The apostle was not deceived by that which he saw in this center of learning. His spiritual nature was so alive to the attraction of heavenly things that the joy and glory of the riches which will never perish made valueless in his eyes the pomp and splendor with which he was surrounded. As he saw the magnificence of Athens he realized its seductive power over lovers of art and science, and his mind was deeply impressed with the importance of the work before him. In this great city, where God was not worshiped, Paul was oppressed by a feeling of solitude, and he longed for the sympathy and aid of his fellow laborers. So far as human friendship was concerned, he felt himself to be utterly alone. In his epistle to the Thessalonians he expresses his feelings in the words, "Left at the Athens alone." 1 Thessalonians 3:1. Obstacles that were apparently insurmountable presented themselves before him, making it seem almost hopeless for him to attempt to reach the hearts of the people.

Apostlen lod sig ikke blænde af det, han så i dette lærdommens arnested. Hans åndelige natur var så betaget af de himmelske ting, at glæden og herligheden ved de rigdomme, som er uforgængelige, i hans øjne fik al denne pomp og pragt til at synes værdiløs. Når han betragtede Athens herligheder, blev han klar over dens fortryllende magt over kunstens og videnskabens elskere, og han blev tung om hjertet ved tanken om det betydningsfulde arbejde, der lå foran ham.