Acts 17:25

Worshipped. Gr. therapeud, “to treat,” “to heal” in a medical sense, but here used with religious significance, and meaning “to serve.” Paul is emphasizing the spiritual nature of the service that God expects from men, in contrast with the materialistic worship that unregenerate men tend to give.

He needed anything. Literally, “[as though] needing anything in addition.” Pagan religions represented their gods as dependent on, and covetous of, men’s gifts. Paul explains that the true God is different. Men should think of God as the supreme giver, not requiring anything at their hands but justice, mercy, and humility (Micah 6:8). Other Jewish and heathen writers had borne witness to the same truth. David had said, “Thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it” (Ps. 51:16), and the Latin Epicurean poet Lucretius (De Rerum Natura ii. 649-651; Loeb ed., p. 131) had written of the divine nature, saying that it was “without danger, itself mighty by its own resources, needing us not at all, it is neither propitiated with services nor touched by wrath.”

Giveth to all. By these words Paul included his hearers, and states that they too are dependent upon the God of whom he is speaking.

Life, and breath. These two nouns may be taken to comprehend man’s mortal existence. God gives man original life, and maintains that life by granting him physical breath. Thus Paul emphasizes man’s utter dependence on the one true God.