Acts 17:22
“So, Paul, standing in the center of the Areopagus (Mars Hill meeting place), said: Men of Athens, I perceive in every way (on every hand and with every turn I make) that you are most religious (or) very reverent to demons.”
If we were to read between the lines, Paul might be saying, “You Athenians are to be commended for your devotion to spiritual things.” The King James’ rendering of “religious” as “superstitious” which in the culture of Paul’s time did not have the negative connotation as it does now.
From the context of this account, it is plain that the apostle Paul was not being argumentative. The men of Athens, who vastly outnumbered Paul and loved a good philosophical debate, could have made short work out of any know-it-all smart aleck. The apostle Paul was lavishing in his compliments.
Throughout his ministry, he frequently resorted to diplomatic language. At one point, he acknowledged a cultural debt both to the Greeks and to barbarians (Romans 1:14). In addition to complimenting strangers, Paul continually sought out similarities he shared between him and other groups. In a conflict in which both the Sadducees and the Pharisees were breathing fire down his neck, Paul masterfully ingratiated himself to the Pharisees, reminding them that he and they shared the same view on the resurrection (Acts 23:6-8). Paul, to the right people, let it be known that he was a Roman citizen (Acts 16:37-39; 22:25-29).
We also need to find common ground, not only with people within the church of God, but with the world at large, emphasizing (like mountains) the things we agree upon and de-emphasizing (like molehills) the things we disagree upon.
In the process of finding common ground, we dare not compromise our core values or syncretize them with the world’s view or the religious thoughts of society. We should instead practice more the advice; “You don’t have to tell all you know.” Oftentimes, keeping our mouth shut is the most diplomatic behavior of all (Ecclesiastes 3:7; Lamentations 3:28-29; Amos 5:13).
