The people were carried away with admiration of Paul’s eloquence. The Epicureans began to breathe more freely, believing that he was strengthening their position, that everything had its origin in blind chance; and that certain ruling principles controlled the universe. But his next sentence brought a cloud to their brows. He asserted the creative power of God, and the existence of his overruling providence. He declared unto them the true God, who is the living center of government.{LP 95.1}

Folket blev forført af beundring for Paulus’ veltalenhed. Epikuræarne begyndte at ånde mere frit, og troede at han havde styrket deres position, at alt hade sin oprindelse i blind tilfældighed; og at visse herskende grundprincipper styrede universet. Men hans næste sætning bragte en sky over deres pander. Han forsvarede Guds skabende kraft, eksistensen af hans underkendende forsyn. Han erklærede den sande Gud over for dem, som er regeringens levende center.