Definition: And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this famous verse from Acts 17:30. It’s a really powerful and significant statement about humanity and God’s plan. Here’s an explanation in simple terms: The Basic Idea: This verse essentially says that God allowed the world to be lost and filled with sin for a long time, but now He is demanding everyone repent (turn away from their sins) – meaning confess and accept responsibility for their wrongdoings. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “And the times of this ignorance God winked at…” - This is a bit metaphorical. "Winking" suggests a deliberate, slow, and perhaps even unnoticed act. It means that God didn't actively stop humanity from making mistakes or being sinful. He let it happen for a long period. “…but now commandeth all men every where to repent:” - This is the core of the verse. Now, God is directly telling everyone – everywhere – to change their ways and confess their sins. It’s a clear instruction to take responsibility for what we've done. What does this mean in practice? Think about it like this: For centuries, humanity has been living in a state of blindness. We haven’t really seen the consequences of our choices – the wars, the suffering, the injustice. God is saying that He’s now stepping in and demanding we wake up and realize how badly we've messed things up. Historical Context - Why it matters: This verse appears shortly after Jesus’ ascension into heaven. It’s often interpreted as a preview of the coming of Christ and the ultimate salvation of humanity. It suggests that God’s plan – bringing about a new era of peace, justice, and love – is about to unfold. In short: The verse emphasizes that God allows sin to flourish for a long time, but He then actively calls everyone to repentance and change their ways. It's a call to action – it’s not enough to just know there's a problem; we must act to correct it. --- Resources if you want to learn more: Bible Gateway: [https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/passage/Acts%2017%2030](https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/passage/Acts%2017%2030) Insights Bible: [https://insightsbible.com/Acts/17/30](https://insightsbible.com/Acts/17/30) Do you want me to: Explain a specific part of the verse in more detail? Connect this verse to another passage in the Bible? Discuss its significance for Christians?