibly a wealthy patroness or educated woman who attended philosophical lectures (unusual but not unheard of in cosmopolitan Athens).
Questions for Reflection
- How does the conversion of a prominent official like Dionysius challenge assumptions about who is 'too educated' or 'too intellectual' for the gospel?
- What does Luke's careful naming of both Dionysius and Damaris teach us about the equal value of male and female converts in the early church?
- Why might God honor small beginnings (a handful of converts) as much as mass movements, and how does this reshape ministry evaluation?
Analysis & Commentary
Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed—Despite Athens' overall resistance, some converts emerged. The verb kollēthentes (κολληθέντες) means 'joined closely, adhered to'—the same word used for marriage (Matthew 19:5) and for cleaving to the Lord (Acts 5:13, 10:28). These believers didn't merely assent intellectually; they attached themselves to Paul and the Christian community.
Among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite—Dionysius held a position on the prestigious Areopagus council, making him a man of significant social standing. His conversion demonstrates that the gospel transcends class boundaries. A woman named Damaris is mentioned by name (unusual in ancient texts), suggesting she was a person of some prominence—possibly a God-fearer or philosopher in her own right. The inclusion of others with them (ἕτεροι σὺν αὐτοῖς, heteroi sun autois) hints at a small nucleus for what may have become a church, though Acts doesn't record Paul returning to Athens.