Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
Sirs (andrev). Literally, Men. Abrupt, but courteous.
We also are men of like passions with you (kai hmeiv omoiopaqeiv esmen umin anqrwpoi). Old adjective from omoiov (like) and pasxw, to experience. In the N.T. only here and James 5:17. It means "of like nature" more exactly and affected by like sensations, not "gods" at all. Their conduct was more serious than the obeisance of Cornelius to Peter (Acts 10:25 f.). umin is associative instrumental case.
And bring you good tidings (euaggelizomenoi). No "and" in the Greek, just the present middle participle, "gospelizing you." They are not gods, but evangelists. Here we have Paul's message to a pagan audience without the Jewish environment and he makes the same line of argument seen in Acts 17:21-32; Romans 1:18-23. At Antioch in Pisidia we saw Paul's line of approach to Jews and proselytes (Acts 13:16-41).
That ye should turn from these vain things (apo toutwn twn mataiwn epistrefein). He boldly calls the worship of Jupiter and Mercury and all idols "vain" or empty things, pointing to the statues and the temple.
Unto the living God (epi qeon zwnta). They must go the whole way. Our God is a live God, not a dead statue. Paul is fond of this phrase (2 Corinthians 6:16; Romans 9:26).
Who made (ov epoihsen). The one God is alive and is the Creator of the Universe just as Paul will argue in Athens (Acts 17:24). Paul here quotes Psalms 146:6 and has Genesis 1:1 in mind. See also 1 Thessalonians 1:9 where a new allegiance is also claimed as here.
Other commentary entries containing this verse:
Luke 16:2
Acts 11:21
Acts 14:8
1 Corinthians 9:21
2 Corinthians 11:25
1 Thessalonians 1:9
1 Thessalonians 1:10
2 Timothy 3:11
James 5:17
Revelation 14:7
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