Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

AREOPAGUS

(Gk. Áreios págos)
(also MARS HILL)

A rocky hill ca. 115 m. (377 ft.) high, near the Acropolis and Agora in Athens, whose name was derived from the Greek god of war Ares (also called Mars Hill after the Roman Mars). Areopagus also refers to the council that once met on the above- named hill. (This council retained the name even after moving its meeting to the Royal Stoa.) The Areopagus’ authority vacillated throughout time, but during the Roman era it was responsible for various educational and philosophical/religious concerns as well as legal matters such as forgery and standards of measurement.

Epicurean and Stoic philosophers brought Paul to the Areopagus for a hearing after he debated with Jews and God-fearers in the synagogue and Agora (Acts 17:16-21). Scholars are divided as to which use of Areopagus Acts refers. Paul spoke as a skilled debater, and even though he did not convince the multitude, some Athenians did believe in Christ (Acts 17:22-34).

Bibliography. F. F. Bruce, The Book of the Acts, rev. ed. NICNT (Grand Rapids, 1988); H. J. Cadbury, The Book of Acts in History (London, 1955); F. Stagg, The Book of Acts: The Early Struggle for an Unhindered Gospel (Nashville, 1956).

Steven L. Cox

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

AREOPAGUS

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)