Note 4 at Ac 17:28: Paul's quotation here is generally ascribed to Aratus (c. 315-240 B.C.) from a poem entitled "Phaenomena." The same line appears in a poem by Cleanthes (c. 331-231 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 also 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 show 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 Ac 5:34).