Paul declared to the Athenians the unknown God: (1) in His relation to nature, (2) in His relation to man.
I. God in relation to nature. (1) The Apostle begins by affirming that God made the world and all things therein that He was the Creator of the universe. (2) This idea means that God made the world in relation to its matter. (3) God made the world, not only in its matter, but also in its laws. (4) Having created the world God is still present in it as its sovereign Lord and Director.
From these truths two valuable lessons are deduced: (a) God dwelleth not in temples made with hands, (b) He is not worshipped or served with men's hands as though He needed anything.
II. God in His relation to man. (1) Paul begins here again by affirming that God made man, and he proclaims the unity of the human race. (2) Having made men, the Divine Being continues to rule them. He did not heartlessly fling them upon the world to be the sport of chance, but determined the times before appointed and the bounds of their habitation. (3) The Apostle announces a nearer relation still: he declares God to be the Father of men. "We are also His offspring."
J. C. Jones, Studies in the Acts,p. 303.
References: Acts 16:24-34. Homiletic Quarterly,vol. ii., p. 152; Acts 16:25-27. Ibid.,vol. i., p. 80. Acts 16:25-40. Homilist,2nd series, vol. i., p. 198.