The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man,
Paul must convince profane men of the true God by appeals to nature itself, not Scripture, they already believe some divine power exists, but their religion is corrupted. The world lies in a labyrinth of confusion about God's nature. All false worship springs from men forging a god to suit their pleasure; nothing destroys corrupt religion like showing plainly what God actually is.
AI summary
Paul's task here differs entirely from his preaching to Jews: they needed Christ proved by prophecy; these refined idolaters needed first to know there is one true Creator and God alone worthy of worship. He had to lay the foundation before he could build.
AI summary
Commenting on Acts 17:22-31
By calling God the Creator, Paul refutes the Epicureans who claimed atoms made the world by chance, and the Aristotelians who claimed it eternal. He dwells not in human temples, not even Jerusalem's, but in Christ's human nature where the Godhead fills Him, and in His people's hearts as temples of the Spirit. This expresses His infinity, not His absence.
AI summary