Acts 17:27-28

17:27 so that they would search for God and perhaps grope around 1  for him and find him, 2  though he is 3  not far from each one of us. 17:28 For in him we live and move about 4  and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we too are his offspring.’ 5 

1 tn See BDAG 1097-98 s.v. ψηλαφάω, which lists “touch, handle” and “to feel around for, grope for” as possible meanings.

2 sn Perhaps grope around for him and find him. The pagans’ struggle to know God is the point here. Conscience alone is not good enough.

3 tn The participle ὑπάρχοντα (Juparconta) has been translated as a concessive adverbial participle.

4 tn According to L&N 15.1, “A strictly literal translation of κινέω in Ac 17:28 might imply merely moving from one place to another. The meaning, however, is generalized movement and activity; therefore, it may be possible to translate κινούμεθα as ‘we come and go’ or ‘we move about’’ or even ‘we do what we do.’”

5 sn This quotation is from Aratus (ca. 310-245 b.c.), Phaenomena 5. Paul asserted a general relationship and accountability to God for all humanity.