Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 9:22
But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.
22. But Saul increased the more in strength ] i.e. he became more and more energetic in his labours and the Holy Ghost gave him more power. His fitness for the labour on which he was entering was very great. He possessed all the Jewish learning of a zealous pupil of Gamaliel, and now that he had seen Jesus in the glory of the Godhead, he could use his stores of learning for the support of the new teaching in such wise as to commend it to those Jews who were looking for the consolation of Israel. But these would naturally be the smallest portion of his hearers. The rest of the Jews were confounded. They heard their Scripture applied by a trained mind, and shewn to be applicable to the life of Jesus. They could not at this time make an attack on Saul, for they were paralysed by what they heard, and it was only when some time had elapsed that they resolved to continue in their rejection of Jesus, and then, at a later time, their persecution of Saul began.
proving that this is very [ the ] Christ ] The word here rendered “proving” is used again in Act 16:10, and translated “assuredly gathering.” The idea conveyed by it is that of putting things side by side, and so making a comparison and forming a conclusion. Thus Saul, well equipped with a knowledge of the ancient Scriptures, set before his hearers a description of the Messiah as he is there portrayed, and relating the life history of Jesus, shewed them that in Him the Scriptures of the prophets had been fulfilled.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Increased the more in strength – His conviction of the truth of the Christian religion became stronger every day, and hence his moral strength or boldness increased.
And confounded – See Act 2:6. The word here means confuted. It means also occasionally to produce a tumult or excitement, Act 19:32; Act 21:31. Perhaps the idea of producing such a tumor is intended to be conveyed here. Paul confuted the Jews, and by so doing he was the occasion of their tumultuous proceedings, or he so enraged them as to lead to great agitation and excitement – a very common effect of close and conclusive argumentation.
Proving that this – This Jesus.
Is very Christ – Greek: that this is the Christ. The word very means here simply in the Greek: ho Christos. It means that Paul showed by strong and satisfactory arguments that Jesus of Nazareth was the true Messiah. The arguments which he would use may be easily conceived, but the evangelist has not seen fit to record them.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 22. Confounded the Jews] , Overwhelmed them so with his arguments that they were obliged to blush for the weakness of their own cause.
Proving that this] , This person, viz. JESUS, is very Christ; , IS THE CHRIST, or Messiah. See Clarke on Ac 9:21.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Increased the more in strength; true grace thrives by exercise and opposition: the word here used many take to be a metaphor from builders, who, in erecting their fabrics, fit one piece or part to another, and then bring them and join them together; thus St. Paul did, in bringing forth or quoting the promises in the Old Testament, and showing their exactly being fulfilled in the New Testament, or in the gospel of our Saviour Jesus Christ; and he spake with such an evidence and demonstration of the Spirit, that he did, as it were, constrain men to be of his opinion.
Proving that this is very Christ; which was the sum of the gospel.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
But Saul increased the more in strength,…. Not of body, but of mind; his gifts and graces, and spiritual light and knowledge increased; his abilities were greater; his fortitude of mind, boldness, and freedom of speech, every day increased: he got more, and new, and fresh arguments, by which he himself was confirmed, and he confirmed others in the truths of Christ. Some copies read, “he was more strengthened in the word”; either in the word of God, having a clearer understanding, and being more confirmed in the truth of it; or in speech, being more ready and powerful in speaking it.
And confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus; confuted them, and put them to silence, so that they had nothing to say for themselves, or against the truth:
proving that this is very Christ; by joining and knitting passages of Scripture in the Old Testament together, by producing and citing express testimonies from thence, and by comparing the prophecies and the characters of the Messiah in them, with Jesus of Nazareth, he proved to a demonstration that he must be the Messiah.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Increased the more ( ). Imperfect passive indicative of , to receive power (late verb), progressive increase in strength as opposition grew. Saul’s recantation stirred controversy and Saul grew in power. See also Paul in Phil 4:13; 1Tim 1:12; 2Tim 2:1; 2Tim 4:17; Rom 4:20. Christ, the dynamo of spiritual energy, was now pouring power (Ac 1:8) into Paul who is already filled with the Holy Spirit (Ac 9:17).
Confounded (). Imperfect active indicative of (late form of , to pour together, commingle, make confusion. The more Saul preached, the more the Jews were confused.
Proving (). Present active participle of , old verb to make go together, to coalesce, to knit together. It is the very word that Luke will use in 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” ( ). This method of argument Paul continued to use with the Jews (Ac 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 (Ga 1:12-24). Luke makes no mention of this important event, but he leaves ample room for it at this point.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Confounded. See on ch. Act 2:6.
Proving [] . The verb means to bring or put together : hence to compare and examine, as evidence, and so to prove. Used in the literal and physical sense in Eph 4:16. In Col 2:2, of being knit together in love. In 1Co 2:16, of instructing, building up, by putting together. In this sense the word occurs in the Septuagint. See Lev 10:11; Jud 8:8.
The Christ. Note the article. Not a proper name, but an appellative. See on ver. 20.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “But Saul increased the more in strength (de Saulos mallon enedunamuto) “Then Saul was empowered to more,” given more dynamic spiritual discernment, strength, faith, knowledge, and unction of the Spirit, 1Co 2:4; 1Co 2:7; 1Co 2:13.
2) “And confounded the Jews,” (kai sunechungen loudaious) “And he confounded (flabbergasted), continues to confound the Jews,” struck the Jews with unanswerable awe and uncertainty, refuting their objections against Jesus Christ, even silencing them, Gal 1:11-12.
3) “Which dwelt in Damascus,” (tous oikountas en Damasko) “Those who were in residence (residing) in (the) Damascus area,” the capitol of Syria.
4) “Proving that this is very Christ,” (sumbibazon hoti houtos estin ho Christos) “Giving out incontestable evidence that this one (Jesus) is (or exists as) the Christ,” the living, anointed Savior, Act 17:3-4; Act 18:28; Act 28:25-31. Paul simply showed the harmony between the prophecies, promises, and predictions of the Old Testament regarding the Messiah who was to come, then the actual physical evidences that Jesus had specifically and definitively fulfilled them as the Savior, Gal 4:4-5; 1Ti 3:16.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
22. And Saul waxed stronger. Luke doth not only in this place commend the bold zeal of Paul in confessing the faith of Christ, but also he telleth us that he had strong reasons to convince the Jews. He waxed strong, saith he, that is, he got the victory in disputation; his confession did carry with it great force and efficacy, (603) because being furnished with testimonies of Scripture, and such other helps of the Holy Ghost, he did, as it were, tread all his adversaries under his feet. (604) For the word confounded, which Luke useth, doth signify, that, forasmuch as Paul did urge them out of measure, they were so stricken that they could not tell where they were. (605) The manner of the confounding is expressed, because Paul proved that Jesus was Christ. For the sense is this, that even when the Jews were most desirous to resist, they were overcome and confounded. So that Paul tried [found] by experience, that that was most true which he himself affirmeth, that the Scripture is profitable to convince, (Tit 3:16.) Also, he performed that which he required elsewhere of a bishop and teacher, (Tit 1:7😉 for he was armed with the word of God to maintain the truth. And Luke setteth down two things, that Paul so got the victory in disputing that he overthrew the Jews; and yet their stubbornness was not broken and tamed that they yielded to the truth, because their consciences rage nevertheless inwardly, and being thrown down from their false opinion, they do not submit themselves to Christ.
Whence had Paul this victory, save only because the Scripture was his sword? Therefore, so often as heretics stand up to resist the true faith, so often as wicked men endeavor to overthrow all godliness, so often as the ungodly do obstinately resist, let us remember that we must fet [seek] armor hence. Because the Papists find no weapons in Scripture, yea, because they see that it maketh quite against them, they fly into this miserable fortress (606) that they must not dispute with heretics, and that there can no certain thing be set down out of Scripture. But if Satan himself be vanquished with the sword of the word, why shall it not be able to put heretics to flight? not that they will submit themselves, or make an end of murmuring, (607) but because they shall lie overcome in themselves. (608) And if so be it we covet to escape this trouble, let us raise no tumults against God, but let us, with a quiet and meek spirit, receive that peace which the Scripture offereth us.
(603) “ Vim et energiam conjunctam,” combined force and energy.
(604) “ Quasi obruebat,” as it were threwn down, overwhelmed.
(605) “ Ut apud se non essent,” that they were out of themselves.
(606) “ Asylum,” asylum.
(607) “ Obstrependi,” brawling, gainsaying.
(608) “ In seipsis convicti,” selfconvicted.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(22) But Saul increased the more in strength.The tense implies a continuous growth in power, obviously in the spiritual power which enabled the Apostle to carry on his work. A comparison of dates suggests the connection of this growth with the special vision of 2Co. 12:8, when in answer to his prayer that the infirmity which he describes as a thorn in his flesh, the minister of Satan to buffet him, he received the comforting assurance from the Lord whom he servedMy strength is made perfect in weakness. It is not without interest that in after years St. Paul once and again uses the same verb of himselfI can do all things in Christ that strengthened me (Php. 4:13). It was Christ who enabled him, or, made him strong, for his ministry (1Ti. 1:12); who strengthened him in the closing trials of his life (2Ti. 4:17). By some commentators the words are connected with the journey to Arabia as following on his first appearance as a preacher in the synagogues; but see Note on the previous verse.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
22. The more in strength All the arguments which Stephen and his friends had used (note Act 6:9) now, doubtless, came up to him with redoubled power, confirmed by his own recent experience.
This is very Christ The very Messiah, predicted by prophets, and longed for by Israel. No wonder that he who thus used his spiritual strength increased the more in strength.
Confounded the Jews But, alas! did not convince, or, at any rate, convert them.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.’
Meanwhile the more he preached, and the more he studied, the more he increased in effectiveness, and the more he was able to confound the Jews in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Messiah.
But it is more than likely that after a short period of such preaching and debating he recognised his need to understand more deeply what he was speaking about. He had his whole theology to sort out again. He realised his need for a period of reflection so that he might sort out his what he should teach, and prepare himself for dealing with their questions by a careful consideration of the Old Testament text which he probably knew by heart. He had to build on his testimony, and the few Scriptures that he had at hand, which he could not just go on repeating for ever. This would explain why he took a short break to study in Arabia. It was the visit of unknown duration described in Gal 1:17. Note his words there. He did not go to Jerusalem to see the Apostles, he went to Arabia. He wanted to consult with God. And there in the deserted wilderness, possibly of ‘Mount Sinai in Arabia’ (Gal 4:25), he thought through his whole doctrine in the light of the Scriptures which now had such new meaning for him. It was possibly then that he came to realise that the true Jerusalem is above and is not a place of binding Law but of glorious freedom (Gal 4:26), that the true descendants of Abraham and Sarah are the children of promise (Gal 4:28), that with freedom Christ has made us free, so that we might stand fast and not be entangled again in the bondage from which we have been freed (Gal 5:1), that those who seek to be justified by the Law have fallen away from the whole concept of grace (Gal 5:4). Three years later he would go to Jerusalem in order to discuss it all with Peter, but that was later. Now he had to sort things out between himself and God. And once he had done so he returned to Damascus.
It was probably partly as a result of this visit that he ‘increased the more in strength’, having now clarified his thinking. Galatians assumes a time away from Damascus, followed by a return there resulting in further ministry, with the whole covering in all ‘three years’ (eighteen month upwards). But there is absolutely no reason why Luke should have mentioned the visit to Arabia. We have already seen how he abbreviates his narrative in order to concentrate on what he wishes to emphasise, and he is concerned with the spreading of the word. He is not writing a life of Paul but a description of the outreach of the Good News with regard to which description the visit to Arabia was irrelevant. So Paul’s conversion here is described as a part of the ongoing work of spreading the word followed by the initial ministry of three years that resulted from it, which was so effective that he had to flee. What Luke was interested in here was the ministry in Damascus which continued the expansion of the word of God (Act 9:31).
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Act 9:22. Proving that this is very Christ. Evincing that he [Jesus] is the Christ. As Saul had blasphemed Christ and persecuted the Christians through ignorance, and while he really disbelieved the gospel, he obtained mercy at the hands of our Lord Jesus Christ through faith in him. But, though our Lord forgave him, he could hardly forgive himself, and thought he could not sufficiently testify his love and affection, without the greatest study and diligence to convert others; and indeed, by shewing mercy to him, who had been, as he calls himself, a blasphemer and a persecutor, our Lord gave a most remarkable instance of his long-suffering and abundant mercy. For what could be a greater encouragement to others to hope for mercy, upon their repentance and sincerely believing the gospel? to the Jews,for instance, who had procured the murder of the Messiah, the Lord of life and glory: to the Samaritans,who had formerly been so odious to the Jews, and corrupters of the Old Testament: to the devout Gentiles,with whom the Jews would not eat, nor freely converse, as long as they remained uncircumcised: and, above all, to the idolatrous Gentiles, who had a long time lived without the true God in the world, and as aliens to his church and covenant; and to whom more particularly this Saul, this singular monument of mercy, was to be an apostle.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Act 9:22-23 . But Saul, in presence of such judgments, became strong in his new work all the more (Ngelsb. on the Iliad , p. 227, Exo 3 ).
] made perplexed, put out of countenance , , , Chrysostom. Comp. on Act 2:6 . The form instead of belongs to late Greek. Lobeck, ad Phryn. p. 726.
.] proving . Comp. 1Co 2:16 ; Schleusner, Thes. s.v. ; Jamblich. 60.
, as in Act 7:23 . , as in Act 9:43 ; Act 18:18 ; Act 27:7 , of a considerable time (Plat. Legg. p. 736 C), especially common with Luke.
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
22 But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.
Ver. 22. Proving that this, &c. ] . Proving it by comparing Scripture with Scripture, by laying one place to another, as joiners fit all the parts of their work together, that each part may perfectly agree with the other, Neh 8:8 . The Levites read the law, and gave the sense, causing the people to understand the reading, debant intelligentiam per Scripturam ipsam: they gave understanding through the Scriptures themselves, so Tremellius rendereth it. Parallel texts, like glasses, set one against another, cast a mutual light. The lapidary brightens his hard diamond with the dust shaved from itself; so must we clear hard Scriptures.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
22 .] I regard the , as the only words beneath which can lie concealed the journey to Arabia . Paul mentions this journey ( Gal 1:17 ) with no obscure hint that to it was to be assigned the reception by him, in full measure, of the Gospel which he preached. And such a reception would certainly give rise to the great accession of power here recorded. I am the more disposed to allot that journey this place, from the following considerations. The omission of any mention of it here can arise only from one of two causes: (1) whether Paul himself were the source of the narrative, or some other narrator, the intentional passing over of it, as belonging more to his personal history (which it was his express purpose to relate in Gal 1 ) than to that of his ministry : (2) on the supposition of Paul not having been the source of the narrative, the narrator having not been aware of it . In either case, this expression seems to me one very likely to have been used: (1) if the omission was intentional , to record a remarkable accession of power to Saul’s ministry, without particularizing whence or how it came: (2) if it was unintentional , as a simple record of that which was observed in him, but of which the source was to the narrator unknown.
] Chrysostom strikingly says, , . (Cramer’s Catena.)
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Act 9:22 . : only used here by St. Luke, and elsewhere only by St. Paul (five or six times), and always of religious and spiritual strength; used also three times in the LXX; twice with reference to the power of the Spirit, Jdg 6:34 , 1Ch 12:18 ; in Psa 51:7 , perhaps the simple verb . : “confounded,” so A. and R.V., or rather, “continued to confound,” imperfect active, cf. Act 2:6 , “were confounded.” passive, see also Act 19:32 , Act 21:31 (critical notes above): from ( ), nowhere used except in Acts, as above (see Moulton and Geden). : not found in classical Greek nor in LXX, a later form of , T. W. H. ( cf. from , three times in Acts, also two or three times in Luke’s Gospel; in Matthew twice, in Mark once, also Rom 5:5 , Jud 1:11 ; not found in LXX, but see Theod., 2Sa 14:14 ); in Acts, Act 21:27 . from (but see in loco ), Moulton and Geden. According to the best MS., Tisch., W.H [229] , read the double v , but elsewhere we have only one v , Winer-Schmiedel, p. 132, Blass, Gram. , p. 41. : only used by St. Luke and St. Paul, cf. Act 16:10 , Act 19:33 , see especially for this last passage, Grimm-Thayer, sub v., cf. 1Co 2:16 . In the LXX the word is used in the sense of teaching, instructing, Exo 4:12 ; Exo 4:15 ; Exo 18:16 , Isa 40:13 , etc., this usage is purely Biblical (in Attic Greek rather . in this sense): lit [230] , (1) to bring together; (2) then like , to put together, to compare, to examine closely; (3) so to deduce, to prove; thus here the word may well imply that Saul compared Messianic passages of the O.T. with the events of the life of Jesus of Nazareth, and hence deduced the proof that He was the Christ, cf. in Act 17:3 . So Theophylact explains out of the Scriptures which the Jews themselves knew.
[229] Westcott and Hort’s The New Testament in Greek: Critical Text and Notes.
[230] literal, literally.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
increased . . . in strength = was strengthened. Greek. endunamoo. Occurs elsewhere, Rom 4:20. Eph 6:10. Php 1:4, Php 1:13. 1Ti 1:12. 2Ti 2:1; 2Ti 4:17. Heb 11:34. Compare App-172.
confounded. See note on Act 2:6.
dwelt. See note on Act 2:5.
proving. Greek. sumbibazo. Literally bring together, compare. Here, Act 16:10 1Co 2:16. Eph 4:16. Co Act 1:2, Act 1:2, Act 1:19.
very Christ = the Christ, i.e. the Messiah. App-98. Instead of searching the Scriptures to see if these things were so, the Damascenes were occupied with the change in Saul’s attitude. Hence we read nothing of believers. Contrast Act 17:11, Act 17:12. No epistle addressed to them nor any record of a church there.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
22.] I regard the , as the only words beneath which can lie concealed the journey to Arabia. Paul mentions this journey (Gal 1:17) with no obscure hint that to it was to be assigned the reception by him, in full measure, of the Gospel which he preached. And such a reception would certainly give rise to the great accession of power here recorded. I am the more disposed to allot that journey this place, from the following considerations. The omission of any mention of it here can arise only from one of two causes: (1) whether Paul himself were the source of the narrative, or some other narrator,-the intentional passing over of it, as belonging more to his personal history (which it was his express purpose to relate in Galatians 1) than to that of his ministry: (2) on the supposition of Paul not having been the source of the narrative,-the narrator having not been aware of it. In either case, this expression seems to me one very likely to have been used:-(1) if the omission was intentional,-to record a remarkable accession of power to Sauls ministry, without particularizing whence or how it came: (2) if it was unintentional,-as a simple record of that which was observed in him, but of which the source was to the narrator unknown.
] Chrysostom strikingly says, , . (Cramers Catena.)
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Act 9:22. , he confounded) So that they contradicted themselves. The antithesis on the part of Saul is , confirming or proving assuredly. And yet he does not now fight against the Jews with those arms with which both himself had fought against believers, and with which he is now assailed by the Jews.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
But Saul
It seems probable that Act 9:22-25 refer to Paul’s labours in Damascus after his return from Arabia Gal 1:17.
The “many days” of verse Act 9:23 may represent the “three years” of Gal 1:18, which intervened between Paul’s return to Damascus and his visit to Peter.
Fuente: Scofield Reference Bible Notes
increased: Gen 49:24, Job 17:9, Psa 84:7, Isa 40:29, 2Co 12:9, 2Co 12:10, Phi 4:13
confounded: Act 6:9, Act 6:10, Act 18:27, Act 18:28, Luk 21:15, 1Co 1:27
proving: Act 17:3, Act 18:5, Act 28:23, Luk 24:44, Luk 24:45
Reciprocal: Mar 1:22 – they were Luk 9:20 – The 2Ti 1:7 – but
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2
Act 9:22. Increased in strength denotes that he became more powerful in proclaiming the Gospel. He confounded (confused and bewildered) the Jews by showing from their own scriptures that Jesus was the Christ predicted therein.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Act 9:22. But Saul increased the more in strength. Dean Alford regards these as the only words under which can lie concealed the journey to Arabia, His note on this verse is a striking one: Paul mentions this journey with no obscure hint that to it was to be assigned the reception by him of the Gospel which he preached, and such a reception would certainly give rise to the great accession of power here recorded. . . . The omission of any mention of this journey here can only arise from one or two causes:(1) Whether Paul himself were the source of the narration or some other narrator, the intentional passing over it as belonging more to his personal history than to that of his ministry. (2) On the supposition of Paul not having been the source of the narrative, the narrator having not been aware of it. In either case this expression (increased the more in strength) seems one very likely to have been used(1) if the omission was intentional, to record a remarkable accession of power to Sauls ministry without particularising whence or how it came; (2) if it was unintentional, as a simple record of that which was observed in him, but of which the source was to the narrator unknown.
Proving that this is the very Christ Literally, bringing together, showing the connection between the words of the Old Testament prophets and the life and work of Jesus of Nazareth.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
See notes on verse 19
Fuente: McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries (New Testament)
Verse 22
In strength; in confidence and ability.
Fuente: Abbott’s Illustrated New Testament
9:22 {3} But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, {k} proving that this is very Christ.
(3) Paul does not do battle only with his own authority, but also with the testimonies of the Prophets.
(k) By conferring places of the Scripture together, as skilful craftsman do when they make something, they used to gather all parts together, to make them agree fitly one with another.