Lexical Summary amarturos: Without witness, untestified Original Word: ἀμάρτυρος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance without witness. From a (as a negative particle) and a form of martus; unattested -- without witness. see GREEK a see GREEK martus NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom alpha (as a neg. prefix) and martus Definition without witness NASB Translation without witness (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 267: ἀμάρτυροςἀμάρτυρος, (μάρτυς), without witness or testimony, unattested: Acts 14:17. (Thucydides, Demosthenes, Joseph, Plutarch, Lucian, Herodian) Topical Lexicon Occurrence in Scripture Acts 14:17 is the sole New Testament text that employs the term translated “without witness.” Speaking to a crowd of Gentiles at Lystra, Paul declares, “Yet He has not left Himself without witness; He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness” (Acts 14:17). Setting in Acts and Biblical Context Paul and Barnabas had just healed a man lame from birth (Acts 14:8-10). The astonished populace attempted to offer sacrifices to them as the gods Zeus and Hermes (Acts 14:11-13). Rejecting the idolatrous response, Paul redirects their attention to “the living God, who made heaven and earth and the sea and everything in them” (Acts 14:15). Unlike earlier synagogue addresses (Acts 13:16-41), Paul does not appeal to Israel’s Scriptures but to God’s activity in creation—an apologetic suited to listeners unfamiliar with the Law and the Prophets. The statement that God has not left Himself “without witness” forms the hinge of his argument, asserting that divine self-revelation is already accessible to every human being. Meaning of “Without Witness” in Apostolic Preaching The term underscores the impossibility of genuine atheism: humanity is never bereft of evidence about God’s existence and goodness. In Acts 14:17 the witness is two-fold: 1. Beneficent providence (“He has shown kindness”). This parallels Romans 1:19-20, where “what may be known about God is plain” from created things. The idea also echoes Psalm 19:1-4, in which the heavens “declare the glory of God.” Thus the “witness” is both experiential (rain, harvests, nourishment) and moral (kindness), communicating God’s character as Creator and Benefactor. Theology of Divine Witness in Creation 1. General Revelation: Acts 14:17 confirms that creation provides universal testimony, leaving humanity “without excuse” (Romans 1:20). Relation to Old Testament Testimony Paul’s reasoning is grounded in Old Testament patterns. Deuteronomy 11:14 promises rain for obedience, and Joel 2:23 celebrates fruitful seasons as evidence of the Lord’s faithfulness. Yet Acts 14:17 universalizes these signs: the same Creator who blessed Israel now signals His presence to all nations through the rhythms of earth and sky. Implications for Missions and Evangelism • Bridge to the Gospel: Missionaries may begin with the shared experience of creation, moving from visible providence to the incarnate Redeemer (Acts 14:17-18, followed by Acts 14:21). Application for Contemporary Ministry 1. Apologetics: Environmental order, agricultural cycles, and the universal longing for joy provide conversational entry points that align with Acts 14:17. Summary The single New Testament appearance of ἀμάρτυρος in Acts 14:17 anchors a rich biblical theme: God continually testifies to Himself through the blessings of creation. This silent yet persuasive witness prepares hearts for the explicit proclamation of the gospel and leaves no person or culture devoid of evidence pointing to the living God. Forms and Transliterations αμαρτυρον αμάρτυρον ἀμάρτυρον amarturon amartyron amártyronLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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