What? Are none of these [pagan Athenians] to be punished? No, not if they are willing to repent [emphasis mine]. [Paul] says this not of the departed by of those whom he is addressing [in Athens]. [God] does not yet call you to account, Paul says. He does not say, “[God] neglected” or “[God] permitted,” but “You [Athenians] were ignorant. [God] overlooked.” That is, he does not exact punishment from you as from men deserving punishment. You were ignorant.

—John Chrysostom, Homilies on the Acts of the Apostles 38