Acts 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.

God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.

that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us;

"His purpose in all of this was that the nations should seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him––though he is not far from any one of us.

so we could seek after God, and not just grope around in the dark but actually find him. He doesn't play hide-and-seek with us. He's not remote; he's near.

So that they might make search for God, in order, if possible, to get knowledge of him and make discovery of him, though he is not far from every one of us:

so that they would search for God and perhaps grope for him and find him—though indeed he is not far from each one of us.

"so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us;

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.

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.