In some languages a transitional particle such as “so” or “hence” may be necessary at this point in the text so as to indicate that Paul, in response to those in the meeting of the Areopagus, was now addressing the group. Such a particle would be equivalent to the structure of the Greek sentence itself.

In front of the meeting of the Areopagus (see Jerusalem Bible “before the whole Council of the Areopagus,” New English Bible “before the Court of Areopagus”) is a much more natural expression in English than a literal rendering such as “standing in the middle of the Areopagus.” Luke intends to say that Paul stood before the group to speak to them, rather than that Paul stood up in the middle of the hill of Ares.

In a number of languages one cannot employ an expression of direct address such as Men of Athens! without implying the Paul is in some way ordering, or calling to, such persons. However, this expression may be incorporated as the goal of the verb said—for example, “and said to the men of Athens,” after which the direct discourse begins. In some languages there may be a contradiction in the use of the expression “men” when in verse 34 it is indicated that a woman by the name of Damaris responded positively to what Paul said. It may be necessary, therefore, to employ a term such as “people of Athens”; but in many languages an expression for “men” may, by implication, also include women.

Commentators are divided in their opinion as to whether Luke intended to say very religious (in a good sense) or “superstitious” (in a bad sense). However, the Good News Translation, New English Bible, Revised Standard Version, Jerusalem Bible, An American Translation*, Moffatt, Phillips, and Barclay all accept the former alternative. In some languages it is not easy to provide an appropriate equivalent for the expression very religious. In some cases one may simply translate “worship various gods very much,” “are very much interested in the gods,” or “have great respect for many gods.”

If one adopts the interpretation of “superstitious,” a rendering might be “you are very fearful of many gods.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Acts of the Apostles. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1972. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .