Note 4 at Acts 17:28: Paul's quotation here is generally ascribed to Aratus (315- 240 B.C.) from a poem entitled Phaenomena. The same line appears in a poem by Cleanthes (331-233 B.C.) in his Hymn to Zeus. Although Paul does not cite the Cretan poet Epimenides (c. 600 B.C.), the phrase "in him we live, and move, and have our being" is found in his poem Cretica. Since Paul didn't give anyone credit, it is unclear whether Paul was quoting Cretica or whether this phrase was his own.

These quotations of Greek poets shows an unusual familiarity on Paul's part with the Greek literature. Paul was well educated, but in the strictest Jewish sense. It would be questionable that Paul studied Greek literature under Gamaliel (see note 1 at Acts 6:1, p. 599).