What Does Acts 17:25 Mean?

(25) **Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing.**—Literally, *as* *needing anything in addition.* The previous words had struck at a false theory of temples, this strikes at a false theory of worship. Men have to think of God as the supreme Giver, not as requiring anything at their hands but justice, mercy, and truth. Both Jewish and heathen writers had borne their witness of the same truth: David had said, “Thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it” (Psalm 51:16), and the Latin Epicurean poet had written of the Divine nature, that it was— “Ipsa suis pollens opibus, nihil indiga nostri, Nec bene promeritis capitur, nec tangitur ira.” [“Strong in itself, it needeth nought of ours, Is neither won by gifts, nor moved by wrath.”] *Lucret.* ii. 649-50. The passage is found also in some editions in i. 61, 62. **Life and breath.**—If we can draw a distinction between the two words, the first may be held to mean the higher element of man’s life, the latter that which he shares, by virtue of his organization, with other animals. Stoics and Epicureans would, probably, both of them, so far, accept a teaching which echoed much that was taught in their own schools.