To the Stoic and Epicurean philosophers of Paul’s day, the “gods” they worshiped had been relegated and degraded to a piece of wood, metal or stone (Acts 17:29). They were lifeless entities that could do absolutely nothing for them in their time of need (cf. Jeremiah 10:14; Habakkuk 2:18-19; Isaiah 45:20; Isaiah 46:5-7).
By using the writings of their own poets such as Aratus and Cleanthes, Paul points out to these philosophers, that if they are the offspring of the true and living God as their own poets have documented, they shouldn’t degrade themselves nor Him, by limiting Him to a man-made form consisting of mere wood, metal or stone (Acts 17:24,29). And noting all of their temples which contained these man-made gods (or idols), Paul also points out that the true and living God does not dwell in temples “made with hands,” nor is He worshiped with anything that man has made (Acts 17:24-25).
By using the above illustrations, Paul is pointing out that (1) God cannot be limited to the physical plane of this earth (Acts 17:24); (2) God does not need "anything" from man (Acts 17:25); (3) God has not abandoned His offspring because “in Him we live and move and have our being“ (Acts 17:28). How far away was God to the philosophers of Paul’s day? As far as their next breath (Acts 17:28 – note the words “live, move, being”). Thus, this fact alone should have motivated them to willingly “seek the Lord” (Acts 17:27), and it should motivate us as well.
Beloved, we are truly “seeking the Lord” when we “seek Him with all our heart and with all our soul” (Deuteronomy 4:29). How far away is God? Let the Psalmist answer: “The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth” (Psalm 145:18; cf. Deuteronomy 4:7).
—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets
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