So Paul, standing in the middle of the Areopagus, said: "Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along, and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, 'To an unknown god.' What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all men life and breath and everything. And he made from one every nation of men to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their habitation, that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel after him and find him. Yet he is not far from each one of us, for
'In him we live and move and have our being';
as even some of your poets have said,
'For we are indeed his offspring.'
Being then God's offspring, we ought not to think that the Deity is like gold, or silver, or stone, a representation by the art and imagination of man. The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all men everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and of this he has given assurance to all men by raising him from the dead." Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked; but others said, "We will hear you again about this." So Paul went out from among them. 34 But some men joined him and believed, among them Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them. Acts 17:22–34 (RSV)
Rome was the capital of the empire. Power flowed from it to the far corners of the empire. It was the legislative power, the military center, and the source of Roman culture. Like it or not, many of the conquered people looked to Rome to know how their lives would be impacted.
Still, Rome wasn't everything. There were many places in the empire with a more extended, richer history than Rome. Athens stood at the peak of wisdom, philosophy, and religion. The Athenian culture stretched back centuries before Rome had come together as a village. The Greek language was still the language of international commerce and diplomacy. If you were at all educated, you could read, write, and speak Greek.
Paul's journeys had brought him to Athens, and he intended to make the best of the opportunity. The Areopagus was the gathering place for the intellectuals to discuss and debate the hot topics of the day. Paul would find in those gathered some of the city's best minds, and, perhaps, some who would be open to hearing the Gospel.
There were altars and shrines to a dizzying variety of gods in Athens. They dotted the city, devoted to the many gods' worship, even, as Paul noticed, an altar to an unknown god. The Greeks were not going to risk offending a god who hadn't been discovered.
Paul used this caution on the part of the Greeks to proclaim Jesus and His resurrection. He spoke of the one God, who made all things and who has come among us. He spoke of Jesus' death and resurrection. He was meeting the Greeks where they were, in and among all those altars to all those gods.
It is not surprising that some in the crowd mocked Paul and his preaching about Jesus' resurrection. But not all, some wanted to hear more, came to believe, and became Christians.
We are reminded that no matter how clear and eloquent a message about Jesus might be, not everyone will hear it as Good News. They may shake their heads and walk away. Still, some hear the Gospel and are drawn to hope the Word contains.
It is an important lesson we must learn as we share the Gospel; not everyone is willing to hear it. You could keep hammering away until you wear them down or they have you arrested for stalking. We are commanded to proclaim, not convert or bring folk into the Body of Christ. This is the Holy Spirit's work, which He accomplishes in those whom the Gospel has taken root.
I thank the Father that it is not up to my preaching that brings people to Christ. I proclaim what God the Father has done through the death and resurrection of His Son. We are not called to do the work of the Holy Spirit, creating faith in those who hear the Gospel. Serve our Lord by sharing the Good News, don't worry about who will respond. The power of the Word will gather those who need to hear.