Simon attracted people to himself; he posed as a man of power and mystery. The gospel fixes our thoughts exclusively upon Jesus. We preach Him as Lord, and ourselves as servants for His sake. Simon's faith was spurious; he believed about rather than in Christ. John was sent with Peter to bring the fire of Pentecost to the very locality where formerly he and his brother had suggested that they should call fire from heaven to destroy. See Luke 9:54. May we not learn from this mission that some are specially qualified to lead others into the enjoyment of pentecostal blessing? In this service Peter used the power of the keys entrusted to him by the Master; and we may all do likewise when we lead others forward to claim that which awaits them in Christ Jesus.
Simon saw what an additional source of influence would accrue to him if only he could exert the same powers, but he had no idea of the spiritual conditions on which alone they could be obtained. Simony is the name for the practice of making gain by means of religion, 1 Timothy 6:5. Perhaps in Acts 8:22 does not indicate a doubt upon God's side, but upon Simon's side-whether his treacherous heart would ever be able to conform to the divine conditions. [source]
Chapter Summary: Acts 8
1By occasion of the persecution in Jerusalem, the church being planted in Samaria, 4by Philip the deacon, who preached, did miracles, and baptized many; 9among the rest Simon the sorcerer, a great seducer of the people; 14Peter and John come to confirm and enlarge the church; 15where, by prayer and imposition of hands giving the Holy Spirit; 18when Simon would have bought the like power of them, 20Peter sharply reproving his hypocrisy and covetousness, 22and exhorting him to repentance, 25together with John preaching the word of the Lord, return to Jerusalem; 26but the angel sends Philip to teach and baptize the Ethiopian Eunuch
Greek Commentary for Acts 8:23
That thou art [σε οντα] Participle in indirect discourse after ορω horō (I see). [source]
In the gall of bitterness [εις χολην πικριας] Old word from χολας cholas either from χεω cheō to pour, or χλοη chloē yellowish green, bile or gall. In the N.T. only in Matthew 27:34 and here. In lxx in sense of wormwood as well as bile. See Deuteronomy 29:18 and Deuteronomy 32:32; Lamentations 3:15; and Job 16:14. “Gall and bitterness” in Deuteronomy 29:18. Here the gall is described by the genitive πικριας pikrias as consisting in “bitterness.” In Hebrews 12:15 “a root of bitterness,” a bitter root. This word πικρια pikria in the N.T. only here and Hebrews 12:15; Romans 3:14; Ephesians 4:31. The “bond of iniquity” Peter describes Simon‘s offer as poison and a chain. [source]
In the gall [εἰς χολὴν] Lit., into. Thou hast fallen into and continuest in. Gall, only here and Matthew 27:34. Gall of bitterness is bitter enmity against the Gospel. [source]
Bond of iniquity [σύνδεσμον ἀδικίας] Thou hast fallen into iniquity as into fetters. The word σύνδεσμον denotes a close, firm bond ( σύν , together)It is used of the bond of Christian peace (Ephesians 4:3); of the close compacting of the church represented as a body (Colossians 2:19); and of love as the bond of perfectness (Colossians 3:14:). See Isaiah 58:6. [source]
Greek Commentary for Acts 8:23
Participle in indirect discourse after ορω horō (I see). [source]
Old word from χολας cholas either from χεω cheō to pour, or χλοη chloē yellowish green, bile or gall. In the N.T. only in Matthew 27:34 and here. In lxx in sense of wormwood as well as bile. See Deuteronomy 29:18 and Deuteronomy 32:32; Lamentations 3:15; and Job 16:14. “Gall and bitterness” in Deuteronomy 29:18. Here the gall is described by the genitive πικριας pikrias as consisting in “bitterness.” In Hebrews 12:15 “a root of bitterness,” a bitter root. This word πικρια pikria in the N.T. only here and Hebrews 12:15; Romans 3:14; Ephesians 4:31. The “bond of iniquity” Peter describes Simon‘s offer as poison and a chain. [source]
Lit., into. Thou hast fallen into and continuest in. Gall, only here and Matthew 27:34. Gall of bitterness is bitter enmity against the Gospel. [source]
Thou hast fallen into iniquity as into fetters. The word σύνδεσμον denotes a close, firm bond ( σύν , together)It is used of the bond of Christian peace (Ephesians 4:3); of the close compacting of the church represented as a body (Colossians 2:19); and of love as the bond of perfectness (Colossians 3:14:). See Isaiah 58:6. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Acts 8:23
Old word from πικρος pikros (bitter), in N.T. only here and Acts 8:23; Romans 3:14; Hebrews 12:15. [source]