Acts 17:27
What does Acts 17:27 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 17:27 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 17:27 means
God’s aim in ordering times and places is that people should seek Him, perhaps feel their way and find Him. He is not far from each one. This underscores both responsibility and hope. Creation and providence are designed to stir longing and pursuit, not to leave us groping without possibility of knowing Him. The language conveys honest searching in a dark room that, by grace, can find the One who is near. God is transcendent yet accessible. This nearness challenges indifference and idolatry alike: if He is close, lifeless images are needless, and apathetic curiosity is inexcusable.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000that they should seek God, if haply they might feel after him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us:
KJV
King James Version · 1611That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901that they should seek God, if haply they might feel after him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949So that they might make search for God, in order, if possible, to get knowledge of him and make discovery of him, though he is not far from every one of us:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862to seek the Lord, if perhaps they did feel after Him and find, --though, indeed, He is not far from each one of us,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752That they should seek God, if haply they may feel after him or find him, although he be not far from every one of us.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890that they may seekGod; if indeed they might feel after him and find him, although he is not far from each one of us:
Context
Verse 27 supplies the purpose behind God’s sovereign ordering (verse 26). It bridges to verse 28, where Paul cites familiar poets to affirm humanity’s dependence on God and familial relation as His offspring. That, in turn, supports verse 29’s conclusion that deity is not like crafted metal or stone. The theological flow (verses 24–29) culminates in application (verses 30–31): God formerly overlooked ignorance but now commands repentance because He has appointed a day of judgment and provided assurance through the resurrection.
v.26and he made of one every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed seasons, and the bounds of their habitation;
v.27This passage
v.28for in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain even of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Kings 8:27
But will God in very deed dwell on the earth? behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded!
- Acts 14:17
And yet he left not himself without witness, in that he did good and gave you from heaven rains and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness.
- Jeremiah 23:23
Am I a God at hand, saith Jehovah, and not a God afar off?
- Psalms 139:1
O Jehovah, thou hast searched me, and knownme.
- Romans 1:20
For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse:
- Acts 15:17
That the residue of men may seek after the Lord, And all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called,
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