Atos 14

Atos 14

Barnes explains the phrase go their own ways meant that God allowed them "to conduct themselves without the restraints and instructions of a written law. They were permitted to follow their own reason and passions, and their own system of religion. God gave them no written laws, and sent to them no messengers. (Notes on the New Testament) Acts 14:17 and yet He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness." KJV Acts 14:17 Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness. NET Acts 14:17 yet he did not leave himself without a witness by doing good, by giving you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying you with food and your hearts with joy." NLT Acts 14:17 but he never left them without evidence of himself and his goodness. For instance, he sends you rain and good crops and gives you food and joyful hearts." He did not leave Himself without witness Acts 17:27,28; Ps 19:1-4; Romans 1:19,20 in that He did good Ps 36:5-7; 52:1; 104:24-28; 145:9,15,16; Luke 6:35 and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons Leviticus 26:4; Deut 11:14; 28:12; 1 Kings 18:1; Job 5:10; 37:6; 38:26-28; Ps 65:9-13; 68:9,10; 147:7,8; Isaiah 5:6; Jeremiah 5:24; 14:22; Matthew 5:45; James 5:17,18 satisfying your hearts with food and gladness Dt 8:12-14; Neh 9:25; Isa 22:13; 1 Ti 6:17 NATURAL REVELATION THE WITNESS OF GOD And yet - A Greek particle (kaitoi) which emphasizes reliability. In this passage Paul refutes the lies inherent in their worship of idols and false gods. He did not leave Himself without witness (Read Ro 1:19,20) - The NLT says that God "never left them without evidence of Himself and His goodness." The witness to which Paul refers is God's work and supervision over nature. The God rejecting world has perverted this awesome divine truth so that most people give credit to "Mother Nature" and not to "Father God!" Can you see then how even a short phrase like "Mother Nature" can obscure the truth about Father God and the fact that He is in complete control of the rains and fruitful seasons? Paul is simply echoing the truth of God's witness in nature as recorded by David, the Spirit inspired writer, in Psalm 19... 1 For the choir director. A Psalm of David. The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. 2 Day to day pours forth speech, And night to night reveals knowledge. 3 There is no speech, nor are there words; Their voice is not heard. 4 Their line has gone out through all the earth, And their utterances to the end of the world. In them He has placed a tent for the sun, 5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber; It rejoices as a strong man to run his course. 6 Its rising is from one end of the heavens, And its circuit to the other end of them; And there is nothing hidden from its heat. In that - Paul now expounds on some specific aspects of His divine witness. Warren W.