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. (Acts 17:31)
Or, “inasmuch as.” Paul deduces the call to repentance from the fact of the coming judgment.
A day.
That is, a certain time, not necessarily a literal day.
Will judge.
Gr. mellō krinein, “to be about to judge,” or, simply as a future, “will judge,”“to intend to judge.” Paul, quoting from Ps. 9:8, is emphasizing the certainty, and possibly the proximity, of the judgment (cf. Acts 24:25; Rom. 2:5, 6, 16). The proclamation of a coming judgment is an integral part of Pauline and Christian doctrine (see on Rev. 14:6, 7). Christianity does not leave men in ignorance of what awaits them, but gives a comprehensive, though necessarily brief, survey of events to come. But the thought of a judgment is rarely welcome to mankind. Men do not like to face the prospect of coming before the judgment bar of God. The Greeks were no exception in this respect, and it is probable that, from this juncture onward, the Epicureans and Stoics strongly resisted Paul’s exposition.
World.
Gr. oikoumenē, “the inhabited earth” (see on Matt. 24:14; Luke 2:1). The word was also commonly used to designate the Roman world, or the civilized world in contrast with barbarian regions.
Literally, “by a man.” From what follows, it is clear to Christians that Paul is referring to Jesus, but the record of the speech does not show that the apostle had an opportunity publicly to identify the “man” (see on v. 32).
Whom he hath ordained.
That is, appointed, particularly for the work of judgment.
The resurrection of Jesus is here introduced as an earnest of God’s intentions toward mankind, in respect to the judgment and, by implication, to His giving eternal life through Christ Jesus. Paul was denied the opportunity of developing his theme, for his mention of the resurrection aroused the scorn of his listeners and brought his speech to an abrupt end. Had the address been complete, Paul probably would have spoken in more definite language about the life and work of Jesus and His key position in God’s plan for mankind. Notice how his argument progresses. Paul first speaks of God as the Creator of the world and of man, and of the regulations He made for man’s abode on the earth. He then reasons that all this should inspire men to know that God is far exalted above men. This should lead them to seek after Him, knowing that such a Creator is never far away, and is awaiting the approaches of His creation. But now the days when unenlightened men had to depend on God’s revelation through nature are at an end. He has spoken through the Son of man, whom the resurrection proved to be the Son of God. Through this Son, God will judge the world, for which judgment men should prepare themselves by repentance.
Unto all men.
The word for “men” does not appear in the Greek, but Paul is again stressing the universal nature of the gospel call.