| Geneva Study Bible {11} (For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.) (11) The wisdom of man is vanity. People's New Testament 17:21 To tell, or to hear some new thing. Demosthenes himself speaks of this propensity of the Athenians (Philipp. 1:43). It was harmony with the spirit of the city that he should be called on to speak to gratify the curiosity of the populace. Wesley's Notes 17:21 And the strangers sojourning there - And catching the distemper of them. Some new thing - The Greek word signifies some newer thing. New things quickly grew cheap, and they wanted those that were newer still. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary 21. all the Athenians . spent their time in nothing else but to tell or hear some new thing-literally, "newer thing," as if what was new becoming presently stale, they craved something still more new [Bengel]. This lively description of the Athenian character is abundantly attested by their own writers. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 17:16-21 Athens was then famed for polite learning, philosophy, and the fine arts; but none are more childish and superstitious, more impious, or more credulous, than some persons, deemed eminent for learning and ability. It was wholly given to idolatry. The zealous advocate for the cause of Christ will be ready to plead for it in all companies, as occasion offers. Most of these learned men took no notice of Paul; but some, whose principles were the most directly contrary to Christianity, made remarks upon him. The apostle ever dwelt upon two points, which are indeed the principal doctrines of Christianity, Christ and a future state; Christ our way, and heaven our end. They looked on this as very different from the knowledge for many ages taught and professed at Athens; they desire to know more of it, but only because it was new and strange. They led him to the place where judges sat who inquired into such matters. They asked about Paul's doctrine, not because it was good, but because it was new. Great talkers are always busy-bodies. They spend their time in nothing else, and a very uncomfortable account they have to give of their time who thus spend it. Time is precious, and we are concerned to employ it well, because eternity depends upon it, but much is wasted in unprofitable conversation. | 
