In brief
Dionysius the Areopagite is an Athenian mentioned only once in the Bible. Paul, provoked by a city full of idols, is brought to the Areopagus, where he proclaims the Creator God, the call to repent and the resurrection of Jesus. Many mock or postpone, but some join Paul and believe. Dionysius is the first named, together with a woman called Damaris. The gospel also reaches learned circles.
What does the name Dionysius the Areopagite mean?
Dionysius comes from the Greek Dionysios, a name formed on that of the Greek god Dionysus. The title Areopagite is generally understood to mean a member of the Areopagus, the council of Athens before which Paul was brought (Acts 17:19).
The story of Dionysius the Areopagite
Paul in a city full of idols
Acts 17:16-18Paul waits for Silas and Timothy at Athens. His spirit is provoked as he sees the city full of idols. He reasons in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and every day in the marketplace. Epicurean and Stoic philosophers hear him preach Jesus and the resurrection, and think he is advocating foreign deities.
Brought to the Areopagus
Acts 17:19-21The philosophers take hold of Paul and bring him to the Areopagus. They want to know what this new teaching is that brings strange things to their ears. Luke remarks that all the Athenians and the strangers living there spend their time in nothing else but telling or hearing some new thing. It is before this audience that Dionysius hears the gospel.
The unknown God proclaimed
Acts 17:22-29Standing in the middle of the Areopagus, Paul starts from an altar to an unknown god. He proclaims the God who made the world, who does not dwell in temples made with hands and who gives to all life and breath. God is not far from each one of us, and the Divine Nature is not like gold, silver or stone.
Repentance and resurrection
Acts 17:30-32Paul declares that God now commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has appointed a day to judge the world in righteousness by the man whom he has ordained, and he has given assurance of this by raising him from the dead. When they hear of the resurrection, some mock, while others say they want to hear him again.
Dionysius joins Paul and believes
Acts 17:33-34Paul goes out from among them. Yet his message does not remain without fruit: certain men join with him and believe, among whom are Dionysius the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and others with them. Dionysius is the first named among those who believe at Athens. The Bible says nothing else about him.
What Dionysius the Areopagite teaches us
- The gospel is not reserved for one social circle: it can reach an educated and respected man.
- Faced with the message of the resurrection, each person must choose between mockery, delay and faith.
- A faithful witness bears fruit even when the majority rejects it.
- To believe is also to join those who preach Jesus and to enter the community of believers.
Key verses
This is the only verse that names Dionysius. It shows that Paul's preaching at Athens bore fruit: some joined him and believed, including an Areopagite and a woman named Damaris.
Here is the heart of the message Dionysius heard: the call to repentance addressed to all, the coming judgment and the resurrection of the man whom God has appointed.
Paul says that God wants people to seek him, though he is not far from each one of us. Dionysius is among those who found him by hearing the gospel.
Sermons about Dionysius the Areopagite
Frequently asked questions
What is the Areopagus?
In Acts, the Areopagus is the place where the philosophers of Athens bring Paul to hear his teaching (Acts 17:19). The name refers to the hill of Ares, where a council of the city sat. The title Areopagite given to Dionysius generally indicates that he belonged to this council.
What does the name Dionysius mean?
Dionysius comes from the Greek Dionysios, a name formed on that of Dionysus, a Greek god. The Bible gives no explanation of it. The contrast is striking: a man bearing the name of a pagan deity turns to the living God whom Paul proclaims.
Where is the story of Dionysius the Areopagite in the Bible?
Dionysius is mentioned only once, in the book of Acts, chapter 17, verse 34. To understand his conversion, read the whole account of Paul's stay in Athens and of his speech at the Areopagus, in Acts 17:16-34.