by David Phelps

“Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person.” – Mother Teresa

November, 2025

While Paul was waiting in Athens for his friends, Silas and Timothy, he saw idols everywhere, and he was troubled (Acts 17:16). He began debating theology in the synagogue and marketplace with whoever would listen (vs. 17). He talked about Jesus and the resurrection (vs. 18b). Some local philosophers brought him to the Areopagus, a council of advisors in charge of cultural and religious matters (vs. 19a). They asked Paul, “‘May we know what this new teaching is that you are proclaiming?’” (vs. 19b New English Translation). But they weren’t just curious or seeking information. The Areopagus was also a place known as “Mars Hill,” and there was a pagan temple there where criminal trials were held. They were asking Paul to present a defense.

Paul addressed the Areopagus and said, “‘Men of Athens, I see that you are very religious in all respects.’” (vs. 22b NET). The word translated “very religious” is the Greek word “deisidaimonesterous.” It literally means “god fearing” or “demon fearing.” It can also be translated as “superstitious.” So, depending on the interpretation, Paul was either complimenting the men of the Areopagus or mocking them.

He continued, “‘I even found an altar with this inscription: “To an unknown god.”’” (vs. 23b NET). He told them this was the god he was talking about, not a new god, but one they already worshiped without knowing (vs. 23b). He told them his God had created the entire universe and didn’t need anything from humans (vs. 24-25). He told them his God couldn’t be captured by human hands or human imagination (vs. 29).

Finally, in verses 30-31, Paul told them that God had been patient, overlooking their ignorance, but a time of judgment was coming. He said God had proved Jesus was who he claimed to be by raising him from the dead, and now it was time to repent. “Now when they heard about the resurrection from the dead, some began to scoff, but others said, ‘We will hear you again about this.’” (vs. 32 NET). Then they let him go on his way. And some followed him and believed (vs. 34).

The question for us becomes, if God doesn’t need anything from us, how do we serve a God who doesn’t need us? About five years after his experience in Athens, Paul wrote to the Christians in Rome with his own prescription: “Therefore I exhort you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a sacrifice—alive, holy, and pleasing to God—which is your reasonable service.” (Rom. 12:1 NET). The word translated “reasonable” is the Greek word “logikēn.” It refers to something that is simply logical.

God sent prophets to show us the way and loved us so much that God proved it by becoming one of us, allowing us to kill him, and then rising from the dead. While God was here as Jesus, he fed the hungry, healed the sick, showed compassion to the outcast, and gave everything for us.

Martin Luther wrote, “God doesn’t need your good works but your neighbor does.” Our neighbors have physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. They need to hear that God hasn’t abandoned them, and neither have we. Jesus didn’t see beggars, women with questionable pasts, or “sinners.” He saw God reflected. When God looks at us, God doesn’t see sin or failure; God sees a beloved child.

Paul called on the people of Athens to repent, to stop seeing through old eyes. He told the Romans, “Do not be conformed to this present world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,” (Rom. 12:2a NET). The men of the Areopagus expected Paul to conform to their ideas. They didn’t know he had already been transformed by his encounter with Christ (Acts 9:1-22).

When we repent, the process of transformation begins, and we begin to see through God’s eyes. Paul wasn’t talking about a new God but a new way of thinking. Today, Jesus calls us to adopt a new way of thinking, a new way of seeing, and serving our neighbors.


“‘For even the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’” (Mark 10:45 NET.)


(Based on a sermon I preached on October 5, 2025)


Copyright © 2025 by David Phelps