“Religious Athenians”

Acts 17: 22: “And Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, ‘Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all respects.’” Many Christians would be quite pleased if you called them religious; they would consider it a compliment. But that doesn’t seem to be St. Paul’s take on things. It’s dependent on what you’re religious about. If you’re religious about brushing your teeth, or telling or hearing something new, (v. 21) then it isn’t really much of an asset. That’s why he preaches to these “religious Athenians” and implores them to convert!