Neither is worshiped with men's hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he gives to all life, and breath, and all things;
All Commentaries on Acts 17:25 Go To Acts 17
John Chrysostom
AD 407
How then was He worshipped by men's hands among the Jews? Not by hands, but by the understanding. As though He needed anything: since even those (acts of worship) He did not in this sort seek, as having need. Shall I eat, says He, the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats? Psalm 50:13 Neither is this enough— the having need of naught— which he has affirmed: for though this is Divine, yet a further attribute must be added. Seeing it is He that gives unto all, life and breath and all things. Two proofs of Godhead: Himself to have need of naught, and to supply all things to all men. Produce here Plato (and) all that he has philosophized about God, all that Epicurus has: and all is but trifling to this! Gives, he says, life and breath. Lo, he makes Him the Creator of the soul also, not its begetter. See again how he overthrows the doctrine about matter. And made, he says, of one blood every nation of men to dwell upon all the face of the earth.
