The Meaning of Acts 17:30 Explained

Acts 17:30

KJV: And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

YLT: the times, indeed, therefore, of the ignorance God having overlooked, doth now command all men everywhere to reform,

Darby: God therefore, having overlooked the times of ignorance, now enjoins men that they shall all everywhere repent,

ASV: The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked; but now he commandeth men that they should all everywhere repent:

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And  the times  of this ignorance  God  winked at;  but now  commandeth  all  men  every where  to repent: 

What does Acts 17:30 Mean?

Study Notes

Repent
Repentance is the trans. of a (Greek - γένος ("metanoia-metanoeo") meaning "to have another mind," "to change the mind," and is used in the N).T. to indicate a change of mind in respect of sin, of God, and of self. This change of mind may, especially in the case of Christians who have fallen into sin, be preceded by sorrow 2 Corinthians 7:8-11 but sorrow for sin, though it may "work" repentance, is not repentance. The son in Matthew 21:28 ; Matthew 21:29 illustrates true repentance.
Saving faith: includes and implies that change of mind which is called repentance.
faith
The essence of faith consists in receiving what God has revealed, and may be defined as that trust in the God of the Scriptures and in Jesus Christ whom He hath sent, which receives Him as Saviour and Lord, and impels to loving obedience and good works John 1:12 ; James 2:14-26 . The particular uses of faith give rise to its secondary definitions:
(1) For salvation, faith is personal trust, apart from meritorious works, in the Lord Jesus Christ, as delivered for our offences, and raised again for our justification Romans 4:5 ; Romans 4:23-25 .
(2) As used in prayer, faith is the "confidence that we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us" 1 John 5:14 ; 1 John 5:15 .
(3) As used in reference to unseen things of which Scripture speaks, faith "gives substance" to them, so that we act upon the conviction of their reality. Hebrews 11:1-3 .
(4) As a working principle in life, the uses of faith are illustrated in Hebrews 11:1-39 .

Verse Meaning

Before Jesus Christ came, God did not view people as being as guilty as He does now that Christ has come. They were guilty of failing to respond to former Revelation , but now they are more guilty in view of the greater revelation that Jesus Christ brought at His incarnation (cf. Hebrews 1:1-2). God overlooked the times of ignorance (i.e, when people had only limited cf. Revelation 3:17; Revelation 14:16; Romans 3:25; 2 Peter 3:9) in a relative sense only. Before the Incarnation people died as unbelievers and were lost, but now there is more light. Consequently people"s guilt is greater this side of the Incarnation. Obviously many people have not heard the gospel and are as ignorant of the greater revelation of God that Jesus Christ brought as were people who lived before the Incarnation. Nevertheless they live in a time when God has revealed more of Himself than previously.
This makes it all the more important that Christians take the gospel to everyone. Greater revelation by God means greater responsibility for people, both for the unsaved and for the saved. God previously took the relative lack of understanding about Himself into consideration as He dealt with people. Now that Christ has come, He will hold people more responsible for their sins.
"Paul appeals to the relation of Creator and creature, and to God as universal Judges , in order to provide a foundation for a gospel that can address the whole of humanity. The internal impulse for this speech (internal to the implied author"s perspective) comes from the need to speak of all humanity sharing an essentially similar relation to God as a basis for an inclusive gospel, a gospel commensurate with the inclusive saving purpose of God announced in Luke 2:30-32." [1]
"The Bible requires repentance for salvation, but repentance does not mean to turn from sin, nor a change in one"s conduct. Those are the fruits of repentance. Biblical repentance is a change of mind or attitude concerning either God [2], Christ [3], dead works [4], or sin [5]. When one trusts Christ it is inconceivable that he would not automatically change his mind concerning one or more or even all of these things." [6]

Context Summary

Acts 17:22-34 - The One Living And True God
The gospel preacher must avail himself of any circumstance in his surroundings that will enable him to arrest the attention of his audience. He must meet them where they are and take them with him to realms of thought with which they are not familiar. Paul was wise to begin with that altar to the unknown god.
Around them stood the most exquisite temples ever reared by human genius, but these were not the home of God. He seeks the lowly and contrite heart, not of the Jew alone, but wherever man is found, and on whatever intellectual plane. Men, the world over, are brothers-"he hath made of one blood all nations." The arrangements of divine providence have been contrived to lead men to God. If they feel after Him with reverence and true desire, He will be found of them. All men are His offspring, but only those who receive the Son of God into their hearts become really sons. Repentance is the act of the will, and therefore it may be commanded. God can overlook much that is hurtful and evil, because He loves the world and deals with men according to their light; and we may rejoice therefore that He will judge mankind by "the Man." [source]

Chapter Summary: Acts 17

1  Paul preaches at Thessalonica, where some believe,
5  and others persecute him
10  He is sent to Berea, and preaches there
13  Being persecuted by Jews from Thessalonica,
16  he comes to Athens, and disputes and preaches the living God, to them unknown;
32  whereby, though some mock, many are converted unto Christ

Greek Commentary for Acts 17:30

The times of ignorance [τους χρονους της αγνοιας]
The times before full knowledge of God came in Jesus Christ. Paul uses the very word for their ignorance (αγνοουντες — agnoountes) employed in Acts 17:23. [source]
Overlooked [υπεριδων]
Second aorist active participle of υπεροραω — huperoraō or υπερειδω — hupereidō old verb to see beyond, not to see, to overlook, not “to wink at” of the Authorized Version with the notion of condoning. Here only in the N.T. It occurs in the lxx in the sense of overlooking or neglecting (Ps 55:1). But it has here only a negative force. God has all the time objected to the polytheism of the heathen, and now he has made it plain. In Wisdom Acts 11:23 we have these words: “Thou overlookest the sins of men to the end they may repent.” But now (τα νυν — ta nun). Accusative of general reference, “as to the now things or situation.” All is changed now that Christ has come with the full knowledge of God. See also Acts 27:22. All everywhere No exceptions anywhere. Repent (μετανοειν — metanoein). Present active infinitive of μετανοεω — metanoeō in indirect command, a permanent command of perpetual force. See note on μετανοεω — metanoeō Acts 2:38 and the Synoptic Gospels. This word was the message of the Baptist, of Jesus, of Peter, of Paul, this radical change of attitude and life. [source]
But now [τα νυν]
Accusative of general reference, “as to the now things or situation.” All is changed now that Christ has come with the full knowledge of God. See also Acts 27:22. [source]
All everywhere [παντας πανταχου]
No exceptions anywhere. Repent (μετανοειν — metanoein). Present active infinitive of μετανοεω — metanoeō in indirect command, a permanent command of perpetual force. See note on μετανοεω — metanoeō Acts 2:38 and the Synoptic Gospels. This word was the message of the Baptist, of Jesus, of Peter, of Paul, this radical change of attitude and life. [source]
Repent [μετανοειν]
Present active infinitive of μετανοεω — metanoeō in indirect command, a permanent command of perpetual force. See note on μετανοεω — metanoeō Acts 2:38 and the Synoptic Gospels. This word was the message of the Baptist, of Jesus, of Peter, of Paul, this radical change of attitude and life. [source]
Winked at [ὑπεριδὼν]
Only here in New Testament. Originally, to overlook; to suffer to pass unnoticed. So Rev., overlooked. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Acts 17:30

Acts 14:17 Food []
Mercury, as the god of merchandise, was also the dispenser of food. “No one can read the speech without once more perceiving its subtle and inimitable coincidence with his (Paul's) thoughts and expressions. The rhythmic conclusion is not unaccordant with the style of his most elevated moods; and besides the appropriate appeal to God's natural gifts in a town not in itself unhappily situated, but surrounded by a waterless and treeless plain, we may naturally suppose that the 'filling our hearts with food and gladness' was suggested by the garlands and festive pomp which accompanied the bulls on which the people would afterward have made their common banquet” (Farrar, “Life and Work of Paul”). For the coincidences between this discourse and other utterances of Paul, compare Acts 14:15, and 1 Thessalonians 1:9; Acts 14:16, and Romans 3:25; Acts 17:30; Acts 14:17, and Romans 1:19, Romans 1:20. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
[source]

Acts 14:16 Suffered [ειασεν]
Constative aorist active indicative of εαω — eaō (note syllabic augment). Paul here touches God in history as he did just before in creation. God‘s hand is on the history of all the nations (Gentile and Jew), only with the Gentiles he withdrew the restraints of his grace in large measure (Acts 17:30; Romans 1:24, Romans 1:26, Romans 1:28), judgment enough for their sins. To walk in their ways (πορευεσται ταις οδοις αυτων — poreuesthai tais hodois autōn). Present middle infinitive, to go on walking, with locative case without εν — en This philosophy of history does not mean that God was ignorant or unconcerned. He was biding his time in patience. [source]
Acts 4:29 And now [και τα νυν]
“And as to (accusative of general reference) the now things (the present situation).” Only in the Acts in the N.T. (Acts 5:38; Acts 17:30; Acts 20:32; Acts 27:22). [source]
Romans 3:25 For the remission of sins that are past [διὰ τὴν πάρεσιν τῶν προγεγονότων ἁμαρτημάτων]
Rev., correctly, because of the passing over of the sins done aforetime. Passing over, praetermission, differs from remission ( ἄφεσις ). In remission guilt and punishment are sent away; in praetermission they are wholly or partially undealt with. Compare Acts 14:16; Acts 17:30. Ἁμάρτημα sinis the separate and particular deed of disobedience, while ἁμαρτία includes sin in the abstract - sin regarded as sinfulness. Sins done aforetime are the collective sins of the world before Christ. [source]
Romans 3:25 Propitiation [ἱλαστήριον]
This word is most important, since it is the key to the conception of Christ's atoning work. In the New Testament it occurs only here and Hebrews 9:5; and must be studied in connection with the following kindred words: ἱλάσκομαι which occurs in the New Testament only Luke 18:13, God be merciful, and Hebrews 2:17, to make reconciliation. Ἱλασμός twice, 1 John 2:2; 1 John 4:10; in both cases rendered propitiation. The compound ἐξιλάσκομαι , which is not found in the New Testament, but is frequent in the Septuagint and is rendered purge, cleanse, reconcile, make atonement. Septuagint usage. These words mostly represent the Hebrew verb kaphar to cover or conceal, and its derivatives. With only seven exceptions, out of about sixty or seventy passages in the Old Testament, where the Hebrew is translated by atone or atonement, the Septuagint employs some part or derivative of ἱλάσκομαι or ἐξιλάσκομαι or Ἱλασμός or ἐξιλασμός is the usual Septuagint translation for kippurim covering for sin, A.V., atonement. Thus sin-offerings of atonement; day of atonement; ram of the atonement. See Exodus 29:36; Exodus 30:10; Leviticus 23:27; Numbers 5:8, etc. They are also used for chattath sin-offering, Amos 5:21-24; Ezekiel 45:19; and for selichah forgiveness. Psalm 129:4; Daniel 9:9. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
These words are always used absolutely, without anything to mark the offense or the person propitiated. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
Ἱλάσκομαι , which is comparatively rare, occurs as a translation of kipher to cover sin, Psalm 65:3; Psalm 78:38; Psalm 79:9; A.V., purge away, forgive, pardon. Of salach to bear away as a burden, 2 Kings 5:18; Psalm 25:11: A.V., forgive, pardon. It is used with the accusative (direct objective) case, marking the sin, or with the dative (indirect objective), as be conciliated to our sins. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
Ἑξιλάσκομαι mostly represents kipher to cover, and is more common than the simple verb. Thus, purge the altar, Ezekiel 43:26; cleanse the sanctuary, Ezekiel 45:20; reconcile the house, Daniel 9:24. It is found with the accusative case of that which is cleansed; with the preposition περί concerningas “for your sin,” Exodus 32:30; with the preposition ὑπέρ onbehalf of A.V., for, Ezekiel 45:17; absolutely, to make an atonement, Leviticus 16:17; with the preposition ἀπό fromas “cleansed from the blood,” Numbers 35:33. There are but two instances of the accusative of the person propitiated: appease him, Genesis 32:20; pray before (propitiate) the Lord, Zechariah 7:2. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
Ἱλαστηριον , A.V., propitiation, is almost always used in the Old Testament of the mercy-seat or golden cover of the ark, and this is its meaning in Hebrews 9:5, the only other passage of the New Testament in which it is found. In Ezekiel 43:14, Ezekiel 43:17, Ezekiel 43:20, it means a ledge round a large altar, and is rendered settle in A.V.; Rev., ledge, in margin. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
This term has been unduly pressed into the sense of explanatory sacrifice. In the case of the kindred verbs, the dominant Old-Testament sense is not propitiation in the sense of something offered to placate or appease anger; but atonement or reconciliation, through the covering, and so getting rid of the sin which stands between God and man. The thrust of the idea is upon the sin or uncleanness, not upon the offended party. Hence the frequent interchange with ἀγιάζω tosanctify, and καθαρίζω tocleanse. See Ezekiel 43:26, where ἐξιλάσονται shallpurge, and καθαριοῦσιν shallpurify, are used coordinately. See also Exodus 30:10, of the altar of incense: “Aaron shall make an atonement ( ἐξιλάσεται ) upon the horns of it - with the blood of the sin-offering of atonement ” ( καθαρισμοῦ purification). Compare Leviticus 16:20. The Hebrew terms are also used coordinately. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
Our translators frequently render the verb kaphar by reconcile, Leviticus 6:30; Leviticus 16:20; Ezekiel 45:20. In Leviticus 8:15, Moses put blood upon the horns of the altar and cleansed ( ἐκαθάρισε ) the altar, and sanctified ( ἡγίασεν ) it, to make reconciliation ( τοῦ ἐξιλάσασθαι ) upon it. Compare Ezekiel 45:15, Ezekiel 45:17; Daniel 9:24. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
The verb and its derivatives occur where the ordinary idea of expiation is excluded. As applied to an altar or to the walls of a house (Leviticus 14:48-53), this idea could have no force, because these inanimate things, though ceremonially unclean, could have no sin to be expiated. Moses, when he went up to make atonement for the idolatry at Sinai, offered no sacrifice, but only intercession. See also the case of Korah, Numbers 16:46; the cleansing of leprosy and of mothers after childbirth, Leviticus href="/desk/?q=le+12:7&sr=1">Leviticus 12:7; Leviticus 15:30; the reformation of Josiah, Ezra href="/desk/?q=ezr+10:1-15&sr=1">Ezra 10:1-15; the offering of the Israelite army after the defeat of Midian. They brought bracelets, rings, etc., to make an atonement ( ἐξιλάσασθαι ) before the Lord; not expiatory, but a memorial, Numbers 31:50-54. The Passover was in no sense expiatory; but Paul says, “Christ our Passover was sacrificed for us; therefore purge out ( ἐκκαθάρατε ) the old leaven. Let us keep the feast with sincerity and truth;” 1 Corinthians 5:7, 1 Corinthians 5:8. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
In the Old Testament the idea of sacrifice as in itself a propitiation continually recedes before that of the personal character lying back of sacrifice, and which alone gives virtue to it. See 1 Samuel 15:22; Psalm 40:6-10; Psalm 50:8-14, Psalm 50:23; Psalm 51:16, Psalm 51:17; Isaiah 1:11-18; Jeremiah 7:21-23; Ezekiel 44:27; Micah 6:6-8. This idea does not recede in the Old Testament to be reemphasized in the New. On the contrary, the New Testament emphasizes the recession, and lays the stress upon the cleansing and life-giving effect of the sacrifice of Christ. See John 1:29; Colossians 1:20-22; Hebrews 9:14; Hebrews 10:19-21; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 1:7; 1 John 4:10-13. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
The true meaning of the offering of Christ concentrates, therefore, not upon divine justice, but upon human character; not upon the remission of penalty for a consideration, but upon the deliverance from penalty through moral transformation; not upon satisfying divine justice, but upon bringing estranged man into harmony with God. As Canon Westcott remarks: “The scripture conception of ἱλάσκεσθαι is not that of appeasing one who is angry with a personal feeling against the offender, but of altering the character of that which, from without, occasions a necessary alienation, and interposes an inevitable obstacle to fellowship” (Commentary on St. John's Epistles, p. 85). -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
In the light of this conception we are brought back to that rendering of ἱλαστήριον which prevails in the Septuagint, and which it has in the only other New-Testament passage where it occurs (Hebrews 9:5) - mercy-seat; a rendering, maintained by a large number of the earlier expositors, and by some of the ablest of the moderns. That it is the sole instance of its occurrence in this sense is a fact which has its parallel in the terms Passover, Door, Rock, Amen, Day-spring, and others, applied to Christ. To say that the metaphor is awkward counts for nothing in the light of other metaphors of Paul. To say that the concealment of the ark is inconsistent with set forth is to adduce the strongest argument in favor of this rendering. The contrast with set forth falls in perfectly with the general conception. That mercy-seat which was veiled, and which the Jew could approach only once a fear, and then through the medium of the High-Priest, is now brought out where all can draw nigh and experience its reconciling power (Hebrews 10:19, Hebrews 10:22; compare Hebrews 9:8). “The word became flesh and dwelt among us. We beheld His glory. We saw and handled” (John 1:14; 1 John 1:1-3). The mercy-seat was the meetingplace of God and man (Exodus 25:17-22; Leviticus 16:2; Numbers 7:89); the place of mediation and manifestation. Through Christ, the antitype of the mercy-seat, the Mediator, man has access to the Father (Ephesians 2:18). As the golden surface covered the tables of the law, so Christ stands over the law, vindicating it as holy and just and good, and therewith vindicating the divine claim to obedience and holiness. As the blood was annually sprinkled on the golden cover by the High-Priest, so Christ is set forth “in His blood,” not shed to appease God's wrath, to satisfy God's justice, nor to compensate for man's disobedience, but as the highest expression of divine love for man, taking common part with humanity even unto death, that it might reconcile it through faith and self-surrender to God.Through faithConnect with propitiation (mercy-seat). The sacrifice of Christ becomes effective through the faith which appropriates it. Reconciliation implies two parties. “No propitiation reaches the mark that does not on its way, reconcile or bring into faith, the subject for whom it is made. There is no God-welcome prepared which does not open the guilty heart to welcome God” (Bushnell).In His bloodConstrue with set forth, and render as Rev., by His blood; i.e., in that He caused Him to shed His blood.To declare His righteousness ( εἱς ἔνδειξιν τῆς δικαιοσύνης αὐτοῦ )Lit., for a shewing, etc. Rev., to shew. For practical proof or demonstration. Not, as so often explained, to shew God's righteous indignation against sin by wreaking its penalty on the innocent Christ. The shewing of the cross is primarily the shewing of God's love and yearning to be at one with man (John 3:14-17). The righteousness of God here is not His “judicial” or “punitive” righteousness, but His righteous character, revealing its antagonism to sin in its effort to save man from his sin, and put forward as a ground of mercy, not as an obstacle to mercy.For the remission of sins that are past ( διὰ τὴν πάρεσιν τῶν προγεγονότων ἁμαρτημάτων )Rev., correctly, because of the passing over of the sins done aforetime. Passing over, praetermission, differs from remission ( ἄφεσις ). In remission guilt and punishment are sent away; in praetermission they are wholly or partially undealt with. Compare Acts 14:16; Acts 17:30. Ἁμάρτημα sinis the separate and particular deed of disobedience, while ἁμαρτία includes sin in the abstract - sin regarded as sinfulness. Sins done aforetime are the collective sins of the world before Christ.Through the forbearance of God ( ἐν τῇ ἀνοχῇ τοῦ Θεοῦ )Rev., in the forbearance. Construe with the passing by. The word ἀνοχή forbearancefrom ἀνέχω tohold up, occurs in the New Testament only here and Romans 2:4. It is not found in the Septuagint proper, and is not frequent in classical Greek, where it is used of a holding back or stopping of hostilities; a truce; in later Greek, a permission. The passage has given much trouble to expositors, largely, I think, through their insisting on the sense of forbearance with reference to sins - the toleration or refraining from punishment of sins done aforetime. But it is a fair construction of the term to apply it, in its primary sense of holding back, to the divine method of dealing with sin. It cannot be said that God passed over the sins of the world before Christ without penalty, for that is plainly contradicted by Romans 1:18-32; but He did pass them over in the sense that He did not apply, but held back the redeeming agency of God manifest in the flesh until the “fullness of time.” The sacrifices were a homage rendered to God's righteousness, but they did not touch sin with the power and depth which attached to Christ's sacrifice. No demonstration of God's righteousness and consequent hatred of sin, could be given equal to that of the life and death of Jesus. Hence Paul, as I take it, says: God set forth Christ as the world's mercy-seat, for the showing forth of His righteousness, because previously He had given no such manifestation of His righteousness, but had held it back, passing over, with the temporary institution of sacrifices, the sin at the roots of which He finally struck in the sacrifice of Christ. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
[source]

Romans 3:25 Done aforetime [προγεγονοτων]
Second perfect active genitive participle of προγινομαι — proginomai The sins before the coming of Christ (Acts 14:16; Acts 17:30; Hebrews 9:15). Forbearance (ανοχηι — anochēi). Holding back of God as in Romans 2:4. In this sense Christ tasted death for every man (Hebrews 2:9). [source]
Romans 1:24 God gave them up [παρεδωκεν αυτους ο τεος]
First aorist active indicative of παραδιδωμι — paradidōmi old and common verb to hand over (beside, παρα — para) to one‘s power as in Matthew 4:12. These people had already wilfully deserted God who merely left them to their own self-determination and self-destruction, part of the price of man‘s moral freedom. Paul refers to this stage and state of man in Acts 17:30 by “overlooked” The withdrawal of God‘s restraint sent men deeper down. Three times Paul uses παρεδωκεν — paredōken here (Romans 1:24, Romans 1:26, Romans 1:28), not three stages in the giving over, but a repetition of the same withdrawal. The words sound to us like clods on the coffin as God leaves men to work their own wicked will. That their bodies should be dishonoured (του ατιμαζεσται τα σωματα αυτων — tou atimazesthai ta sōmata autōn). Contemplated result expressed by του — tou (genitive article) and the passive infinitive ατιμαζεσται — atimazesthai (from ατιμος — atimos α — a privative and τιμος — timos dishonoured) with the accusative of general reference. Christians had a new sense of dignity for the body (1 Thessalonians 4:4; 1 Corinthians 6:13). Heathenism left its stamp on the bodies of men and women. [source]
Romans 3:25 A propitiation [ιλαστηριον]
The only other N.T. example of this word is in Hebrews 9:5 where we have the “cherubim overshadowing the mercy seat” In Hebrews the adjective is used as a substantive or as “the propitiatory place” But that idea does not suit here. Deissmann (Bible Studies, pp. 124-35) has produced examples from inscriptions where it is used as an adjective and as meaning “a votive offering” or “propitiatory gift.” Hence he concludes about Romans 3:25: “The crucified Christ is the votive gift of the Divine Love for the salvation of men.” God gave his Son as the means of propitiation (1 John 2:2). ιλαστηριον — Hilastērion is an adjective There is no longer room for doubting its meaning in Romans 3:25. Through faith, by his blood (δια πιστεως εν τωι αυτου αιματι — dia pisteōs en tōi autou haimati). So probably, connecting εν τοι αιματι — en toi haimati (in his blood) with προετετο — proetheto To show his righteousness See note on 2 Corinthians 8:24. “For showing of his righteousness,” the God-kind of righteousness. God could not let sin go as if a mere slip. God demanded the atonement and provided it. Because of the passing over (δια την παρεσιν — dia tēn paresin). Late word from παριημι — pariēmi to let go, to relax. In Dionysius Hal., Xenophon, papyri (Deissmann, Bible Studies, p. 266) for remission of punishment, especially for debt, as distinct from απεσις — aphesis (remission). Done aforetime Second perfect active genitive participle of προγινομαι — proginomai The sins before the coming of Christ (Acts 14:16; Acts 17:30; Hebrews 9:15). Forbearance (ανοχηι — anochēi). Holding back of God as in Romans 2:4. In this sense Christ tasted death for every man (Hebrews 2:9). [source]
Romans 3:25 To show his righteousness [εις ενδειχιν της δικαιοσυνης αυτου]
See note on 2 Corinthians 8:24. “For showing of his righteousness,” the God-kind of righteousness. God could not let sin go as if a mere slip. God demanded the atonement and provided it. Because of the passing over (δια την παρεσιν — dia tēn paresin). Late word from παριημι — pariēmi to let go, to relax. In Dionysius Hal., Xenophon, papyri (Deissmann, Bible Studies, p. 266) for remission of punishment, especially for debt, as distinct from απεσις — aphesis (remission). Done aforetime Second perfect active genitive participle of προγινομαι — proginomai The sins before the coming of Christ (Acts 14:16; Acts 17:30; Hebrews 9:15). Forbearance (ανοχηι — anochēi). Holding back of God as in Romans 2:4. In this sense Christ tasted death for every man (Hebrews 2:9). [source]
1 Peter 1:14 Not fashioning yourselves [μη συνσχηματιζομενοι]
Usual negative μη — mē with the participle (present direct middle of συνσχηματιζω — sunschēmatizō a rare (Aristotle, Plutarch) compound See Philemon 2:6. for contrast between μορπη — schēma (pattern) and ταις προτερον επιτυμιαις — morphē (form).According to your former lusts (συνσχηματιζομενοι — tais proteron epithumiais). Associative instrumental case after επιτυμια — sunschēmatizomenoi and the bad sense of εν τηι αγνοιαι υμων — epithumia as in 1 Peter 4:2; 2 Peter 1:4; James 1:14.In the time of your ignorance “In your ignorance,” but in attributive position before “lusts.” αγνοεω — Agnoia (from agnoeō to be ignorant) is old word, in N.T. only here, Acts 3:17; Acts 17:30; Ephesians 4:18. [source]
1 Peter 1:14 In the time of your ignorance [Αγνοια]
“In your ignorance,” but in attributive position before “lusts.” αγνοεω — Agnoia (from agnoeō to be ignorant) is old word, in N.T. only here, Acts 3:17; Acts 17:30; Ephesians 4:18. [source]
1 Peter 1:20 Before the foundation of the world [προ καταβολης κοσμου]
This precise curious phrase occurs in John 17:24 in the Saviour‘s mouth of his preincarnate state with the Father as here and in Ephesians 1:4. We have απο καταβολης κοσμου — apo katabolēs kosmou in Matthew 25:34 The preincarnate Messiah appears in the counsels of God also in 1 Corinthians 2:7; Colossians 1:26.; Ephesians 1:9.; Ephesians 3:9-11; Romans 16:25; 1 Timothy 1:9.But was manifested (πανερωτεντος δε — phanerōthentos de). First aorist (ingressive) passive participle of πανεροω — phaneroō referring to the Incarnation in contrast with the preexistence of Christ (cf. John 1:31; 1 John 3:5, 1 John 3:8).At the end of the times Like επ εσχατου των ημερων — ep' eschatou tōn hēmerōn (Hebrews 1:2). The plural χρονοι — chronoi doubtless referring to successive periods in human history until the fullness of the time came (Galatians 4:4).For your sake (δι υμας — di' humās). Proof of God‘s love, not of their desert or worth (Acts 17:30.; Hebrews 11:39.). [source]
1 Peter 1:20 At the end of the times [επ εσχατου των χρονων]
Like επ εσχατου των ημερων — ep' eschatou tōn hēmerōn (Hebrews 1:2). The plural χρονοι — chronoi doubtless referring to successive periods in human history until the fullness of the time came (Galatians 4:4).For your sake (δι υμας — di' humās). Proof of God‘s love, not of their desert or worth (Acts 17:30.; Hebrews 11:39.). [source]
1 Peter 1:20 For your sake [δι υμας]
Proof of God‘s love, not of their desert or worth (Acts 17:30.; Hebrews 11:39.). [source]
2 Peter 3:9 Slackness [βραδυτητα]
Old substantive from βραδυς — bradus (James 1:19), here only in N.T. God is not impotent nor unwilling to execute his promise.To youward (εις υμας — eis humas). Προς — Pros rather than εις — eis after μακροτυμει — makrothumei in 1 Thessalonians 5:14 and επι — epi in James 5:7, etc.Not wishing Present middle participle of βουλομαι — boulomai Some will perish (2 Peter 3:7), but that is not God‘s desire. Any Rather than “some” See Acts 17:30; Romans 11:32; 1 Timothy 2:4; Hebrews 2:9 for God‘s provision of grace for all who will repent. [source]
2 Peter 3:9 Not wishing [μη βουλομενος]
Present middle participle of βουλομαι — boulomai Some will perish (2 Peter 3:7), but that is not God‘s desire. Any Rather than “some” See Acts 17:30; Romans 11:32; 1 Timothy 2:4; Hebrews 2:9 for God‘s provision of grace for all who will repent. [source]

What do the individual words in Acts 17:30 mean?

The indeed therefore times - of ignorance having overlooked - God - now He commands - men all everywhere to repent
Τοὺς μὲν οὖν χρόνους τῆς ἀγνοίας ὑπεριδὼν Θεὸς τὰ νῦν παραγγέλλει τοῖς ἀνθρώποις πάντας πανταχοῦ μετανοεῖν

μὲν  indeed 
Parse: Particle
Root: μέν  
Sense: truly, certainly, surely, indeed.
χρόνους  times 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: χρόνος  
Sense: time either long or short.
τῆς  - 
Parse: Article, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἀγνοίας  of  ignorance 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: ἄγνοια  
Sense: lack of knowledge, ignorance.
ὑπεριδὼν  having  overlooked 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: παροράω 
Sense: to overlook, take no notice of, not attend to.
  - 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Θεὸς  God 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: θεός  
Sense: a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities.
τὰ  - 
Parse: Article, Accusative Neuter Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
νῦν  now 
Parse: Adverb
Root: νῦν  
Sense: at this time, the present, now.
παραγγέλλει  He  commands 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: παραγγέλλω  
Sense: to transmit a message along from one to another, to declare, announce.
τοῖς  - 
Parse: Article, Dative Masculine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἀνθρώποις  men 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Plural
Root: ἄνθρωπος  
Sense: a human being, whether male or female.
πανταχοῦ  everywhere 
Parse: Adverb
Root: πανταχῇ 
Sense: everywhere.
μετανοεῖν  to  repent 
Parse: Verb, Present Infinitive Active
Root: μετανοέω  
Sense: to change one’s mind, i.