Peter"s stern response, however, revealed the seriousness of Simon"s error. J. B. Phillips paraphrased Peter"s opening words, "To hell with you and your money!" [1] Literally Peter said, "Your silver be with you into perdition." By his request Simon had revealed that he hoped he could buy God"s gifts, namely, the Holy Spirit and the ability to impart the Holy Spirit to others. Peter corrected him harshly. God"s gifts are gifts; people cannot purchase them because God gives them freely and sovereignly. Simon had much to learn about the grace of God. Peter told him God would not grant the ability he sought because his heart was not right with God. Simon wanted to be able to bring glory to himself rather than to God. Barclay referred to James Denney, the Scottish preacher, has having said that we cannot at one and the same time show that we are clever and that Christ is wonderful. [2] Proper motives are essential as we seek to serve Jesus Christ. Simon"s flesh rather than the Holy Spirit still controlled him. Bitterness, bondage, and iniquity still characterized him ( Acts 8:23). Perhaps Peter received insight as a prophet into Simon"s motivation (cf. Acts 5:3). [3][source]
"Peter describes Simon"s offer as poison and a chain." [4][source]
Simon was to the Samaritan church what Ananias and Sapphira were to the Jerusalem church: an early instance of self-seeking (cf. Acts 5:1-11). Peter may have wondered if God would judge Simon as He had Ananias and Sapphira, if Simon was about to fall dead at his feet. [source][source][source]