The great men of the city seemed hungering for subjects of discussion, in which they would have opportunity to display their wisdom and oratory. While waiting for Silas and Timothy to meet him, Paul was not idle. “He disputed in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him.” The great men of Athens were not long in finding out this singular teacher, who presented to the people doctrines so new and strange.{LP 91.2}

Byens store mænd lod til at hungre efter diskussionsemner, så de hade anledning til at vise deres visdom og veltalenhed. Medens Paulus ventede på Silas og Timotius skulle komme, havde han ikke hænderne i skødet. "Han talte da i synagogen med jøderne og de gudfrygtige og daglig på torvet ned dem, han traf på." Atheneres store mænd var ikke lang tid om at finde ud af denne særlige lærer, som bragte folk en så ny og fremmed lære.