One of the great lessons Jesus taught was that humans are to become childlike in finding their way into the Kingdom of God (Luke 18:17). He used that example not to tell people to revert to childishness, but to beware becoming entangled with the thought patterns that prevent one from seeking truth and recognizing it. Paul experienced the mental roadblocks the thinkers in Athens put in place for themselves (Acts 17:21).

All too often people make the simple complex when they ought to be able to make the complex simple. A fool is one who will complicate that which is simple. Some of the thinkers in Athens remained fools because they were not willing or able to hear and grasp truth. No doubt they thought they were at higher levels of intellect. It is noted that some mocked Paul’s words, and some said they would like to hear more (Acts 17:32). There is no record of a church being formed in Athens through the teachings of Paul. Even highly educated people can be teachable and childlike.