Acts 17:16 Contradictions and Paradoxes

According to Luke, Paul felt upset and worried when he saw the city of Athens filled with statues and things that people were worshiping instead of God. He noticed that everyone was paying attention to idols instead of the one true God.

Contradiction with Exodus 20:3

This verse commands the worship of no other gods, contradicting the account in Acts 17:16 of a city full of idols, implying multiple worshiped deities.

Exodus 20:3: Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

Contradiction with Isaiah 42:8

God declares He will not give His glory to another, contradicting the idolatrous practices observed in Acts 17:16.

Isaiah 42:8: I [am] the LORD: that [is] my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.

Contradiction with Jeremiah 10:5

Describes idols as vain and powerless, contrasting with the prevalence of idol worship in Acts 17:16.

Jeremiah 10:5: They [are] upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also [is it] in them to do good.

Contradiction with Deuteronomy 7:5

Commands the destruction of idols, which contradicts the presence of idols in Athens as mentioned in Acts 17:16.

Deuteronomy 7:5: But thus shall ye deal with them; ye shall destroy their altars, and break down their images, and cut down their groves, and burn their graven images with fire. [their images: Heb. their statues, or, pillars]

Contradiction with 1 Corinthians 8:4

Declares that an idol is nothing in the world, opposing the concern Paul felt for the city's idolatry in Acts 17:16.

1 Corinthians 8:4: As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol [is] nothing in the world, and that [there is] none other God but one.

Contradiction with Psalm 115:4-8

Critiques the worthlessness of idols, contradicting the acceptance of idols in Athens as described in Acts 17:16.

Psalm 115:4-8: Their idols [are] silver and gold, the work of men's hands.

Contradiction with Isaiah 44:9

Describes the making of idols as futile, contradicting the existence of many idols in Athens according to Acts 17:16.

Isaiah 44:9: They that make a graven image [are] all of them vanity; and their delectable things shall not profit; and they [are] their own witnesses; they see not, nor know; that they may be ashamed. [delectable: Heb. desirable]