King James Version

What Does Acts 17:31 Mean?

Acts 17:31 in the King James Version says “Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained...” — study this verse from Acts chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. hath given: or, offered faith”

Acts 17:31 · KJV

Faith

Context

29

Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.

30

And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

31

Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. hath given: or, offered faith

32

And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.

33

So Paul departed from among them.

Read Acts 17 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
He hath appointed a day (καθότι ἔστησεν ἡμέραν)—The perfect tense indicates God's fixed, immutable decree. History moves toward this predetermined moment of universal judgment. In the which he will judge the world in righteousness (ἐν ᾗ μέλλει κρίνειν τὴν οἰκουμένην ἐν δικαιοσύνῃ)—judgment is future certainty ('will judge'), global in scope ('the world'), and morally perfect ('in righteousness').

By that man whom he hath ordained (ἐν ἀνδρὶ ᾧ ὥρισεν)—Jesus, the God-man, is appointed Judge (John 5:22, 27). Paul tactfully calls Him 'that man' to Athenian ears unfamiliar with Jewish Messianism, yet asserts His divine appointment. The climactic proof: whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead (πίστιν παρασχὼν πᾶσιν ἀναστήσας αὐτὸν ἐκ νεκρῶν). Resurrection is God's vindication of Jesus' claims, guarantee of coming judgment, and public evidence ('assurance to all men') demanding universal response.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Greek philosophy debated immortality but mocked bodily resurrection (v. 32). Paul's Mars Hill sermon climaxes not with philosophical argument but historical fact: God raised Jesus, proving He will judge through Him. This fusion of Jewish eschatology and universal accountability challenged both pagan fatalism and philosophical speculation with concrete, testable historical claims.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does certainty of future judgment through Christ affect your daily choices and priorities?
  2. What comfort and warning does Christ's role as Judge (not an impersonal force) provide to believers?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 22 words
διότι1 of 22

“Because”

G1360

on the very account that, or inasmuch as

ἔστησεν2 of 22

“he hath appointed”

G2476

to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively)

ἡμέραν3 of 22

“a day”

G2250

day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of

ἐν4 of 22

“by”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

ᾧ5 of 22

“the which”

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

μέλλει6 of 22

“he will”

G3195

to intend, i.e., be about to be, do, or suffer something (of persons or things, especially events; in the sense of purpose, duty, necessity, probabili

κρίνειν7 of 22

“judge”

G2919

by implication, to try, condemn, punish

τὴν8 of 22
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

οἰκουμένην9 of 22

“the world”

G3625

land, i.e., the (terrene part of the) globe; specially, the roman empire

ἐν10 of 22

“by”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

δικαιοσύνῃ11 of 22

“righteousness”

G1343

equity (of character or act); specially (christian) justification

ἐν12 of 22

“by”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

ἀνδρὶ13 of 22

“that man”

G435

a man (properly as an individual male)

ᾧ14 of 22

“the which”

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ὥρισεν15 of 22

“he hath ordained”

G3724

to mark out or bound ("horizon"), i.e., (figuratively) to appoint, decree, specify

πίστιν16 of 22

“assurance”

G4102

persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ

παρασχὼν17 of 22

“whereof he hath given”

G3930

to hold near, i.e., present, afford, exhibit, furnish occasion

πᾶσιν18 of 22

“unto all”

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

ἀναστήσας19 of 22

“men in that he hath raised”

G450

to stand up (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)

αὐτὸν20 of 22

“him”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἐκ21 of 22

“from”

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

νεκρῶν22 of 22

“the dead”

G3498

dead (literally or figuratively; also as noun)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Acts. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Acts 17:31 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Acts 17:31 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 25:31-46Romans 2:162 Peter 3:72 Corinthians 5:10Psalms 98:9Psalms 9:8

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