“Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.”
My Notes
What Does Acts 17:31 Mean?
Paul declares to the Athenians that God has appointed a day of universal judgment. The day is set. The judge is chosen. The proof is the resurrection.
"He hath appointed a day" — the judgment is not random or uncertain. It is appointed — scheduled, fixed, determined. The date exists on God's calendar.
"Judge the world in righteousness" — the judgment is righteous. Not arbitrary. Not vindictive. Righteous — perfectly fair, completely just, without error or bias.
"By that man whom he hath ordained" — the judge is a man. A specific man. Jesus. The one who lived as a human being will judge human beings. The judge knows what it is like to be the judged.
"Whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead" — the resurrection is the proof. God's assurance that this man is the appointed judge is the fact that he raised him from the dead. The empty tomb is the credential.
Reflection Questions
- 1.How does knowing the judgment day is 'appointed' — already scheduled — affect your sense of urgency?
- 2.What does it mean that the judge is 'that man' — someone who knows human experience?
- 3.How is the resurrection the 'assurance' that the judgment is real?
- 4.Are you living in awareness of the appointed day — and what would change if you were?
Devotional
He hath appointed a day. The day exists. It is on the calendar. The judgment is not hypothetical. It is scheduled.
In the which he will judge the world in righteousness. The world. Every person. Every action. Every motive. Judged — and judged righteously. The judgment will be perfectly fair. No favoritism. No corruption. No appeals.
By that man whom he hath ordained. The judge is Jesus — a man. Someone who lived in a body, experienced temptation, felt pain, wept, laughed, and died. The one who judges you knows your experience from the inside.
He hath raised him from the dead. The proof. The credential. The assurance God gives that this man is the appointed judge is the resurrection. If the tomb is empty, the appointment is real.
The day is set. The judge is chosen. The proof has been given. The only question is whether you will be ready when the day arrives.
Are you living as though the appointed day is real? Not in fear — in awareness. The judgment is righteous. The judge knows your frame. And the day is coming.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
Because he hath appointed a day,.... The day of judgment is fixed by God in his eternal purposes, and is sure and…
Because he hath appointed a day - This is given as a reason why God commands people to repent. They must be judged; and…
He hath appointed a day - He has fixed the time in which he will judge the world, though he has not revealed this time…
We have here St. Paul's sermon at Athens. Divers sermons we have had, which the apostles preached to the Jews, or such…
because he hath appointed, &c. The day of judgment had long ago been appointed in God's foreknowledge, but through…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture