These words were not addressed to a church, but to a heathen group who were worshipping "the unknown God" and who mocked when the apostle preached the resurrection of the dead unto them. The apostle Paul would have the Epicureans and stoics, and the Athenian philosophers to know that they owed their very existence and preservation to the One who created the world and all things therein, and that all their very actions were under His complete control. 

    Unbelievers are just as much the creatures of God as believers. They are, and must be, upheld by the same divine power, and fed by the same providence. The very breath by which they deny and blaspheme God is a product of His benevolence to them. Every day they blindly, thanklessly and uncaringly "bite the hand that feeds them." They are like the swine that feed upon the acorns under the oaks and never look up or give a thought to where their nourishment comes from. And in this wretched state of unthoughtedness and unthankfulness they will remain forever unless grace prevents. 

    We have often thought of our text as a very good example of the exactness and accuracy of the Scriptures. Contrary to popular religion, the text has life before action. "In whom we live" first, and then "move". The doctrine of the masses has it just the reverse, saying, "If the spiritually dead will move (accept Christ, or perform various other conditions) then as a result they will live spiritually." This is not only contrary to common sense, but it is a totally unworkable theology. In all cases life must precede action. God gives life to His people and then there is movement. This is true both in the natural and spiritual realms. 

    The false idea of the origin of the species through an evolutionary process also requires some kind of movement or activity on the part of some material or substance in order that it may come to life. This of course, like arminianism, makes no sense. God is the sole source of all life. An enemy of God deciding on his own to become a lover of God is about as likely as a rock deciding to become a tree.