It is typical for gentiles to believe that their gods are in need of something, that they need something, and man bringing sacrifices or building temples, satisfies these needs of the gods, and...
It is typical for gentiles to believe that their gods are in need of something, that they need something, and man bringing sacrifices or building temples, satisfies these needs of the gods, and the gods help in return to satisfy the needs of man. Therefore, gods and the men are at the same level, besides, gods cannot do without men. Don’t we have sometimes in us such imagination? Doesn’t it seem to us at times that we make a favour to God, when doing what He asked us for?
It is the still non eliminated paganism which speaks in us, a pride conception of the world, the opposite of a pious awe in front of God's face, internal unwillingness to recognize God’s absolute sovereignty. That is why these words of Apostle Paul are not only address to the gentiles of Athens, but to us also: God doesn’t need us, but loves us. We aren’t the ones doing good to Him, when accomplishing worship in temples built by us, but on the contrary, He does more good to us, by giving us life and the Spirit. He is the Creator of everything; He is Lord of all; He is Bearer of all goodness.
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17:24 God who made the world - Thus is demonstrated even to reason, the one true, good God; absolutely different from the creatures, from every part of the visible creation.
17:25 Neither is he served as though he needed any thing - or person - The Greek word equally takes in both. To all - That live andbreathe; - in him we live; and breathe - In him we move. By breathing life is continued. I breathe this moment: the next is not in my power: and all things - For in him we are. So exactly do the parts of this discourse answer each other.