A Seed Picker (σπερμολόγος)
While Paul was waiting in Athens, his spirit was stirred up because of all the idols in the city (Acts 17:16). They even had an idol to the Unknown God, just in case they missed one (Acts 17:23). As Paul discussed with those who would listen in the marketplace, certain Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him. The philosophers used a word to describe Paul, a label that could apply to many claiming to be Christians today (Acts 17:18).
A spermologos (σπερμολόγος) is a person who acquires information from different sources and passes it on to others. However, they lack comprehension concerning the matter. They are sowers of words, spreading information superficially. This concept comes across in English as a pseudo-intellectual or a scavenger of knowledge. They do not actually understand the information they have obtained; however, they are most willing to add their opinion on matters, even though in reality they are just inarticulate babblers.
The Epicurean and Stoic philosophers spent their time in nothing else other than to tell or hear something new, considering themselves to be learned. However, Paul was the one who had the whole truth regarding God, and they were the real spermologos (seed pickers). They listened to Paul until he came to the resurrection of Christ. This statement caused many of them to mock him, and the remaining dismissed his knowledge. The things of God are foolishness to the wisdom of men because they do not have the inherent ability to understand Spiritual things.
Do you know why you believe what you say you believe, or is it just because your pastor, or an influential teacher, said it? Do your actions show that you consider honestly what you say you are convinced of? The truth of God’s Word is readily available today in a way that has never existed before. Yet many are highly ignorant concerning the basics of the Christian life.
We are living in the time of the Laodicean assembly, when the predominate condition of the Church on earth is wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked, in terms of doctrine, yet has substantial wealth (Revelation 3:17). Many assemblies have traded proper doctrine for worldly wealth and teachers that scratch their ears rather than speak the truth (2 Timothy 4:3). However, God still has strong assemblies that hold sturdy to His word just as the Philadelphia assembly. Although it was a small assembly, it guarded God’s word and did not deny His name (Revelation 3:8). Don't be a spermologos—someone who gathers fragments of knowledge without understanding the truth. Instead, take the time to genuinely comprehend what you believe. Stop picking up seeds of knowledge and not understanding the truth behind them. Take the time to properly comprehend what you believe, for the truth is out there, and God has many pastors who speak it. You may not find them in the big churches because they reject the ways of the world and hold to God’s word. However, if you look, you will discover they are around you. You will be better off after spending time under their shepherding, for they will guide you to the truth so that you are no longer an inarticulate babbler who is tossed around by every wind of teaching by the trickery of men.