Haply in Acts 17:27.

[Benson]

[KJV] "That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him."

#686 ara, "a particle denoting an inference, through the idea of drawing a conclusion." Translated in KJV Acts 17:27 as "haply" and elsewhere as "perhaps."

Paul in Athens was speaking of God's Salvation to the erudite Greeks within their forum. This account by Paul gives the germane core of The Gospel to be spoken to Gentiles. Within this account there is by Paul no mention of:

1.) Sin.
2.) The Law.
3.) Prophecy.
4.) Name of Jesus.
5.) Shed Blood or Sacrificial Propitiation.
6.) Regeneration.
7.) Glorification & Eternity.
8.) Hell.
9.) The Kingdom of God.
10.) Mediation or Priesthood.
11.) Israel as the Chosen Vessel.
12.) Love of God.
13.) Grace.
14.) Hope.
15.) Faith.
16.) The Cross.
17.) Resurrection.
18.) Vicarious Righteousness.
19.) Discipleship.
20.) Election or Predestination.

Since none of these Jewish elements of reconciliation unto God are in The Gospel here spoken to the Greeks, and the only impetus for their approaching God comes from their own personal inquiry, they are not shown to be "called, drawn, elected, or predestined" as sinners into Salvation. The Salvation they are to enter is entirely by asa/"haply."

Don't forget, God spoke His Word of Salvation to the Gentiles through Paul as a process of being "haply" undertaken.

[otseng]

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