6 Lessons from What the New Testament Tells Us about Damaris
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For its time, the Bible is remarkably inclusive of women, from heroes we all know like Ruth to obscure figures like Damaris. While Damaris may look like a random name at the end of a New Testament story, the way she gets highlighted in the story of Paul’s evangelism was unusual for the time. While other ancient texts would ignore the fact she was in Athens when he presented the gospel, the Bible singles her out as one of the people who followed God’s calling.
Looking at Damaris’ story, even though it’s necessarily a short one given the few details we receive, provides more depth and meaning to Paul’s ministry in Athens.
What Bible Passage Mentions Damaris?
In Acts 17:34, Paul visits Athens, a city steeped in philosophy and idolatry. He gives a speech at the Areopagus, presenting the hospel. Scripture mentions Damaris being present at this discussion.
Paul’s journey to Athens occurred during his second missionary trip after he had faced opposition in Thessalonica and Berea. Upon arriving in Athens, Paul is distressed by the idols he sees throughout the city (Acts 17:16). Driven by this, he begins to reason in the synagogue with Jews and God-fearing Greeks and daily in the marketplace with whoever happens to be there (Acts 17:17).
Epicurean and Stoic philosophers notice his teaching and are interested in his ideas. They bring him to a meeting at the Areopagus, a public area for discussion and debate for the intellectual elite of Athens. They ask him to explain his “new teaching,” curious about the gospel he preached as if it were a new philosophy (Acts 17:19-20).
Paul stands before the Areopagus and delivers a powerful message. He begins by acknowledging the Athenians’ religiosity, mentioning an altar he saw with the inscription: “To an unknown god.” Using this starting point, Paul introduces the true God who made the world and everything in it, emphasizing that God does not dwell in temples made by human hands and is not served by human hands as if He needed anything (Acts 17:22-25).
Paul continues by explaining that God created all nations from one man, intending that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from anyone (Acts 17:26-27). He quotes some Greek poets to reinforce his message, in lines like “For in him we live and move and have our being” and “We are his offspring” (Acts 17:28).
Paul then confronts Athenian idolatry, declaring that God now commands all people everywhere to repent because he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by his appointed man. The Lord has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead (Acts 17:30-31), by which Paul means Jesus.
The response to Paul’s message is mixed. When he mentions the resurrection of the dead, some sneer, but others express interest and want to hear more (Acts 17:32).
The text tells the names of a few people who took Paul’s message to heart: “Some of the people became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others.” (Acts 17:34)
Among those who believe and join Paul are Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, and a woman named Damaris, as well as others (Acts 17:34).
What Do We Know about Damaris from Acts 17:34?
Damaris’s inclusion alongside Dionysius, a prominent Areopagus member, suggests she held some influence in Athenian society.
Scholars have proposed various theories about her influence. One theory posits that Damaris had high social standing or intellectual prominence since she was at a place typically reserved for men involved in legal, philosophical, or civic matters. Women receiving education and access to such intellectual gatherings was rare but not impossible in ancient Greece.
Another theory suggests that Damaris could have been part of the hetaera, a class of educated courtesans in ancient Greece known for their intellectual companionship, who had some access to public and intellectual life. This theory would also explain her presence at the Areopagus and her openness to new philosophical and religious ideas. Hetaera were known to be well-educated and influential, often engaging with prominent men in society.
Regardless of her social position and past, Damaris’s mention reveals the inclusive nature of Paul’s message. Not only was he reaching Gentiles with a message that initially seemed reserved for Jews, but he was also reaching Gentile women. This underscores that the gospel reached diverse groups—including groups typically excluded from public philosophical debates.
Damaris’s brief mention alongside a prominent figure like Dionysius also signifies how Paul’s message reached a diverse social audience in Athens. He reached not only overlooked people but also wealthy insiders.
Damaris’ conversion illustrates the gospel’s transformative impact on individuals from various social strata. It can transcend cultural and intellectual barriers, reaching both the elites and the margins, the uneducated and the learned—even the learned in a city with a renowned philosophical heritage.
What Does It Mean that Paul Spoke to Epicureans or Stoics?
The context of Paul’s speech at the Areopagus is essential to understanding the environment in which Damaris heard the message. Athens was an intellectual center, home to two major schools of philosophy: Epicureanism and Stoicism.
The Epicureans believed that life’s purpose was seeking pleasure and avoiding pain. They emphasized materialism and saw the gods as distant and uninvolved in human affairs. To them, the key to life was cultivating friendships and lifestyles that furthered tranquility and avoided fear.
In contrast, the Stoics taught that life’s purpose was to practice self-control and fortitude, which would help them be in harmony with nature. They were less interested in following gods and more in the Logos, the divine reason they believed governed the universe. To them, the key to life was accepting fate and pursuing knowledge that enabled them to have virtue, the highest good.
Paul’s message challenged both schools by introducing the concept of a personal God deeply involved in human history and who had raised Jesus from the dead. This was a radical departure from the prevailing philosophical ideas.
Fortunately, Paul’s background and education made him uniquely qualified for this task. Paul was Jewish, raised in Jerusalem (Acts 22:3) and deeply rooted in Jewish traditions and the Scriptures. Acts 22 mentions that Gamaliel, a respected Jewish teacher, taught him, so he was exceptionally familiar with Jewish law and prophetic writings.
However, Acts 22 also tells us that Paul was born in Tarsus, a significant Greek cultural center. Since he was born a Roman citizen (Acts 22:28), he would have had certain privileges in Tarsus. His many references to Greek poets when he speaks at the Areopagus show he took advantage of those privileges: he was well-versed in Greek language and philosophy, enabling him to engage with intellectual elites.
Paul’s dual knowledge base allowed him to articulate the gospel in ways that resonated with both Jewish and Gentile listeners. His dual knowledge came to the forefront in Athens, renowned for its philosophical schools and intellectual discourse. His speech demonstrated his skill in gospel contextualization, using references to their poets and beliefs to introduce the concept of the “unknown god.”
Why Didn’t Many of Damaris’ Friends Believe Paul?
Despite Paul’s phenomenal presentation, the response was mixed. When Paul mentioned the resurrection of the dead, some mocked him (Acts 17:32). Given that many in the audience were Epicureans, we can understand that they wouldn’t have enjoyed other elements in Paul’s speech. People who saw the gods as distant would not have cared for the idea of a personal god who wanted a close relationship with them.
However, the idea of Jesus’ body being resurrected irritated both groups. Epicureans were materialists who didn’t believe an immortal soul existed, so there could be no afterlife. A body returning to life would be ridiculous. The Stoics, like many other Greek philosophy schools, saw the body as a temporary vessel for an eternal soul that didn’t need bodily existence. The emphasis on the body not mattering later informed Christian heresies like Gnosticism. So, both groups at the Areopagus would have found the idea of dead bodies returning to life irrational.
However, Damaris and a few others were willing to listen and embrace a radically different message.
What Can We Learn from Damaris Today?
We can learn many lessons from Damaris’ story.
First, the fact that the book of Acts mentions her, in a time when ancient texts usually treated women as not important enough to mention, reminds us that God values women as well as men. God regularly called women, from famous Sunday School heroes like Esther to little-known figures like Damaris, to further his redemptive story. He dignified their heroism and recorded their stories to give us godly examples. Since the inspired and authoritative Scripture has been passed down for all believers, we should all learn from the great things these women did in various roles.
Second, Damaris’s acceptance of Paul’s message teaches the importance of openness to the gospel. Damaris heard many people present their beliefs in a city renowned for its philosophical heritage and intellectual debates. When she heard Paul’s words, she saw the truth in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Her willingness to believe in the face of prevalent skepticism encourages us to remain open to sharing Christ, even with those who are ignorant or mock God’s truth.
Third, Paul’s speech teaches us the importance of contextualizing the gospel for diverse audiences. By referencing local beliefs and culture, Paul connected with the Athenians on their terms, making the message of Christ relatable and understandable. He respected their culture while presenting the gospel’s absolute and universal truth. Today, we can follow Paul’s example by understanding and engaging with the cultural contexts of people we seek to reach. When we do that, we ensure the message of Christ is communicated effectively and relevantly.
Fourth, Damaris’s story underscores the inclusivity of the gospel. Paul’s message reached men and women from different social classes, even in surprising contexts, like a woman hearing him speak in a society that rarely allowed women to participate in philosophical discussions. Jesus’ message is for everyone, regardless of gender, social status, or cultural background (Galatians 3:28).
Fifth, Damaris’s belief while her friends remained skeptical shows that it takes courage to stand firm in faith. When others resisted the truth, Damaris chose to follow Christ. Her example teaches us to stand firm in our beliefs, even when it conflicts with our culture. Romans 12:2 encourages us to “not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
Finally, the fact that only Damaris and a few other people believed Paul’s message reminds us that we cannot control the outcome. Even with clear, compelling communication and a culturally relevant approach, only a few people responded positively. This underscores the biblical truth that salvation is ultimately up to God. Our role is to share the message faithfully, but God opens hearts and minds to receive it. While we must strive to communicate the gospel effectively, the outcome is in God’s hands. The path to salvation remains narrow, with few finding it. This encourages us to trust God's sovereignty and continue our mission with perseverance and faith.
Peace.
Photo Credit:©GettyImages/Nicholas Murrall
This article is part of our People from the Bible Series featuring the most well-known historical names and figures from Scripture. We have compiled these articles to help you study those whom God chose to set before us as examples in His Word. May their lives and walks with God strengthen your faith and encourage your soul.
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