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A.T. Robertson · Citado em PreceptAustin
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Robertson comments on the peace the church enjoyed - The obvious meaning is that the persecution ceased because the persecutor had been converted. The wolf no longer ravined the sheep. It is true also that the effort of Caligula A.D. 39 to set up his image in the temple in Jerusalem for the Jews to worship greatly excited the Jews and gave them troubles of their own (Josephus Antiquities 18.8.2–9)....(enjoyed peace = had peace is) Imperfect active. Kept on having peace, enjoying peace, because the persecution had ceased. (Acts 9 Commentary) John Phillips on enjoyed peace - It is not only the blood of the martyrs that is the seed of the church. God can use times of rest and tranquility as well as times of rage and tribulation. He brings His people into green pastures and beside the still waters from time to time. He makes even our enemies to be at peace with us. A truce now seems to have been accepted in Palestine. Jews and Christians decided to leave each other alone. Judaism set its sails towards the sunset in its stubborn refusal to acknowledge Jesus as Messiah. The church dropped anchor for the time being before spreading its sails again in search of new worlds to win for Christ. (See Exploring Acts: An Expository Commentary) Peace (1515)(eirene from verb eiro = to join or bind together that which has been separated) literally pictures the binding or joining together again of that which had been separated or divided and thus setting at one again, a meaning convey by the common expression of one “having it all together”. It follows that peace is the opposite of division or dissension. Peace as a state of concord and harmony is the opposite of war. Peace is a condition of freedom from disturbance, whether outwardly, as used here to describe the church or inwardly, personal inner peace of individual saints. Being built up - The present tense signifies that this was happening continually. How? We see a major "clue" in Acts 20:32+ where Paul gives his parting instructions to the elders of the church at Ephesus writing... “And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able (WHAT IS THAT EDIFIES? DON'T MISS IT!!!) to build you up (oikodomeo) and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. Clearly, the preaching and teaching of the pure milk of the Word (1 Pe 2:2+) was foundational. The Word of God is the "building blocks" (so to speak), which the Spirit of God can then take and use to grow the saints in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Pe 3:18+). Robertson comments on being built up that "One result of the enjoyment of peace after the persecution was the continued edification (Latin word aedificatio for building up a house), a favourite figure with Paul." (Acts 9 Commentary) Being built up (edifed) (3618)(oikodomeo from oikos = dwelling + doma = building [of a house] from demo = to build) means literally to build, construct or erect a dwelling. To build a house. Figuratively it means to edify. BDAG has "to help improve ability to function in living responsibly and effectively." In our English dictionaries to edify means "to instruct and improve especially in moral and religious knowledge." Most of the uses in the Gospels are of a literal building (Mt 7:24, 26; 23:29; Mk 12:1; Lk 6:48; 12:18) Most of Paul's uses of oikodomeo are figurative and refer to spiritual edification - 1 Cor 8:1, 10:23, 1 Cor 14:4, 17, 1 Th 5:11) The early church was growing in grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Pe 3:18). Note, not just in knowledge but in love (and grace), for "Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies." Beougher - We grow spiritually (ARE EDIFIED) through spiritual food and spiritual exercise. Our spiritual food is the regular intake of God’s Word, and our spiritual exercise is our ministry and service (ED: I WOULD ALSO ADD SPIRIT ENABLED OBEDIENCE TO THE WORD WE TAKE IN). If you are going to grow spiritually, it will cost you time and effort (see Col. 2:6, 7+). Are you growing in Christ or just growing old? Rick Coram said, “God cannot do something through a church until God does something in a church.” Edification is a work of God in the church and for the church. And going on in the fear of the Lord - Or walking in the fear of the Lord where walking involves a way of life. The NET Bible has "Living in the fear of the Lord." Going on is present tense signifying continually living in the light of and being motivated by this powerful truth, the fear of the Lord. The fear of the Lord is not a fright or terror or dread of the Lord, but a sense of reverence for His holiness and majesty and grace. (See The Fear of the Lord) How many sermons have you heard on the Fear of the Lord? Probably none. This topic is seldom preached on as it is often relegated to an "Old Testament teaching." I taught a Sunday Class once on the Fear of the Lord and one of the mature women (a BSF substitute teaching leader) gently objected with the statement "That's an OT teaching. Now that Jesus has come we don't need to fear the Lord." Oh, how wrong she was, as even this verse describing the growth of the early demonstrates. What would God's Spirit do in your church today if your people began to truly comprehend and live in the light of a bibliocentric fear of the Lord? I think you know the answer! In fact fear of the Lord is scattered throughout the NT (e.g., Mt 10:28, Lk 1:50, Lk 12:5, 2 Cor 5:11, 7:1, Eph 5:21, Eph 6:5, Php 2:12+, 1 Pe 1:17+ - read that one again! Memorize it! Rev 14:7+ = the "Eternal Gospel" in Rev 14:6! Rev 15:4, And finally the last use in the Bible = Rev 19:5+ - This is a call to the saints in heaven!) So "fear" is a firm foundation of the faith. To jettison a study of fear of the Lord is to miss the beginning of knowledge and wisdom for Pr 1:7, 9:10! Since most saints have never heard a sermon on this critically important doctrine, let me encourage you to take 68 minutes and listen carefully to Dr Steve Lawson as he preaches an excellent message on The Fear of the Lord.) And then if you are a pastor or teacher, I would strongly encourage you to preach or teach a short series on The Fear of the Lord. You may experience a little push back as I did, but you won't regret it! Job "got it" for Job 1:1 describes him as "blameless, upright, fearing God and turning away from evil." Why was Job habitually turning away from evil? Because he had a holy fear of God (cf the frequent association of fear and evil - Job 28:28, Pr 3:7, 8:13, 16:6, 19:23). Paul says the days are evil (Eph 5:16+). What is the Biblical antidote for evil? How can we obey Paul's command to "be careful (blepo in present imperative = as your lifestyle - only possible by continued dependence on the Holy Spirit) how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise (IN WISDOM)?" (Eph 5:15+, read Pr 9:10) Just some food for thought! INSIGHT - When we come to the subject of the fear of God, the Bible speaks of "fear" of the Lord in some 295 verses! Scripture speaks of men fearing God, His name, His Law or His Word. In the OT there are 235 ref to the fear of God. In the NT there are 43 references to the fear of God which, by the way, is the same number of references as man’s love to God! From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible proclaims that the fear of the Lord is a fountain of life and those who drink deeply of it shall have the blessings of God in this life and in the life to come. However, those who reject the fear of the Lord will end up in the ways of death. There is no middle road! The fear of God is the predominant response to and fundamental attitude toward God, His Word, His Law and His name, that God desires. This is why it is mentioned more times than any other aspect of vital piety. (From The Fear of the Lord) Jack Andrews - When we fear the Lord we will want to live a life that is pleasing to Him. Fearing the Lord means that we will not act independently of Him or live like we do not know Him or like we will not be accountable to Him. (Expository Sermons) And in the comfort of the Holy Spirit - "Walking...in the comfort of the Holy Spirit" (Act 9:31ESV) Paraklesis from the Parakletos (Comforter, Helper - another Name for the Holy Spirit - KJV refers to the Spirit as the Comforter four times = Jn 14:16KJV, Jn 14:26KJV, Jn 15:26KJV, Jn 16:7KJV)! Are you in need of comfort or encouragement? The One Who can provide for your need lives within you! Lean on Him. He is able. Timothy Beougher - Acts 9:31 tells us the New Testament church was, “walking … in the comfort of the Holy Spirit.” This church was alive! A clear spiritual dynamic was at work! Distinct characteristics identify a dynamic church. The church must live by faith (Heb. 11:6; 2 Cor. 5:7). The church must commit to holiness (Eph. 4:30). The church must depend on prayer (Eph. 6:18). Without these components, our church would be dead! Are we making progress in these areas? Andrews - "When we walk in the fear of the Lord we will have the comfort of the Holy Spirit. Where there is compliance to God there will be comfort from God. When we have a genuine fear of the Lord we will have God’s comfort in our lives" (Expository Sermons) Comfort ("encouragement" NLT, CSB) (3874)(paraklesis from parakaléo = beseech <> pará = side of + kaléo = call) refers to calling to one's side or one's aid which can be for the purpose of providing solace, comfort, consolation, exhortation, encouragement. Comfort is from Latin com = with + fortis = strong, and means to invigorate, to enliven, to cheer, to strengthen one's mind when depressed, to give new vigor to one's spirits, to give strength or hope to another, to ease their grief or trouble. Encouragement is from en = in + corage from Latin cor = heart. It describes the act of inspiring one with confidence and/or hope, filling with strength, and suggests that the raising of one’s confidence is accomplished especially through an external agency.
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Robertson has a great word picture on empneo - Not “breathing out,” but “breathing in” (inhaling) as in Aeschylus and Plato or “breathing on” (from Homer on). The partitive genitive of apeile and phonos means that threatening and slaughter had come to be the very breath that Saul breathed, like a warhorse who sniffed the smell of battle. He breathed on the remaining disciples the murder that he had already breathed in from the death of the others. He exhaled what he inhaled. Jacob had said that “Benjamin is a ravenous wolf” (Gen. 49:27). This greatest son of Benjamin (cf Php 3:5) was fulfilling this prophecy (Furneaux). The taste of blood in the death of Stephen was pleasing to young Saul (Acts 8:1) and now he revelled in the slaughter of the saints both men and women. In Acts 26:11 Luke quotes Paul as saying that he was “exceedingly mad against them.” (Acts 9 Commentary) Matthew Henry paints quite a picture of Saul's anti-christ state of mind at this time - He even breathed in this as in his element. He breathed it out with heat and vehemence; his very breath, like that of some venomous creatures, was pestilential. He breathed death to the Christians, wherever he came; he puffed at them in his pride (Ps. 12:4, 5), spit his venom at them in his rage. Saul yet breathing thus intimates, (1.) That he still persisted in it; not satisfied with the blood of those he had slain, he still cries, Give, give. (2.) That he should shortly be of another mine; as yet he breathes out threatenings and slaughter, but he has not long to live such a life as this, that breath will be stopped shortly.
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Robertson adds that "It is a Jewish definition of life as in Isa. 40:3 “the way of the Lord"....The North American Indians call Christianity the Jesus Road." (Acts 9 Commentary) Longenecker comments that "The origin of the absolute use of “the Way” for Christians is uncertain, though it surely had something to do with the early believers’ consciousness of walking in the true path of God’s salvation and moving forward to accomplish his purposes." (Expositors Bible Commentary) Matthew
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Robertson says Nero killed 10,000, Longenecker above quotes Josephus at 10,000 and 18,000). So there had to be at least that many there. So there's a Jewish community in this place called Damascus. Another note that you need to understand. Christianity, in its original context, stayed within the framework of the synagogue. (ED: WHICH IS WHY THERE WERE "letters from him to the synagogues at Damascus" Acts 9:2) You remember that in Jerusalem, when the Jews were getting saved, they didn't necessarily leave the synagogue. You'll also remember that when Paul went to the Christians in various towns on his missionary journeys, where did he always go? To the synagogue. Because, in many cases, the Christians had not yet separated themselves from the synagogue. Christianity began in the synagogue and went from there. So in every area it began with a group of Jews who then saw the new covenant and moved away from that, but they didn't necessarily move out of the synagogue. That was a problem and that is the problem on which the Book of Hebrews is based, the fact that you had Jews who had come to Christ but who maintained their involvement in all of the rigmarole of the Jewish synagogue. And so that was why the Book of Hebrews was written....to detach the Christians from the traditions that were so much a part of their former life. And suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him - In Acts 22:6 Paul describes the light from heaven as "a very bright light suddenly (exaiphnes) flashed from heaven all around me." This light was "brighter than the sun" and was "shining all around" Saul (Acts 26:13). Compare Stephen's experience as he was being stoned in Acts 7:55+ "being full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God." Saul was spiritual blind until the Spirit opened the eyes of his heart to see Jesus. Later he would write... And even if our Gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ, Who is the image of God. (2 Corinthians 4:3-4+) Saul met the Savior and went from physical light to physical darkness and from spiritual darkness to spiritual light! He went from being the hit-man from hell to being the holy man from heaven. God had opened the eyes of his heart and shut the eyes in his head! Are the temporary trinkets of this passing world blinding the eyes of your heart to see Jesus high and lifted up? Jesus said "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth." (Mt 6:24+) Confess that you have not daily been fixing the eyes of your heart on Jesus and then pray this chorus... Open the eyes of my heart Lord. Open the eyes of my heart I want to see You, I want to see You. To see You high and lifted up Shining in the light of Your glory. Pour our Your power and love As we sing holy, holy, holy. What was this light? In the Old Testament we see light, the Shekinah glory, that guided Israel through their wilderness journey, Moses recording that "The LORD was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night." (Ex 13:21, cf Ex 40:38, Nu 9:15-23) While we cannot be absolutely certain, it is reasonable to suggest that the light from heaven that was about to guide Saul was similar to the Shekinah glory cloud that led Israel in the OT. Here the Shekinah glory will guide Saul lost in the "wilderness" of dead Judaism and into the way of salvation. Ultimately this light from heaven was an emanation from the resurrected and glorified Christ. At the Transfiguration, the face of Jesus "shone like the sun." (Mt 17:2) In the Revelation, the apostle John describes the glorified Christ declaring that "His face was like the sun shining in its strength." (Rev 1:16+) Horton has an interesting comment on the glory of this light from heaven - When Jesus rose from the dead, His resurrection body was transformed—it was immortal and incorruptible, as ours will be (1 Cor. 15:52-53). But the glory was not restored until after He ascended. Probably the disciples could not have stood the glory during the forty days Jesus remained on earth with them. But now He came to Saul as the risen and glorified Christ. (Acts: A Logion Press Commentary) Matthew Henry on light from heaven - It shone round about him, not in his face only, but on every side of him let him turn which way he will, he finds himself surrounded with the discoveries of it. And this was designed not only to startle him, and awaken his attention (for well may he expect to hear when he is thus made to see something very extraordinary), but to signify the enlightening of his understanding with the knowledge of Christ. The devil comes to the soul in darkness by this he gets and keeps possession of it. But Christ comes to the soul in light, for He is Himself the light of the world (Jn 8:12), bright and glorious to us, as light. The first thing in this new creation, as in that of the world, is light, 2 Corinthians 4:6 ("For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ."). Hence all Christians are said to be children of the light and of the day, Ephesians 5:8+, 1 Th 5:8+. Suddenly (1810)(exaiphnes from ek = of + aíphnes = suddenly) means happening unexpectedly, quickly without warning, unexpectedly, at once. This adverb exaiphnes was used earlier by Luke in the context of Jesus birth when "suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying." (Luke 2:13) Exaiphnes was also used to refer to the unexpected nature of Jesus' return at His glorious Second Coming (Mk 13:36, cf "great glory" - Mt 24:30). John Calvin thought that Christ appeared to Paul in a flash of lightning or a thunderbolt, but that seems very unlikely. Lightning is but for a second, and in this case there had to be enough time for words to come from the flash of light. Flashed (4015)(periastrapto from peri = about, around + astrapto - to shine like lightning) means to shine very brightly around an object, in this case the object being the man Saul (only used here and in the conversion story in Acts 22:6). Luke uses a different verb in the third version of Paul's testimony -- "shining all around" in Acts 26:13 is the verb perilampo (peri = around + lampo = to shine) means literally to shine all around and is used in Lk 2:9+ when an angel of the Lord stood before the shepherds "and the glory of the Lord shone around them." Related Resources: What is the Shekinah glory? What is a glory cloud? Is a glory cloud biblical? Glory of God Acts 9:4 and he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" (NASB: Lockman) KJV Acts 9:4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? he fell to the ground Acts 5:10; Nu 16:45; John 18:6; Ro 11:22; 1 Cor 4:7 Saul Ge 3:9; 16:8; 22:11; Exodus 3:4; Luke 10:41; John 20:16; 21:15 why are you persecuting Me Acts 22:7,8; 26:14,15; Isa 63:9; Zech 2:8; Mt 25:40,45,46; 1 Cor 12:12; Eph 5:30 Acts 9 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries See Map of Events Associated with Saul's conversion and ministry The Conversion of Saint Paul, Luca Giordano, 1690 GOD SPOKE AND GOD WAS JESUS Someone has quipped that this was the supernatural showdown at high noon! This was the day a foe of Christ became a follower of Christ! If Jesus could save Saul, is there anyone He could not save? The answer to this rhetorical question is of course a resounding "No!" And he fell to the ground - Clearly Saul was overwhelmed by the light fell probably prostrate as was typical of Orientals did to show humility, respect and at times worship. This was more than a bolt of lightning, because that usually does not make one fall to the ground (but to run for shelter). This was supernatural light, brighter than the sun, because it reflected the glory of the Son who created the sun. In the Scriptures when men encountered similar manifestations of God, their usual response was to fall on their face. Read the records of men's response before God - Abram in Genesis 17:3, 17; Moses and Aaron in Nu 20:6+, Moses in Ex 34:6, 7, 8+ Joshua 5:14, 15+, Ezekiel in Ezek 1:28+, apostle John (the disciple Jesus loved) in Rev 1:17+, 24 elders in Rev 4:10+, Rev 5:8+, Rev 7:11+. THOUGHT - When you come into the presence of the Lord, have you ever fallen on your face? As someone said ''There is a dangerous absence of awe and worship in our assemblies today. We are boasting about standing on our own feet, instead of being broken and falling at His feet." For years Evan Roberts prayed:''Bend me! Bend me!'''God answered finally in the form of the 1904-05 Welsh Revival! Perhaps it would be a good experience to come into a worship service and be so overwhelmed with the glory of God, that the entire congregation fell on its face (cf Israel's reaction in Lev 9:24+). Just a thought to ponder. Be careful what you read in commentaries (including this one)! Some famous artistic renderings depict Saul as having been struck down from a horse by lightning, but the text does not support this presumption. Lightning at noon time borders on ridiculous. Adam Clarke wisely quipped “Painters are, in almost every case, wretched commentators.” The lesson is, enjoy the fine art, but reject the wretched commentary! A number of commentaries explain this event in Saul's life as an epileptic seizure! Charles
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Robertson - Saul surrendered instantly as Thomas did (John 20:28) and as little Samuel (1 Sam. 3:9). This surrender of the will to Christ was the conversion of Saul. He saw a real Person, the Risen Christ, to whom he surrendered his life. On this point he never wavered for a moment to the end. (Acts 9 Commentary) Remember that to be converted means to be "turned around," so that Saul (and all believers) are "turned around by Christ" and face the opposite direction (a very similar picture is seen with repentance). Saul the persecutor will become Paul the preacher. And just as the world was amazed at Saul's conversion, the lost world is always amazed (and often very disturbed) when someone they knew in the darkness, turns to the light and begins to walk in the light. Did your conversion have that impact on those who knew you when you were still in Adam before the Spirit place you forever in Christ? Steven
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Robertson - Human agents like Ananias can finish what Jesus by supernatural manifestation has here begun in Saul. (Has God called you to act as an "Ananias" to anyone in your life?) (Acts 9 Commentary) Must (present tense = continual obligation)(1163)(dei - English deontology = science of moral duty) describes that which is necessary or under necessity of happening. What Jesus tells Saul/Paul is not arbitrary but is to be a compulsion. This same verb is used again by Jesus speaking to Paul telling him “Take courage; for as you have solemnly witnessed to My cause at Jerusalem, so you must witness at Rome also.” (Acts 23:11) And in (Acts 27:24) an angel was sent "saying, ‘Do not be afraid (THE STORM AND COMING SHIPWRECK), Paul; you must stand before Caesar; and behold, God has granted you all those who are sailing with you." Jesus uses this verb of obligation again when He says "I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake." (Acts 9:16). In Acts 14:22 dei describes the journey all believers traverse on their way to the Kingdom of God - "“Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.” The Philippian jailer asked Paul and Silas “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” May favorite use is the last which describes "the things which must soon take place," at the end of this age (Rev 22:6+). All Luke's uses of dei in Acts - Acts 1:16; Acts 1:21; Acts 3:21; Acts 4:12; Acts 5:29; Acts 9:6; Acts 9:16; Acts 14:22; Acts 15:5; Acts 16:30; Acts 17:3; Acts 19:21; Acts 20:35; Acts 23:11; Acts 24:19; Acts 25:10; Acts 25:24; Acts 26:9; Acts 27:21; Acts 27:24; Acts 27:26 Do (4160)(poieo) in this context means to undertake to do something, to accomplish the task. Jesus will explain more fully to Ananias Saul's mission would be "to bear (Jesus') name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel." (Acts 9:15) In Luke's third version of the Saul's Damascus Road conversion Jesus adds some detail about what Saul/Paul must do... ‘But get up and stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I will appear to you rescuing you from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you, (Acts 26:16-17+) A T Robertson adds "It is hardly likely that Luke records all that Jesus said to Saul, but more was to come on his arrival in Damascus. Saul had received all that he could bear just now (John 16:12)." (Acts 9 Commentary) Warren
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Robertson - The blindness was proof that something had happened to him and that it was no hallucination that he had seen the Risen Christ. (Acts 9 Commentary) And though his eyes were open (anoigo), he could see nothing - The irony is inescapable. As a rabid persecutor of the disciples of Jesus, his eyes were wide open and able to see his innocent victims physically, at the same time being spiritually blinded to the truth that Jesus was their Messiah. Now at conversion the irony is that he cannot see with his physical eyes, but his spiritual eyes have now been opened wide! Note that it was not the dazzling effect of the supernatural light that had blinded him, because if that were the etiology, his traveling companions would also have been struck blind and clearly they were not as shown by the fact that they will lead him into Damascus. Matthew Henry suggests "it was a sight of Christ, Whom the rest saw not, that had this effect upon him. Thus a believing sight of the glory of God in the face of Christ dazzles the eyes to all things here below." As the hymn writer said "The things of this earth grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace!" Are you still finding temporal trinkets and babbles irresistable dear disciple of Jesus? If so, the antidote is a fresh encounter with the risen Christ, through His righteous Word, illuminated by His Holy Spirit! In a word, get into the Word daily (cf Mt 4:4, Lk 4:4+), so the Word gets in you and transformed by the Spirit (2 Cor 3:18+) you begin have clearer and clearer Vertical Vision. Imagine what was likely Saul's last actual visual image before the scales fell over his eyes? The Risen Christ! O, to have such a vision in our morning times (cf Quiet Time), that He might be on our heart and mind the rest of our busy day! Amen. Amazing Grace! How sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now I’m found, Was blind, but now I see!” “ ’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, And grace my fears relieved; How precious did that grace appear The hour I first believed!” Open (455)(anoigo from ana = again + oigo = to open) means to open, to open up, to open again, to give access to. Luke uses this same verb to describe Jesus' instruction to Paul describing his mission to the Gentiles "to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.’ (Acts 26:18+). Here in Acts 9:8 anoigo is in the perfect tense which describes Saul's eyes as having been opened (physically) and remaining open but unable to see anything (cf his previous state of his eyes physically open but as a persecutor of the Church effectively unable to see spiritually!). Of course this time most importantly the "eyes of the heart" of Saul had also been opened and would remain open for the remainder of his life and throughout eternity. Dear reader, have the eyes of your heart been opened to see and receive the Gospel of Jesus Christ? The glory of His Gospel (cf 2 Cor 4:4 = "the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God") is still able to open blind eyes! Here are all of Luke's uses of anoigo in Acts -Acts 5:19; Acts 5:23; Acts 8:32; Acts 8:35; Acts 9:8; Acts 9:40; Acts 10:11; Acts 10:34; Acts 12:10; Acts 12:14; Acts 12:16; Acts 14:27; Acts 16:26; Acts 16:27; Acts 18:14; Acts 26:18 The question arises is this - Did Saul actually see Jesus because the text does not definitely make that statement? The answer is "yes," when we compare the following Scriptures. And remember that even if these Scriptures were not available for support, since Paul is called an apostle, by definition he had to have seen the resurrected Jesus ("these [must] become a witness...of His resurrection" - Acts 1:22+). 1 Corinthians 9:1 Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord? 1 Corinthians 15:8 and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also. Galatians 1:16-17 to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away to Arabia, and returned once more to Damascus. Acts 9:17 So Ananias departed and entered the house, and after laying his hands on him said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 9:27 But Barnabas took hold of him and brought him to the apostles and described to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had talked to him, and how at Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus. Comment - So here in Acts 9 two witnesses (Ananias and Barnabas) testify that Saul had actually seen the resurrected Jesus. Acts 22:14 And he (Ananias) said, ‘The God of our fathers has appointed you to know His will and to see the Righteous One and to hear an utterance from His mouth. The fact that Saul testifies to having actually literally seen Jesus, indicates that his blindness could not have been immediate or otherwise how could he have seen the resurrected Jesus? How ironic is this entire experience when compared with the experience of Stephen when he was being stoned. Jesus appears here in Acts 9 to one who witnessed the stoning and heard Stephen describe his vision of Jesus, but who himself could not see the vision. Now this same man is struck down by the glory of the Lord (rather than by stones) and he sees a vision of the glory of Jesus. How inscrutable is Your understanding (Isa 40:28, cf Isa 55:8) and how "Great and marvelous are Your works, O Lord God, the Almighty." (Rev 15:3+) Amen. But being full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; 56 and he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” 57 But they cried out with a loud voice, and covered their ears and rushed at him with one impulse (THERE IS NO RECORD THEY SAW ANY EVIDENCE OF GOD'S GLORY). 58 When they had driven him out of the city, they began stoning him; and the witnesses laid aside their robes at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 They went on stoning Stephen as he called on the Lord and said, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” 60 Then falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” Having said this, he fell asleep. (Acts 7:55-60+) Comment - Saul's conversion by Jesus is in essence an answer to Stephen's prayer! The Lord did in fact not hold it against Saul that he was an approving witness to Stephen's illegal stoning! We need to always pray without ceasing, for we know not in what incredible ways God might answer our prayers (even short ones like Stephen's!) Does this not motivate you to pray more frequently in your busy day, using your experiences as fodder for your prayers. You can always pray for the salvation of that one who just bad-mouthed you, etc. Lord, make us praying people like Stephen, able to pray even when being stoned. In Jesus' Name and for His glory. Amen And leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus - A raging bull became a docile lamb! Saul had an agenda in Damascus, but Jesus had another appointment for Saul in that city. Have you ever had that experience where you planned to do one thing, but through providential circumstances the Lord steps in to alter your plans? That is rhetorical because all of us have had these experiences. The question is did we respond like Saul, obediently and without murmuring? Robertson - It was a pathetic picture to see the masterful Saul, victorious persecutor and conqueror of the disciples, now helpless as a child. (Acts 9 Commentary)
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Robertson says "Ananias in his ignorance saw in Saul only the man with an evil reputation while Jesus saw in Saul the man transformed by grace to be a messenger of mercy." (Acts 9 Commentary) Jack Andrews - We can expect God to use others to minister to us and expect Him to use us to minister to others. How is God using you in ministry? Are you obedient to Him even when His commands are hard? How has God used other saints to minister to you? (Sermon) Spurgeon on Jesus' response to Ananias' reservations. "The Lord reassured His servant by reminding him — 1. Of the doctrine of election. "He is a chosen vessel unto Me." Here was one whom God had chosen to bless, though Ananias knew it not. 2. That He had chosen this man to a great purpose. "To bear My name among the Gentiles." A great sinner is to be made a great saint. A great opposer is to become a great labourer. Who knows how largely God may use the sinner whom we seek to save? You teachers may be teaching Luthers or Melancthons, holy men and women who shall serve the Lord abundantly. 3. That He would go with him — "For I will show him," etc. You are bidden to teach an individual and you fear that you have no strength, and, therefore, you cry, "Lord, I cannot show this man the truth." The Lord replies, "I will show him." (The Good Man Ananias - A Lesson for Believers) The Lord said to him, "Go (present imperative) - Jesus is demonstrating great patience with his demurring disciple for this is the second time He says "Go! (actually "Get up and go" in Acts 9:11) So here Jesus gives Ananias a second command (the first "go" was aorist imperative) to Ananias who clearly is recoiling with reluctance. Ananias is to understand that Jesus is sovereign over the situation, and because He is in control, when He say "Go" His disciple should go. This same principle applies to all Jesus' disciples and is all the rationale we need to obey His voice. Is there some "Go" (some command or instruction in His Word) on which you are balking? It is interesting how we all love Jesus' words "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest." (Mt 11:28) But once we arrive at His rest and He says "Now go..." this is where the Christian life becomes difficult! Ananias had said "Here I am Lord," but then he heard the charge to "Go" which initially caused him to hesitate. Is there not a bit of "Ananias" in all of us? For is the coordinating conjunction hoti and in this context means because, since, for this reason. What reason? Why is Ananias to go? Kistemaker summarizes five reasons Saul was Jesus' chosen instrument - (1) Paul is a Jew who has been thoroughly trained in the Old Testament Scriptures by Gamaliel in Jerusalem; (2) he grew up in a Greek-speaking environment; (3) he is familiar with Hellenistic culture; (4) he knows how to interpret the Gospel in terms the Hellenistic world can understand; (5) and he is a Roman citizen who realizes that the vast network of roads in the Roman empire facilitates travel, so that the Gospel can reach the ends of the world. Writes E. M. Blaiklock, “No other man known to history from that time combined these qualities as did Paul of Tarsus. It is difficult to imagine any other place [than Tarsus - see tarseus] whose whole atmosphere and history could have so effectively produced them in one person.” (Ibid) He is a chosen instrument of Mine - Notice "of Mine" signifies that Saul now belongs to Jesus. In his letter to the Galatians Paul acknowledges the fact that he was chosen writing that God "had set me apart (cf Ro 1:1+) even from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace." (Gal 1:15+) Paul's choosing recalls the words of Jeremiah "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.” (Jer 1:5) As an aside, do these passages have an relevance to the "legal" practice of abortion in America? Just something to think about! Fruchtenbaum says "he is a chosen vessel unto me" is "a Hebraism which means that he is “a vessel of choice.” John
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Robertson says Saul was baptized "Apparently by Ananias (Acts 22:16) as a symbol of the new life in Christ already begun, possibly in the pool in the house of Judas as today water is plentiful in Damascus or in Abana or Pharpar (Furneaux), better than all the waters of Israel according to Naaman (2 Kings 5:12). (Acts 9 Commentary) James Montgomery Boice helps understand this figurative meaning of baptizo writing that "The clearest example that shows the meaning of baptizo is a text from the Greek poet and physician Nicander, who lived about 200 B.C. It is a recipe for making pickles and is helpful because it uses both words. Nicander says that in order to make a pickle, the vegetable should first be 'dipped' (bapto) into boiling water and then 'baptised' (baptizo) in the vinegar solution. Both verbs concern the immersing of vegetables in a solution. But the first is temporary. The second, the act of baptizing the vegetable, produces a permanent change. When used in the New Testament, this word more often refers to our union and identification with Christ...There must be a union with Him, a real change, like the vegetable to the pickle!" (Bolding added) John G. Butler on Saul's baptism - Baptism in those days really made you a marked person. Baptism showed everyone whose side you were on. It let everyone know where you stood regarding Jesus Christ... By being baptized, (Saul) cut the cords of approval by Jewish leaders, severed ties of friendship, and in general burned the bridges behind him. Few have paid such a great price for being baptized. But no price is too great to show that you stand with Jesus Christ.
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Robertson says the hearers of Saul's proclamation "continued to stand out of themselves in astonishment at this violent reversal in Saul the (violent) persecutor." In the next verse they are described as confounded. Continued to be amazed (astonished, astounded)(imperfect tense) (1839)(existemi rom ek = out + hístemi = to stand) literally means to stand out of one's self (thus to be beside oneself). Richards adds that existemi "suggests astonishment mixed with anxiety, stimulated by extraordinary events that cannot be explained." It is notable that others had a similar reaction to Jesus (Mt 12:23, Mk 2:12; 5:42; 6:51, Lk 2:47+ - all use existemi), and this makes sense because all Saul was doing was imitating Jesus (1 Cor 11:1+)! If are obedient to Paul's command in First Corinthians, we too will "imitate Jesus", so would it not be reasonable that we might encounter some individual who are "beside themselves!" Interesting thought to ponder! Have you ever had this experience? Existemi means to be amazed, astonished or astounded describing "the feeling of astonishment mingled with fear, caused by events which are miraculous, extraordinary, or difficult to understand." (BDAG) It can describe one who is so astonished almost to the point of failing to comprehend what one has experienced. Luke uses existemi in Acts 8x out of 17 NT uses -- it could be because Acts is an "Amazing Book"! - Acts 2:7; Acts 2:12; Acts 8:9; Acts 8:11; Acts 8:13; Acts 9:21; Acts 10:45; Acts 12:16 Steven Ger - Saul's preaching was rocking the Jewish world; they were bewitched, bothered and bewildered. (Twenty-First Century Commentary-Acts) Oh, how great the transformative power of God's grace! How wonderful it would be to if we saw more radical conversions in our day. Do it again Lord for Jesus' sake. Amen! Terry Trivette on New Bill - If someone ever comes into real, redemptive contact with the risen Christ, they will not walk away the same. He will change them in an obvious way. I remember reading years ago about a man who was a terrible alcoholic. Every one simply called him “Old Bill”. One night Old Bill stumbled into a rescue mission and heard the Gospel preached. In that service, Jesus did something in Old Bill’s life. He was converted, and in much more than just an emotional decision, Bill received genuine salvation. From that day forward, he was a different man. His entire life was changed. The change was so obvious, that people stopped calling him “Old Bill”. Instead, they referred to him as “New Bill.” Old Saul had started to Damascus as an enemy of the people of Jesus. New Saul stood in Damascus as a witness to the power of Jesus. The change was obvious. (Sermon) COMMENT - My father Wilson was an alcoholic and a gambler and deserted by mother before I was one year old. I had zero contact with him for 18 years and then one day out of the blue he called me in college and told me how he had been born again. He was genuinely radically changed and was very evangelistic the remainder of his life. When I moved to Houston, that summer to stay with him, he told me about Jesus but I would have none of it at that time. I left and had little contact with him for the next 20 years, not knowing that this former alcoholic and gambler (and his devout wife) were praying daily for my salvation all that time. It was an exciting moment for me and for him when I called him at age 39 to tell him I had been born again! (See my full testimony) Saul would become Paul, and the rest of his life would be living proof of His living Lord and His life giving Gospel, which is able to save even the worst of sinners... “It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.” (1 Timothy 1:15-16) When we see this drastic, life-altering change in a terrorist turned apostle, preacher, and missionary, we are reminded that Jesus Christ can change anyone by His grace and for His glory. Has your life been radically changed? This truth should be a great encouragement to any lost sinner! You are never too far gone from God, that His grace cannot reach down and save you from the guttermost to the uttermost (cf Heb 7:25KJV)! And were saying, "Is this not he who in Jerusalem destroyed those who called on this name - This question expects an affirmative answer. Yes,he is the very one who ravaged Christians in Jerusalem. Destroy (4199)(portheo) is an intense verb which means to attack, ravage, lay waste, cause complete destruction. Saul had quite a reputation of one who had pillaged and reeked havoc on Christians. Used in secular Greek of besieging a town or of soldiers ravaging. The other two uses are by Paul himself referring to his former rabid zeal to destroy Christians... For you have heard of my former manner of life in Judaism, how I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it....23 but only, they kept hearing, “He who once persecuted us is now preaching the faith which he once tried to destroy.” (Gal 1:13, 23+) Those who called on this name - This is another name for believers or disciples of Jesus. See discussion of this same term in Acts 9:14+. Jack Andrews on this Name (Jesus) - People in the world and against the Lord still do not like to use His name. When they use His name they usually abuse His name. We need to always use His name in reverence and respect. (Expository Sermons) And who had come here for the purpose of bringing them bound before the chief priests - The disciples had been informed before Saul arrived that he came on a mission to arrest and bring them back to Jerusalem as prisoners. JESUS SAVES Priscilla J. Owens, 1882 We have heard the joyful sound: Jesus saves! Jesus saves! Spread the tidings all around: Jesus saves! Jesus saves! Bear the news to every land, Climb the mountains, cross the waves; Onward! ’tis our Lord’s command; Jesus saves! Jesus saves! Waft it on the rolling tide: Jesus saves! Jesus saves! Tell to sinners far and wide: Jesus saves! Jesus saves! Sing, you islands of the sea; Echo back, you ocean caves; Earth shall keep her jubilee: Jesus saves! Jesus saves! Sing above the battle strife: Jesus saves! Jesus saves! By His death and endless life Jesus saves! Jesus saves! Shout it brightly through the gloom, When the heart for mercy craves; Sing in triumph o’er the tomb: Jesus saves! Jesus saves! Give the winds a mighty voice: Jesus saves! Jesus saves! Let the nations now rejoice: Jesus saves! Jesus saves! Shout salvation full and free; Highest hills and deepest caves; This our song of victory: Jesus saves! Jesus saves! Another Hymn by Travis Cottrell Jesus Saves Acts 9:22 But Saul kept increasing in strength and confounding the Jews who lived at Damascus by proving that this Jesus is the Christ. (NASB: Lockman) KJV Acts 9:22 But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ. NLT Acts 9:22 Saul's preaching became more and more powerful, and the Jews in Damascus couldn't refute his proofs that Jesus was indeed the Messiah. CSB Acts 9:22 But Saul grew more capable and kept confounding the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that this One is the Messiah. Wuest And Saul kept on being endued with power to a greater degree, and he bewildered Jews, those residing in Damascus, proving that this very person is the Christ. increasing Ge 49:24; Job 17:9; Ps 84:7; Isa 40:29; 2 Cor 12:9,10; Php 4:13 confounding Acts 6:9,10; 18:27,28; Luke 21:15; 1 Cor 1:27 proving Acts 17:3; 18:5; 28:23; Luke 24:44,45 Acts 9 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries SAUL CONFOUNDS JEWS BY PROVING JESUS IS THE MESSIAH But - Term of contrast. What had the Jews just said about Saul (Acts 9:21b)? That was the natural man "before," but here Luke gives us the supernaturally empowered "after." Saul kept increasing in strength - This is not a reference to physical strength (as shown by the context) but a reference to spiritual strength. During this time Saul did not get more of the Spirit, but in a manner of speaking the Spirit was getting more of him. Later Paul would write "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." (Php 4:13+) The "through Him" is through Christ and specifically through the Spirit of Christ Who indwelt him. In his last letter Paul commanded Timothy (and all believers) to "be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus." (2 Ti 2:1+), where be strong is present imperative, signifying His supernatural strength is our great need all the time - DAILY, MOMENT BY MOMENT! Be strong is also in the passive voice, which in context would be a divine passive, and indicates that we need to make the choice (after confessing any known sin) to surrender or yield daily to the Spirit of Christ, so that we might be "receptacles" (so to speak) of His enabling supernatural power! How are you doing? As you read these notes today, who is your source of strength, yourself or Jesus? Those are the only two options for believers (for unbelievers the only option is "self"!). As Saul was increasing in supernatural strength, so was the natural opposition from the Jews. As Robertson puts it "Christ, the dynamo of spiritual energy, was now pouring power (Acts 1:8+) into Paul who is already filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:17)." (Acts 9 Commentary) Yes Saul was increasing but he was still a new believer in Jesus and Kent Hughes puts this in perspective writing that "Every Christian goes through three stages: “This is easy!”—“This is difficult!”—“This is impossible!” (ED: SEE SWINDOLL'S SCHEMATIC BELOW) Saul was in the first stage. If we had been there in Damascus, we would probably have told him, “Saul, you are the hottest thing to hit Damascus since Alexander the Great. So get going! We will be praying for you.” But Saul was not yet ready for front-line ministry. In fact, the Lord had a long program of preparation in store for him— longer than he or we would have ever imagined. Saul’s impressive abilities and background, even combined with a dramatic conversion experience, did not qualify him for ministry. God still had some work to do to get him ready for what lay ahead." (Preaching the Word - Acts) Swindoll comments - I am convinced that all Christians must pass through three stages en route toward spiritual maturity. While everyone must pass through each stage, no one experiences them in the same way. Some zip right through the first, only to get stuck in the second. Others spend most of their lives trudging through the third and never quite reach full maturity. Regardless, the stages of growth are common to all—including Saul of Tarsus, perhaps the most notable Christian in all of history. In Acts 9, we see a synopsis of his spiritual growth: • “This is easy!” (Acts 9:19-22)—Saul had great success debating his Jewish brethren in the synagogues. His natural abilities, great intellect, and extensive knowledge equipped him to outwit the finest minds of his day. • “This is difficult!” (Acts 9:23-25)—Saul became the target of assassination plots and had to flee the city. As Dr. Stanley Toussaint writes, “Saul’s plans for persecuting Christians in Damascus took a strange turn; he had entered the city blind and left in a basket! Ironically he became the object of persecution.” • “This is impossible!” (Acts 9:26-30)—Saul returns to Jerusalem to find no place among his old peers in the temple and no welcome in the understandably suspicious community of Christians. This portion of Paul’s spiritual journey took as long as four years to complete. Longer, if you include the decade he spent in his hometown of Tarsus. Eventually, he did reach that critical milestone of spiritual maturity at which point a believer not only accepts the “impossible” standards of the Christian life but learns how to thrive in his or her helplessness through the power of the Holy Spirit. It could be said that a Christian doesn’t really begin to experience new life until he or she starts living by this all-important perspective. (Swindoll's Living Insights New Testament Commentary - Acts) (Bold added) ED COMMENT: Have you come to that point in your Christian journey where you have given up daily trying and started daily dying to the old self (cf Lk 9:23+, 1 Cor 15:31) that wants to convince you that you can live the Christ life without the Spirit of Christ? (Read Gal 3:3+) If not you are frustrated and likely experiencing frequent failures in your attempts at a holy walk. Only the Holy Spirit can empower a holy walk! And the only way to "deny yourself and take up your cross daily" is by the supernatural enabling power of the indwelling Spirit. You try it in your own strength and it will become legalism. But when you begin to learn to yield to Him, trusting Him for the desire and the power it brings freedom! Php 2:12+ describes our responsibility to work out our salvation (i.e., progressive sanctification) and die daily, while Php 2:13NLT+ explains how we will even have the desire and the power to chose to die daily! We must all daily die to the self and surrender to the Spirit. When you learn this "secret", you have begun to move from the stage of "This is IM-possible" to the glorious stage of "This is HIM-possible!" And as an aside, while I love Swindoll's schematic I would suggest a more accurate diagram would have our spiritual walk beginning at the highest point on the left side of the diagram and progressively sloping down as we grow in spiritual maturity. Why? Because as Jesus increases, we decrease! (cf Jn 3:30+) As we grow in grace (cf 2 Pe 3:18+, 1 Pe 2:2+), our pride gives way to humility, and humility is from a word (tapeinos) that originally meant "low lying" giving us a great word picture! As the Spirit transforms us from one degree of glory to another in Christ-likeness (i.e., greater degrees of spiritual maturity. See 2 Cor 3:18+ where taking in the Word is clearly vital in this growth process), we realize that the low place is the best place, for that "low place" is at the foot of the Cross of Christ and it is there that grace flows most freely. As James put it "GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD (ELEVATED SELF), BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE (SELF LOWER, JESUS HIGHER).” (James 4:6+, cf what Paul had learned in 1 Cor 15:10+, 2 Cor 12:9+,2 Cor 12:10+) (Play the beautiful chorus Grace Flows Down by Christy Nockels) The hymn below by John Berridge (read about this remarkable saint and be challenged) emphasizes the call to humility and dependence on God's power to live the Christ life. As you listen to the words you might consider making it a prayer (notice many of the lines are in the form of a prayer) Jesus cast a look on me, Give me sweet simplicity Make me poor and keep me low, Seeking only Thee to know All that feeds my busy pride, Cast it evermore aside Bid my will to Thine submit, Lay me humbly at Thy feet Make me like a little child, Of my strength and wisdom spoiled Seeing only in Thy light, Walking only in Thy might Leaning on Thy loving breast, Where a weary soul can rest Feeling well the peace of God, Flowing from His precious blood In this posture let me live, And hosannas daily give In this temper let me die, And hosannas ever cry! Increasing (imperfect tense)(1743)(endunamoo from en = in + dunamoo = strengthen) in simple terms means to put power in (like a car needs gas for power) and thus to make strong or vigorous, to strengthen (active voice) or to be (passive voice) strengthened, enabled or empowered. Dunamóo is derived from dunamis which means to be able or to have power. This word is found only in biblical and ecclesiastical Greek. The idea is to cause one to be able to function or to accomplish something. It usually refers to spiritual or moral strengthening as in the present passage. This verb is found once in the Septuagint describing Gideon as God prepared his heart for battle = "The LORD's Spirit took control (Lxx = endunamoo - strengthened) of Gideon. He blew a trumpet, summoning the Abiezrites to follow him." (Jdg 6:34NET) John
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Robertson on sumbibazo - It is the very word that Luke will use in Acts 16:10+ of the conclusion reached at Troas concerning the vision of Paul. Here Saul took the various items in the life of Jesus of Nazareth and found in them the proof that he was in reality “the Messiah” (ho Christos). This method of argument Paul continued to use with the Jews (Acts 17:3+). It was irresistible argument and spread consternation among the Jews. It was the most powerful piece of artillery in the Jewish camp that was suddenly turned round upon them. It is probable that at this juncture Saul went into Arabia for several years (Gal. 1:12–24). Luke makes no mention of this important event, but he leaves ample room for it at this point. (Acts 9 Commentary) Christ (5547)(Christos from chrio = to rub or anoint, consecrate to an office) describes one who has been anointed with oil, one who has been consecrated. The majority of the NT uses refer to Jesus (See also Messiah - Anointed One). The context clearly refers to the Messiah and thus some translations so render it (NLT, CSB, NAB, GWN, BBE). For example, the NLT says "the Jews in Damascus couldn't refute his proofs that Jesus was indeed the Messiah." (Act 9:22NLT) John
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Robertson has a lengthy note on many days - How “many” (considerable, [hikanai], common word for a long period) Luke does not say nor does he say that Saul spent all of this period in Damascus, and as we know from Gal. 1:16–18 was not the case. Paul there states definitely that he went away from Damascus to Arabia and returned there before going back to Jerusalem and that the whole period (THIS IS ROBERTSON'S INTERPRETATION - IT IS SIMILAR TO SWINDOLL'S OPTION 2) was about “three years” which need not mean three full years, but at least portions of three. Most of the three years was probably spent in Arabia because of the two explosions in Damascus (before his departure and on his return) and because he was unknown in Jerusalem as a Christian on his arrival there.....So we must assume the return of Saul from Arabia at this juncture, between Acts 9:22 and Acts 9:23, when Saul resumed his preaching in the Jewish synagogues with renewed energy and grasp after the period of mature reflection and readjustment in Arabia. (Acts 9 Commentary) The Jews plotted together to do away with him - If you can't beat him, kill him, seemed to be modus operandi of the unbelieving Jews, seeking to do to Saul what they had successfully carried out against Stephen! One can't miss the divine twist. The very one who stood at Stephen's stoning and sought to destroy Christians was now himself a marked man. The accusation that Spirit filled Stephen hurled at the religious Jews in his audience gives us an apt description of this present group of Jews who were plotting to kill Saul... “You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did. (Acts 7:51+, cf the "Stone..rejected" in Acts 4:11+).
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Robertson writes "Things had reached a climax. It was worse than before he left for Arabia. Paul was now seeing the fulfillment of the prophecy of Jesus about him (Acts 9:16)." (Acts 9 Commentary) Plotted together (4823)(sumbouleuo from sun = together + bouleuo = to take counsel) in the active sense means to advise or give advice on a course of action, tell them what they should plan to do ("advised" in Jn 18:14, "advise" in Rev 3:18; Lxx - 1 Ki 1:12). In the middle voice it means to consult usually in a negative sense to consult with intent to harm thus translated to plot (against Jesus - Mt 26:4, Jn 18:14, against Saul - Acts 9:23). Gilbrant notes that sumbouleuo "can be found in classical Greek since the Fifth Century B.C. meaning (in the active voice) “advise one to do” and (in the middle voice) “consult with” (Liddell-Scott). Sumbouleuō is also found in the Greek tragedies. Josephus used sumbouleuō in both the Antiquities of the Jews and Wars of the Jews, but there is no difference in meaning in his use of this word (cf. Bauer). (Complete Biblical Library Greek-English Dictionary) Sumbouleuo - 4x in the NT - Matt. 26:4; Jn. 18:14; Acts 9:23; Rev. 3:18 Sumbouleuo - 18 verses in the Septuagint - Ex 18:19 (God says "I will give you counsel"); Nu 24:14 (" I will advise you what this people will do to your people"); Jos. 15:18 ("she persuaded"); 2 Sam. 17:11; 2 Sam. 17:15; 1 Ki. 1:12; 1 Ki. 12:8; 1 Ki. 12:9; 1 Ki. 12:13; 1 Ki. 12:24; 2 Chr. 10:8; Job 26:3; Isa. 33:18; Isa. 33:19; Isa. 40:14 ("with whom did He consult); Jer. 36:16; Jer. 38:15; Dan. 6:7; SAUL AT TO BE SILENCED AT ALL COSTS! To do away with (to kill him) (337)(anaireo from ana = up + haireo = to take) literally means to take up or lift up. This the same verb Luke used to describe the chief priests and the scribes seeking how they might "put (Jesus) to death (anaireo)." (Lk 22:2+). Peter (speaking for the apostles) accused the Sanhedrin "you had (Jesus) put to death by hanging Him on a cross" (Acts 5:30+). The result was the Sanhedrin "intended to kill (anaireo) them (the apostles)," (Acts 5:33+) the same reaction the Jews had to Saul's powerful proclamation of Jesus as Messiah! Saul was in good company! Robertson adds "Saul now knew what Stephen had suffered at his hands as his own life was in peril in the Jewish quarter of Damascus." (Acts 9 Commentary) Saul's salvation was genuine for not only did he profess Jesus, but he boldly proclaimed Jesus to the Jews, his actions backing up his words. George Barna alludes to this point writing that “American Christianity has largely failed since the middle of the twentieth century because Jesus’ modern-day disciples do not act like Jesus. They fail to represent Him well not because they are incapable of Christlike behavior or out of an absence of good intentions, but because they do not think like Him. You and I may profess to be followers, but remember, the most significant evidence of our loyalty is not what we say but what we do.” (cf Paul's description of profession without possession in Titus 1:16 - "They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed.") The point is that ever professor of Jesus needs to be reminded if they have not been changed by Jesus they have not been saved by Jesus (2 Cor 5:17+). William Barclay is "spot on" with his comment that "No one persecutes a man who is ineffective and who obviously does not matter. George Bernard Shaw (CLEARLY NOT A BELIEVER IN JESUS) once said that the biggest compliment you can pay an author is to burn his books. Someone has said, 'A wolf will never attack a painted sheep.' Counterfeit Christianity is always safe. Real Christianity is always in peril. To suffer persecution is to be paid the greatest of compliments because it is the certain proof that men think we really matter." (Daily Bible Study - Acts) Thomas
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Robertson adds that paratereo means literally "watching beside (para) or insidiously or on the sly as in Luke 6:7, they kept on watching (imperfect tense) by day and night to kill him. In 2 Cor. 11:32 Paul says that the Ethnarch of Aretas "kept guard" (ephrourei, imperfect active of phroureō) to seize him. Probably the Jews obtained the consent of the Ethnarch and had him appoint some of them as guards or watchers at the gate of the city." (Acts 9 Commentary)
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Robertson - See Joshua 2:15f. (cf. 1 Sa 19:12) for the way that Rahab let out the (Israeli) spies “by a cord through the window.” (Acts 9 Commentary) Let down (2524)(kathiemi from kata = down + eimi = to be) means to let down from higher to lower place, as the paralytic on the cot lowered from roof to floor before Jesus (Lk 5:19), of Peter's vision of the great sheet "lowered by four corners" (Acts 10:11; Acts 11:5). Gilbrant adds that "The word is also used of many things which go down (e.g., rivers, a growing beard, etc.)." Kathiemi - Lk. 5:19; Acts 9:25; Acts 10:11; Acts 11:5 Kathiemi - 3x in the Septuagint - Ex 17:11 ("when he [Moses] let his hand down [Lxx - kathiemi], Amalek prevailed"), Ps 29:10, Zech 11:13 ("throw it [Lxx - kathiemi] to the potter" - Messianic prophecy). J
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Robertson - Barnabas saw the situation (ED: I WOULD ADD THAT HE DISCERNED THE SITUATION!) and took Saul to himself and listened to his story and believed it. It is to the credit of Barnabas that he had the insight and the courage to stand by Saul at the crucial moment in his life when the evidence seemed to be against him. It is a pleasing hypothesis that this influential disciple from Cyprus had gone to the University of Tarsus where he met Saul (INTERESTING THOUGHT - TARSUS WAS IN CILICIA AND WAS OPPOSITE THE ISLAND OF CYPRUS AND HAD ONE OF THE 3 MAJOR UNIVERSITIES OF THE ANCIENT WORLD) If so, he would know more of him than those who only knew his record as a persecutor of Christians. That fact Barnabas knew also, but he was convinced that Jesus had changed the heart of Saul and he used his great influence (Acts 4:36; 11:22) to win the favour of the apostles, Peter in particular (Gal. 1:19) and James the half-brother of Jesus. The other apostles were probably out of the city as Paul says that he did not see them. (Acts 9 Commentary) And brought him to the apostles - First, Barnabas brought the money from sale of his land and "laid it at the apostles’ feet." (Acts 4:36-37) And now he brings Saul to the apostles. The apostles knew of the integrity of Barnabas and this gave him entree to the apostles so that they were now willing to receive Saul. Barnabas was a man greatly used of the Lord! And as we shall see, God is not finished with this choice "vessel for honor" (2 Ti 2:21). BARNABAS SHARES SAUL'S TESTIMONY Barnabas had the key which opened the door for Saul's acceptance, and subsequent ability to move around Jerusalem with freedom, boldly speaking of Jesus. And described to them - Notice that it is Barnabas, speaking to the apostles for Saul. Saul would have had to tell him about his conversion, but incredible as the story was (a bright light in the sky at noon!), Barnabas believed Saul. It would appear that in addition to all of his other wonderful gifts, Barnabas also had the gift of discernment. Described (1334)(diegeomai from diá = through + hēgéomai = to lead) means to conduct a narration through to the end with considerable detail. Barnabas gave a full and detailed account to the apostles concerning Saul's conversion and post-conversion proclamation of Jesus, so amazing and confounding the non-believing Jews that they sought to kill him. How he had seen the Lord on the road - This fulfilled a major criteria of a genuine NT apostle -- they had to have had a personal encounter with Jesus. Although Acts 9:1-9 does not state that Saul saw the Lord, here we see affirmation that he did see Jesus and thus met one of the major requirements of apostleship. Any who call themselves apostles today are not apostles in the same sense as these original apostles, as none of the modern "apostles" has seen the risen Jesus. Larkin makes an important point - In a day when we often elevate individualistic, personal, subjective experience over communal, ecclesial, corporate judgments, Saul’s example shines. His call is “for real” because it stands up to the test of the apostles, those charged with guaranteeing the message and mission of Christ’s church. Any contemporary claims to God’s call must similarly be tested by the deposit of the apostles and prophets: the Scriptures. (Paul's Conversion and Early Ministry Acts 9:1-31) And that He had talked to him - Presumably Barnabas explained to the apostles that Saul had received a commission from Jesus, when the Lord spoke to him. And how at Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus - Barnabas explained that Saul was a fearless speaker in the Name of Jesus, which the apostles would have understood his bold preaching for that is what they had experienced (cf Acts 4:8, 31, 33). This would have been objective evidence that Saul's conversion was not a "fox hole" profession of Jesus, but was a full fledged possession of the Jesus. Larkin - In Luke’s understanding and Paul’s, bold speaking is both characteristic of Christian witness and the result of a supernatural filling with the Spirit (Acts 4:8, 13, 31; 9:17, 27–28; 13:46; 14:3; 18:26; Eph 6:19–20; Phil 1:20; 1 Th 2:2). Spoken out boldly (3955)(parrhesiazomai from parrhesia = freedom or frankness in speaking or confident in spirit and demeanor <> pas = all + rhesis = speech) describes one as acting with an attitude of openness that comes from freedom and lack of fear. Barnabas tells the apostles how Saul had spoken out freely, openly, fearlessly and boldly. Saul had spoken about Jesus to the Jews without any sense of fear or constraint. Barnabas presented Saul to the apostles as a disciple of Jesus who was a bold and courageous for the good news of Jesus. The apostle Peter understood the sense of the Greek verb parrhesiazomai, because he himself had used the root word parrhesia in Acts 2:29+ when he said "Brethren, I may confidently (parrhesia - also in Acts 4:13) say to you regarding the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Parrhesiazomai - 9x in 9v most in Acts - confidence(1), had the boldness(1), speak out boldly(1), speak boldly(1), speaking out boldly(2), speaking boldly(1), spoke out boldly(1), spoken out boldly(1). Acts 9:27; Acts 9:28; Acts 13:46; Acts 14:3; Acts 18:26; Acts 19:8; Acts 26:26; Eph. 6:20; 1 Thess. 2:2 A T Robertson - Peter was convinced and Saul was his guest for two weeks (Gal. 1:18+) with delightful fellowship (ἱστορησαι [historēsai]). He had really come to Jerusalem mainly “to visit” (to see) Peter, but not to receive a commission from him. He had that from the Lord (Gal. 1:1f+.). Both Peter and James could tell Saul of their special experiences with the Risen Christ. (Acts 9 Commentary) R. Kent Hughes said, “How beautiful is the ministry of Barnabas—giving a word of encouragement, confirming others’ gifts, reconciling believers with believers, taking a risk for Christ in human relationships, promoting the ministry of others, rejoicing in another’s success. God mightily uses men and women like Barnabas for His glory!” (Preaching the Word - Acts) Rich Cathers - It seems to me that one of the chief characteristics of Barnabas was the ability to see a need and then without needing to be asked, he does something about it. We see this when he sells a piece of property to meet needs in the church. We see it here when Paul needs a helping hand into the church. A Barnabas is a person who has his eye open to needs, and then responds with encouragement. It might be a new person visiting church and doesn’t quite know how to fit in. It might be a person who has not been around awhile, perhaps they even have slipped a bit in their walk. It might be someone who is simply going through a rough period and need a word of encouragement. We all are called to be a “Barnabas”. John G. Butler said, “Those who claim to be converted ought to show it in such things as their conduct, their conversation, their clothes, their companions, their creed, and their comfort in time of trial. True Christianity is not skimpy in giving proofs. If a claim of Christianity comes with few proofs, its genuineness is indeed suspect.” ILLUSTRATION - Jackie Robinson was the first black to play major league baseball. While breaking baseball’s color barrier, he faced jeering crowds in every stadium. While playing one day in his home stadium in Brooklyn, he committed an error. His own fans began to ridicule him. He stood as second base, humiliated, while the fans jeered. Then shortstop ‘Pee Wee’ Reese came over and stood next to him. He put his arm around Jackie Robinson and faced the crowd. The fans grew quiet. Robinson later said that are around his shoulder saved his career. Building Bridges Read: Acts 9:17-27 Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. —Acts 9:27 A new believer recently attended our worship service. He had long, multicolored, spiked hair. He dressed in dark clothes and had multiple piercings and tattoos. Some gaped; others just gave him that “It’s good to see you in church, but please don’t sit next to me” smile. Yet there were some during the greeting time who went out of their way to welcome and accept him. They were bridge builders. Barnabas was that bridge builder for Saul (also called Paul). When Saul arrived in Jerusalem 3 years after his conversion, many disciples were afraid of him and doubted his transformation (Acts 9:26). He didn’t receive a warm welcome from the Jerusalem church greeters for good reason. Saul had a terrible reputation for persecuting Christians! But Barnabas, a Jewish convert, believed God’s work of grace in Saul’s life and became a bridge between him and the apostles (v.27). Saul needed someone to come alongside him to encourage and teach him, and to introduce him to other believers. Barnabas was that bridge. As a result, Saul was brought into deeper fellowship with the disciples in Jerusalem and was able to preach the gospel there freely and boldly. New believers need a Barnabas in their lives. We are to be a bridge in the lives of others. Oh, I would be to others A cheering ray of light, Inspiring them with courage To climb some newfound height! —Bosch Be a bridge of encouragement to someone today. Acts 9:28 And he was with them, moving about freely in Jerusalem, speaking out boldly in the name of the Lord. (NASB: Lockman) KJV 9:28 And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem. moving about freely in Jerusalem Acts 1:21; Nu 27:16,17; 2 Sa 5:2; 1 Ki 3:7; Ps 121:8; John 10:9; Gal 1:18 Acts 9 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries SAUL'S BOLDNESS IN THE LORD And he was with them - "Saul stayed with the apostles" (NET) How long was Saul in Jerusalem? We cannot be definitive. Paul himself later wrote that he "stayed with (CEPHAS - PETER) fifteen days." (Gal 1:18). This statement however does not exclude that he might have been in Jerusalem longer (e.g., how long was he in the Holy City being rejected by the saints, before Barnabas came to his rescue? We simply do not know). Moving about freely in Jerusalem - This is rendered more literally as "coming in and going out in Jerusalem" (YLT). This phrase is an OT idiom that describes a person's everyday life or daily activities, the regular conduct of life. (cf Nu 27:17 = "who will go out and come in before them", 1 Ki 3:7 = "I do not know how to go out or come in"). The idiom of going in and out pictures the fact that "Barnabas and Peter and James opened all the doors for Saul and the fear of the disciples vanished." (Robertson) Speaking out boldly in the Name of the Lord - Speaking out boldly is in the present tense, indicating that it was Saul's continual practice to speak freely and fearlessly about Jesus. Speaking out boldly (3955) See above for parrhesiazomai. Bold speech in Acts is evidence of filling with the Holy Spirit (cf Acts 4:31+ = "all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness [parrhesia]"). It is the Spirit Who gives one the supernatural power to preach with confidence and boldness. In preaching you have only two choices - your power or His power! Amen or oh my! Are you seeking His filling and His power that you might preach with boldness and confidence? Ask the Almighty for this confidence and boldness as in Acts 4:29+ "Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your Word with all confidence (parrhesia)." Bruce Barton - REVAMPED REPUTATION - It is difficult to change one’s reputation, and Saul had a terrible reputation with the Christians. But Barnabas, a Jewish convert (mentioned in 4:36), became the bridge between Saul and the apostles. New Christians (especially those with tarnished reputations) need sponsors, people who will come alongside to encourage them, teach them, and introduce them to other believers. By guiding and mentoring those who are young in the faith, we help them establish a new identity as followers of Christ. Find a new believer in your church who needs practical help and encouragement in growing. Become a Barnabas to that person. Acts 9:29 And he was talking and arguing with the Hellenistic Jews; but they were attempting to put him to death. (NASB: Lockman) KJV And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him. NLT He debated with some Greek-speaking Jews, but they plotted to murder him. he spake Acts 9:20-22,27 disputed Acts 6:9,10; 17:17; 18:19; 19:8; Jude 1:3,9 Grecians Acts 6:1; 11:20 but Acts 9:23; 2 Cor 11:26 Acts 9 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries A MURDER PLOT TO SILENCE SAUL And he was talking and arguing with the Hellenistic Jews - A Hellenistic Jew was a Greek-speaking Jew (and thus usually one who was born outside of Israel) in contrast to one speaking a Semitic language. Thayer adds that a Hellenist describes "one who imitates the manners and customs or the worship of the Greeks, and uses the Greek tongue; employed in the N. T. of Jews born in foreign lands and speaking Greek (Grecian Jews)." The only other use of this specific Greek word (Hellenistes) is Acts 6:1+. This is fascinating because in a sense Saul is continuing the work of Stephen as described in Acts 6:8-10+! Saul was witnessing to the very same audience that had masterminded the stoning of Stephen, the Greek-speaking Jews! And just as they were "unable to cope with the wisdom and the Spirit with which (STEPHEN) was speaking," Saul's debating skills proved too much (and of course Saul had the "sword of the Spirit, the Word of God" Eph 6:17+) for the Grecian Jews. So just as with Stephen, once again the Jews concluded, if you can't beat 'em, then kill 'em! Larkin comments on this section that "The church’s mission has come full circle: its chief opponent has become its chief protagonist!" (Paul's Conversion and Early Ministry Acts 9:1-31) Arguing (debating, disputed)(4802)(suzeteo from sun = together + zeteo = to seek, inquire) in a positive sense means to inquire together or discuss but in this context clearly has the negative sense meaning to dispute, debate or argue (Mk 1:27, etc). Of Pharisees arguing with Jesus (Mk 8:11), of Scribes arguing with Jesus' disciples (Mk 9:14), of Jews arguing with Stephen (Acts 6:9), and finally in this passage of Saul arguing with the Hellenistic Jews. The imperfect tense pictures Saul arguing with one Jew, then another Jew, again and again. He may well have known some of these men, but he was now a changed man with a new agenda. This man was on a mission to exalt the Name of Jesus! NET Note on Hellenistic Jews - which NET Bible translates "Greek speaking Jews" - "Hellenists"... is largely unknown to the modern English reader. The translation "Greek-speaking Jews" attempts to convey something of who these were, but it was more than a matter of language spoken; it involved a degree of adoption of Greek culture as well. Related Resources: What is Christian apologetics? What is a Christian worldview? What is an apologist? What is the Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry (CARM)? Swindoll comments that "As a result of their interaction, this group tried to kill Saul. At the time, some probably considered this a stroke of cosmic justice; Saul reaped the harvest of seeds he had once sown against Stephen. And indeed Saul had helped to nurture the anti-Christian attitude that came back to bite him. But grace always abounds! Saul had been forgiven of his sins, regardless of the temporal consequences that remained." But they were attempting to put him to death - Saul to these Hellenistic Jews was a turncoat and a traitor. The verb attempting (epicheireo) means to set one's hand to do something and in the imperfect tense pictures them as trying again and again and indicates the incomplete or unsuccessful action. The implication then is that the Jews made a number of attempts but they all failed! The good hand of the Lord was on Saul which preventing the Jews from laying their evil hands on him! (See Hand of the Lord). Attempting (2021)(epicheireo from epi = upon, in + cheir = hand) means to take in hand, to put the hand to, to set one's hand to some task, to endeavor to perform a task, to undertake. To take in hand, undertake, attempt, whether effective or not. The only other uses are by Luke (Lk 1:1 = "Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us,",Acts 19:13 = "attempted to name over those who had the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus.") As twentieth-century martyr Dietrich Bonhoeffer once said “Suffering..is the badge of true discipleship.” Warren
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Robertson says commenting on the imperfect tense "The multiplication of the disciples kept pace with the peace, the edification, the walking in the fear of the Lord, the comfort of the Holy Spirit. The blood of the martyrs was already becoming the seed of the church. Stephen had not borne his witness in vain." (Acts 9 Commentary) Notice that continued to increase is in the passive voice, which clearly is the "divine passive," for only Christ has the power to enable His Body to grow supernaturally! Brian Harbour sums up what was going on in the church with this equation, “Throughout the Book of Acts: boldness + witness + the power of the Holy Spirit = growth.” Jack Andrews - The church grew spiritually and that led to the church to grow numerically. When there is genuine spiritual growth within the church there will be genuine numerical growth from without. A church growing spiritually will be reaching out to a lost and dying world with the gospel of Jesus Christ. A church that is healthy will be an evangelistic church. (Expository Sermons) Bruce Barton - POISED FOR GROWTH - Was the church growing because it was enjoying a time of peace? No. The key to the church’s growth here is found in the last part of this verse. The believers were “encouraged by the Holy Spirit.” As long as Christians live and worship in the Spirit, demonstrating changed, supernatural lives (Galatians 5:22–23), the church will always attract unbelievers. (Borrow Life Application Commentary page 506) Berit Kjos - The fear of the Lord involves a sober awareness of what He loves, of what He despises, and of the consequences of disobedience and rebellion against Him. It leads to a sincere desire to please Him, heartfelt gratefulness for His mercy, and unending delight in His loving presence. So when we choose to ‘fear the Lord’ we will heed Romans 12:9, ‘Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.’ Dr. Thom Rainer - Ten Reasons Many Churches Do not Grow.” Under reason number two, “Conflict in the Church,” Rainer wrote: “I wish I could say that conflict in the American church has abated, but that just does not seem to be the case. The reasons behind the conflicts are as innumerable as one could imagine: Leadership style, facility differences, power and control, worship style, programming, times of services, and the list goes on and on. It seems that for many the church has become the place to have ‘my needs and desires met,’ rather than seeking to serve God and others through the local congregation.” Have you ever noticed that the words “unite” and “untie” use the same five letters? The difference is where you put the letter “I”. There are two mottos that churches can adopt: (1) “We’ve never done it that way before!” or (2) “We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us” (Phil. 4:13 NKJV). Vance Havner said, “If the Holy Spirit were to leave all the churches in America, 95% of them could continue on with no interruption of activity.” (From Timothy Beougher:) Jerry Bridges has some insightful comments on the fear of the Lord which was a characteristic of the early church in Acts... The fear of God is the soul of godliness. --John Murray Yet the fear of God is a concept that seems old-fashioned and antiquated to many modern-day Christians. There was a time when an earnest believer might have been known as a “God-fearing man.” Today we would probably be embarrassed by such language. Some seem to think the fear of God is strictly an Old Testament concept that passed away with the revelation of God’s love in Christ. After all, doesn’t perfect love drive out fear, as John declares in 1Jn 4:18+? Although it is true that the concept of the fear of God is treated more extensively in the Old Testament, it would be a mistake to assume that it is not important in the New Testament. One of the blessings of the New Covenant is the implanting in believers’ hearts of the fear of the Lord. In Jer 32:40+ God said, And I will make an everlasting covenant with them that I will not turn away from them (Ed: Note the divine keeping power of covenant - a strong argument against the spurious [in my opinion] teaching that one can lose their eternal security! cp Jn 10:28, 29+), to do them good; and I will put the fear of Me in their hearts (Ed: not just head knowledge, but heart knowledge, knowledge that transforms one's will and desire) so that (term of purpose/result = the vital association of proper fear and proper conduct! cp Job 1:1) they will not turn away from Me.
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Robertson on tanner - “The more scrupulous Jews regarded such an occupation as unclean, and avoided those who pursued it. The conduct of Peter here shows that he did not carry his prejudices to that extent” (Hackett). One of the rabbis said: “It is impossible for the world to do without tanners; but woe to him who is a tanner.” A Jewess could sue for divorce if she discovered that her husband was a tanner. And yet Peter will have scruples on the housetop in the tanner’s house about eating food considered unclean. “The lodging with the tanner was a step on the road to eating with a Gentile” (Furneaux). (Acts 9 Commentary) Tanner (1038)(burseus from bursa = skin or hide of a beast flayed off their body) describes a person who prepares animal skins for use, a tanner, a "leather dresser." BDAG has an interesting note that burseus is "tanner, surname of Simon, a Christian in Joppa." Three uses in the Bible - Acts 9:43; Acts 10:6; Acts 10:32. No uses in the Septuagint. It is notable that Simon's house is twice described as "by the sea.” (Acts 10:6, 32), rather than in the city (see informative Wikipedia note below). Tanners were considered "unclean" by the Jewish rabbis (see Lev. 11:35-40+). NET Note on tanner ( literally "Simon tanner") - "with a certain Simon Berseus." Although most modern English translations treat bursei/ (bursei) as Simon's profession ("Simon the tanner"), it is possible that the word is actually Simon's surname ("Simon Berseus" or "Simon Tanner"). Wikipedia note on tanner - Formerly, tanning was considered a noxious or "odoriferous trade" and relegated to the outskirts of town, amongst the poor. Indeed, tanning by ancient methods is so foul smelling, tanneries are still isolated from those towns today where the old methods are used. Skins typically arrived at the tannery dried stiff and dirty with soil and gore. First, the ancient tanners would soak the skins in water to clean and soften them. Then they would pound and scour the skin to remove any remaining flesh and fat. Next, the tanner needed to remove the hair from the skin. This was done by either soaking the skin in urine,[citation needed] painting it with an alkaline lime mixture, or simply allowing the skin to putrefy for several months then dipping it in a salt solution. After the hairs were loosened, the tanners scraped them off with a knife. Once the hair was removed, the tanners would "bate" (soften) the material by pounding dung into the skin, or soaking the skin in a solution of animal brains. Bating was a fermentative process which relied on enzymes produced by bacteria found in the dung. Among the kinds of dung commonly used were those of dogs or pigeons.[2] Sometimes, the dung was mixed with water in a large vat, and the prepared skins were kneaded in the dung water until they became supple from bacterial enzyme action, but not too soft. The ancient tanner might use his bare feet to knead the skins in the dung water, and the kneading could last two or three hours. This combination of urine, animal feces, and decaying flesh made ancient tanneries malodorous. Children employed as dung gatherers were a common sight in ancient cities. Also common were "piss-pots" located on street corners, where human urine could be collected for use in tanneries or by washerwomen. Dennis Gaertner - Living with one who earned his living by handling dead animals was a radical step for a rigid observer of the laws of purity. (College Press NIV Commentary) Steven Ger - According to the Torah, contact with dead animals made one ceremonially unclean (Lev. 11:40). Therefore, in Jewish society, tanning, which by necessity entails continuous contact with the dead bodies of animals, was considered an unclean occupation. Tanners usually worked in or near their homes, and primarily because of the associated odor, those employed as tanners had to live a minimum of twenty-five yards outside the borders of a city. Jews ranked the occupation of tanning alongside those of prostitution, dung collecting, gambling and driving donkeys. (Twenty-First Century Commentary-Acts) Arnold - Here is another miracle which took place in the heart of Peter. A tanner worked with leather and had to work with the skins of dead animals. A tanner was considered unclean according to Jewish law and he was to be avoided by religious Jews. A tanner was such a social outcast that if a woman found out she married a tanner she could get a divorce from him. A tanner was the lowest thing on the social scale. Yet we are told that Peter as a converted religious Jew stayed in the home of Simon the Tanner. Peter received the victory over an ingrained prejudice in his life. He was bigoted, intolerant and opinionated against tanners as an unsaved Jew but Christ changed his heart towards people, even social outcasts. If the healing of Aeneas was a miracle and the raising of Dorcas a supernatural phenomenon, then victory over prejudice by Peter was an incredible thing. God changed the heart of a man steeped in religion and tradition. It is a marvelous work of God to save a person deep in sin such as an adulterer, thief, drunkard or drug addict. It is even a more wonderful work of God to save a good man who is filled with pride, self-esteem and self-righteousness. But the greatest work of all is when God saves a religious man. A man who attends church, gives intellectual assent to Christianity and even gives regularly of his time and money to the church, is a man who is trusting in his religious works and not Christ to save him. To save a religious man is almost an impossible task and only God can do it. There is nothing more exciting than to watch a man receive the new birth and then watch this man shed his religious prejudices, traditions and formalisms.(The Miracle Worker)