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Acts 17:25
ESV nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.
NIV And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.
NASB nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things;
CSB Neither is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives everyone life and breath and all things.
NLT and human hands can’t serve his needs — for he has no needs. He himself gives life and breath to everything, and he satisfies every need.
KJV Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;
NKJV Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things.

What does Acts 17:25 mean?

Paul is in the Areopagus in Athens, expertly weaving together the local use of an altar to an unknown god to the true Creator God of the universe who, by the admission of Greek poets, made us and thus cannot be represented by idols. He starts by noting that a deity cannot be contained in a human-built structure (Acts 17:24), as Euripides admitted. He goes on to say the Creator God needs nothing from us because He created us, which philosophers Socrates, Seneca, and Lucian agreed with. Indeed, God sets the times and places for nations so that we might seek Him (Acts 17:26–27). The fact that He gives us our breath proves He is findable: He is near us (Acts 17:28).

If God cannot be contained in a temple made with human hands, and if He gives humans life and movement—if we are His offspring—He cannot be represented by idols made of gold, silver, and stone. To attempt to do so and then to worship those idols is not only futile, but also sin. God overlooks such idolatry done in ignorance, but now that they know the truth, they need to repent or face judgment (Acts 17:26–31).

Throughout history, mankind has developed systems of false gods that need something from us. Creation myths claim the gods made humans as slaves to work the earth. Fertility gods seemingly must be reminded every year how to bring life to crops and livestock. Even household idols get a daily offering of grain. The God of the Bible is not so needy. Yes, He is mighty and worthy to be praised. But He is also the gracious Father who provides gifts for His children (Matthew 7:11). We serve Him out of love and thankfulness, not because He needs anything from us.
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