Worthless Things

11 When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in human form!” 12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 13 The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates; he and the crowds wanted to offer sacrifice. 14 When the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting, 15 “Friends, why are you doing this? We are mortals just like you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. 16 In past generations he allowed all the nations to follow their own ways; 17 yet he has not left himself without a witness in doing good—giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, and filling you with food and your hearts with joy.”

15 “Friends, why are you doing this? We are mortals just like you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them

Idols are μάταια, vain, empty things; cf. Rom. 1:21; 8:20 (Knox, Acts 70). The word is used in this sense in the OT, e.g. Lev. 17:7 (= שעיר) 3 Kdms 16:2 (חטת), 13 (חבל). In non-biblical Greek it does not have this sense of false god, but it is used of empty talk, and of vain and foolish persons, so that it would be sufficiently meaningful to a Gentile audience. The true God, to whom men should turn, is the living God

The goal of Acts is to inspire us to take the gospel—Jesus’ saving message—to the ends of the earth