Paul to the Greeks.

A clear distinction must be established between the Gospel spoken in Scripture to the Jews and the same Gospel spoken to Gentiles. The distinction lies with different language and imagery being used upon these two groups since each had their own world view.

Jesus spoke only the language of Law and Jewish heritage to His people, although there were indeed a few Gentiles to whom He ministered, such as the Greek Syrophoenician Woman, and the Centurion.

Being a Pharisee steeped in both Hebrew Theology and Greek culture, Paul correctly spoke to both groups. The Gentile Gospel is demonstrated in Acts 17 by his evangelism on Athenian Mars Hill. To them, Paul spoke nothing of sin, law, prophecy, sacrificial blood propitiation, spiritual rebirth, or discipleship. He spoke no parables. He did not speak the name of Jesus, and only referred to Him as "That Man." He even said God up until then had "winked" at their idolatry.

The significant point Paul demonstrated in vs. 27 concerning Soteriology to Gentiles is his use of the word asa, #686, translated KJV as "haply." Asa in Strong's is defined as "perhaps, from a conclusion, whether or not, if ever, lest somehow, by any means."

Paul uses "haply" to specify how these Greek Gentiles would come to God if they "might feel after him, and find him" (vs. 27). Such a Divinely intentional use of this particular word, along with the phrase "might feel," disallows any kind of Soteriology to Gentiles involving incapacitated nonsentient thinking, predetermined election, limited atonement, or irresistible grace. Perseverance is a seperate issue.

Praise God for allowing His Word to specify its own doctrine unto Gentiles. This marvelous power of the Gospel by God's Mercy unto the Gentiles in no manner conflicts with Paul's later statements showing corporate election upon the Church after individual rebirth and entry by adoption into the elected Kingdom takes place.

 

Yes, a shred of thought well attended to. No smirkage was either assessed or assumed. The larger message remains.

Regards.

 

So good for God to specify His Gospel to the ingrafted Gentiles in such a powerful way we can neither grasp it nor enhance it. Neither the Angel's nor the Prophets could anticipate His gracious mercy and gift through Jesus. The Depth, height, length, breadth of His Love was a Mystery, now revealed for His Glory.

As such, the confinements of human thought and limitations of English can only bow before Him in submission.

 

How Gracious is our Savior to have mercy upon Heathen, within their sin and ignorance, to send Paul to them with the full message, not having any impediments which even today we must guard against. The Might of God in the power of His Mercy exceeds all human constraints as we read His Word as written.

 

How would am articulation of it

How is articulating a supposedly less stressful witness going to serve God? As Jesus brought His Sword, was He concerned with finding less stress?

 

Eph. 3:19 "To know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge."
Compare #1097 "know"/ginosko and #1108 "knowledge" gnosis.

They are not the same.

 

Why did Paul purposefully refrain from speaking the Name of Jesus to the Atenian Greeks, but only called Him "that man?"

 

Nobody understands the Gospel, hence the utter need for faith.

 

Yes

Knowledge to you.

It was no error or interruption for Paul to soft peddle the Gospel to the Atenian Greeks by omitting Jesus' Name. The existence of a Messiah and Jesus' Name was significant only to the Jews, God's Chosen, not to Heathen Greeks.

Only after Spiritual Rebirth, are Gentiles then able to identify and love Jesus as Savior. Before that, Gentiles are unaware of Hebraic Covenant, Prophecy, and Heritage.

This is just common sense thinking, not a reason to become defensive and strident.