Paul in Athens

Who escorted Paul on the ship to Athens?
At least two ("those") people, almost certainly men, from Berea who had heard the Gospel and believed it to become "brethren" (Acts 17:14).

Who commanded them to send Silas and Timothy to Athens?
Paul, who wanted them to join him in Athens "with all speed" (Acts 17:15).

Then why didn't Silas and Timothy just accompany Paul to Athens?
Besides ministering to the church just planted in Berea, they may have served as decoys to throw the Jews from Thessalonica off Paul's trail and facilitate his escape. Upon arrival in Athens, Paul also could have seen the need for Silas and Timothy to minister with him in what is southern Greece, where Athens is.

What was Athens (Acts 17:16) like in the 1st century AD?
While Rome was the political and entertainment capital of the Roman Empire, Athens was the intellectual and cultural capital of the Roman Empire, which had adopted the Greek culture and language. Athens was culturally 'advanced,' socially sophisticated, and esthetically beautiful, like many major cities today.

Was Paul impressed with Athens' beauty and sophistication?
"His spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was given over to idols" (Acts 17:16).

What are idols?
Idols can be identified at three levels. First, idols are man-made objects of worship, from small figurines to the massive gold and ivory statue of Athena that was inside the Parthenon in Athens: "You shall not make idols for yourselves; neither a carved image nor a sacred pillar shall you rear up for yourselves; nor shall you set up an engraved stone in your land, to bow down to it; for I am the LORD your God" (Leviticus 26:1). Second, idols include the demons linked to such man-made objects of worship: "But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk" (Revelation 9:20). Third, idols are anything that people have put in their hearts that makes them sin: "And the word of the LORD came to me, saying, “Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their hearts, and put before them that which causes them to stumble into iniquity. Should I let Myself be inquired of at all by them? “Therefore speak to them, and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Everyone of the house of Israel who sets up his idols in his heart, and puts before him what causes him to stumble into iniquity, and then comes to the prophet, I the LORD will answer him who comes, according to the multitude of his idols, that I may seize the house of Israel by their heart, because they are all estranged from Me by their idols." (Ezekiel 14:2-5)

Why was Paul's spirit provoked over the idols in Athens?
The spirit in Paul was the Holy Spirit. The spirit in the idols were demons. The Holy Spirit in Paul was provoked by demons being worshipped instead of the one true God being worshipped.

What does it mean to be "provoked" (Acts 17:16)?
παρωξυνετο (paroxyneto), the original Greek verb translated "provoked," means to become upset or stirred to anger, so the reaction was neither mild nor just intellectual. Paul became upset and angry that the glory due God was being directed at demons.

What is the consequence of idolatry in heart?
Being cut off by God Himself: "Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Repent, turn away from your idols, and turn your faces away from all your abominations. For anyone of the house of Israel, or of the strangers who dwell in Israel, who separates himself from Me and sets up his idols in his heart and puts before him what causes him to stumble into iniquity, then comes to a prophet to inquire of him concerning Me, I the LORD will answer him by Myself. I will set My face against that man and make him a sign and a proverb, and I will cut him off from the midst of My people. Then you shall know that I am the LORD." (Ezekiel 14:6-8)

What are the idols in your heart?
 

What did Paul do when his spirit was provoked?
He went to the synagogue and to the market - the largest gathering place - of Athens "daily" to speak out against idolatry - "Therefore he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with the gentile worshipers, and in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there" (Acts 17:17) - and to share the Gospel about "Jesus and the resurrection" (Acts 17:18).

In a glittering, sophisticated and idolatrous place or crowd, are you impressed or provoked? 
 

If provoked, do you share the Gospel with the sophisticates and warn them about their idolatry?
 

Who were "Epicureans and Stoic philosophers" (Acts 17:18)?
Epicureans followed the teachings of Epicurus, a 3rd century BC Athenian who championed a tranquil life of modest pleasures and claimed that there is no life after death. Stoic philosophers followed the teachings of Zeno of Citium, another 3rd century BC Athenian, who championed mind over emotions and claimed that there is neither a Creator of the universe nor life after death. Paul's message contradicted the beliefs of both groups, who therefore called him a "babbler" (Acts 17:18).