There was in all this something that profoundly disturbed (continued)
indignation at the heathen priests who led the people such an endless trace of idolatry, and at their philosophers, who knew better things, and yet never said a word against it, but themselves went down the stream.
It is well that we remember how St. Paul conducted himself in the testimony he bore against their idolatry, and in his endeavours to bring them to the knowledge of the truth. He did not, in the heat of his zeal, break into the temples, pull down their images, demolish their altars, or fly in the face of their priests. Neither did he run about the streets crying, "You are all the bond-slaves of the devil', though it was too true. But he observed a decorum, and kept himself within due bounds, doing that only which becomes a prudent man.
(a) He went into the synagogue of the Fews. These, though they were enemies to Christianity, were free from idolatry, and Paul joined with them in that among them which was good, and took the opportunity given him there of disputing for Christ (Acts xvii. 17). He discoursed with the Jews, reasoned with them fairly, and put it to them, what reason they could give why, since they expected the Messiah, they would not receive Jesus. There he met with the devout persons who had forsaken the idol temples, but who had rested within the Jews' synagogue. He talked with these to lead them on to the Christian Church, to which the Jews' synagogue was but as a porch.
(6) He entered into conversation with all that came in his way about matters of religion. ''In the market"', in the exchange or place of commerce, he disputed daily as he had occasion, with them that met him, or that he happened into company with, that were heathen, and never came to the Jews' synagogue. The zealous advocates for the cause of Christ will be ready to plead it in all companies as occasion offers.
5. IDOLATRY IN THE CHURCH
For all their secular learning of which Athens was the seat, Paul shows them that they needed to be instructed themselves in the knowledge of the one true God.
So neither law nor learning is a safeguard against idolatry, and it is presumptuous even of Christians to assume that they can consort with idolators and remain in no danger from idolatry. St. Paul in 1 Corinthians x. 19 ff. argues against the Corinthian Christians who believed themselves to be immune