Acts 8:23
Verse
Context
Sermons
Harold E. Schmul
George FoxGeorge Fox
Thomas BrooksGeorge FoxSummary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
The gall of bitterness - A Hebraism for excessive bitterness: gall, wormwood, and such like, were used to express the dreadful effects of sin in the soul; the bitter repentance, bitter regret, bitter sufferings, bitter death, etc., etc., which it produces. In Deu 29:18, idolatry and its consequences are expressed, by having among them a root that beareth Gall and Wormwood. And in Heb 12:15, some grievous sin is intended, when the apostle warns them, lest any root of Bitterness springing up, trouble you, and thereby many be defiled. Bond of iniquity - An allusion to the mode in which the Romans secured their prisoners, chaining the right hand of the prisoner to the left hand of the soldier who guarded him; as if the apostle had said, Thou art tied and bound by the chain of thy sin; justice hath laid hold upon thee, and thou hast only a short respite before thy execution, to see if thou wilt repent.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
in the gall of bitterness and . . . bond of iniquity--expressing both the awfulness of his condition and the captivity to it in which he was held.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Then answered Simon, and said,.... Whose conscience might be touched, and smote with what Peter had said; and he might be terrified with the wrath of God, and filled with fear of his judgment coming upon him for his wickedness, and might now stand trembling before the apostles: and if this was not his case, he was a most hardened and audacious wretch; and his following words must be understood in a different sense, from what they might seem to have, when they came out of his mouth: pray ye to the Lord for me; the Arabic version reads, "pray ye two"; the words are addressed both to Peter and John; for though Peter only spake to him, yet John joined with him, and assented to what he said, and approved of it; and which he might signify either by word or gesture; wherefore Simon desires both of them, that they would pray to the Lord for him; but whether he was serious, and in good earnest in this, is a question; since there is no reason to believe he truly repented, from the accounts given of him by ancient writers; who always represent him as an opposer of the apostles and their doctrine, as the father of all heresies, as a blasphemous wretch; who gave out that he was the Father in Samaria, the Son in Judea, and the Holy Ghost in other places; and as a very lewd and wicked man, who carried about with him a whore, whose name was Helena; whom he called the mother of the universe, and gave out the angels were made by her, and the world by them; with many other errors, blasphemies, and impieties: so that it should rather seem, that though Peter was serious in his advice to Simon, yet he was not so in his request to him; but in a sarcastic sneering way, desired his prayers for him; suggesting, that he was not in any pain about what he had said: and if he was in earnest, he did not take Peter's advice to pray for himself; nor did he declare any repentance for his sin; and his desire that the apostles would pray for him, might not be from any sense he had of the evil of his sin, but from a slavish fear of the evil, or mischief, that was like to come upon him for his sin, as appears by what follows: that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me; as that his money should perish with him, and he with that; or that he should go into destruction; that everlasting destruction and ruin would be his portion; and that he should have no part nor lot in eternal life, unless he repented, and his sin was pardoned: and this confirms what has been before observed, that John assented to what Peter spoke, or said the same, or such like things to Simon as he did.
Acts 8:23
Simon the Sorcerer
22Repent, therefore, of your wickedness, and pray to the Lord. Perhaps He will forgive you for the intent of your heart.23For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and captive to iniquity.”
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Bitterness
By Harold E. Schmul1.5K57:42BitternessDEU 29:18DEU 32:32MAT 18:15ACT 8:23ROM 12:18EPH 4:31HEB 12:14In this sermon, the preacher begins by expressing his dissatisfaction with a fellow believer whom he considers a compromiser and a danger to their movement. He then discusses the destructive consequences of bitterness in a person's soul, leading to foolish decisions and ultimately backsliding. The preacher emphasizes that bitterness can manifest in various areas of life, causing rivalries and conflicts at every level of society. He concludes by recounting the story of Saul's jealousy towards David, highlighting the negative consequences of envy and rage.
Epistle 109
By George Fox0PatienceUnity in ChristGEN 9:23PSA 60:2ISA 58:12MAT 18:20ACT 8:23ROM 14:131CO 13:5PHP 4:5COL 4:6JAS 4:11George Fox emphasizes the importance of patience and unity among believers, urging them to refrain from judging and speaking ill of one another, as such actions sow discord and allow worldly influences to disrupt their fellowship. He encourages friends to dwell in the life of God, fostering love and understanding, and to cover each other's shortcomings with grace. Fox warns against the dangers of strife and the worldly spirit, advocating for moderation and temperance as essential virtues that reflect God's truth. He calls for a commitment to love and unity, highlighting that true strength lies in the seed of God that brings healing and reconciliation. Ultimately, he stresses that the weight of truth should be valued above all, as it is the foundation for genuine community and spiritual growth.
Epistle 47
By George Fox0ACT 8:23George Fox preaches about dwelling in the light of Christ to learn of Him in life, allowing the spirit of life to move against the works of death and bring freedom. He emphasizes the importance of knowing and following the spirit that exercises meekness, truth, and faithfulness, breaking the bonds of iniquity and scattering evil influences. Fox warns against imitating others blindly, urging each individual to focus on their own spiritual growth to maintain peace and unity. He highlights the diversity of gifts but the unity in the spirit, cautioning against judging different paths as God has various ways to lead His people. Fox encourages believers to silence their fleshly desires, purify their ways, and embrace the mystery of godliness through deep spiritual growth.
The Bond of Iniquity
By Thomas Brooks0SinSpiritual BondagePSA 107:10ISA 61:1JHN 8:34JHN 8:36ACT 8:23ROM 6:16GAL 5:1EPH 4:22HEB 12:12PE 2:19Thomas Brooks emphasizes the destructive nature of sin, describing it as a 'bond of iniquity' that enslaves the soul. He illustrates how sin acts as a chain that binds the sinner to curses, wrath, and ultimately hell, making it the worst form of bondage. Brooks urges listeners to view their sins as chains that should evoke loathing and a desire for freedom. He highlights that unlike any earthly chains, the chains of sin are the most grievous and should compel one to seek liberation through Christ. The sermon calls for a deep reflection on the nature of sin and the urgent need for spiritual emancipation.
Epistle 44
By George Fox0JOB 28:28PSA 111:10PRO 1:20PRO 16:6PRO 17:24ECC 2:14MAT 5:8MAT 11:19JHN 3:19ACT 8:23ROM 2:15ROM 6:61CO 4:201CO 12:13GAL 5:24COL 2:2JAS 1:5JAS 3:17George Fox preaches about the importance of waiting upon the unlimited power and spirit of the Lord to experience unity, crucify the flesh, mortify evil desires, and put off sin. He emphasizes the need to circumcise the heart, join together with God, and receive living mercies from the living God alone. Fox urges the congregation to wait in the light, heed the inner light from God, and bring forth fruits of righteousness. He warns against being led astray by temptations and priests, highlighting the significance of waiting in the fear of the Lord to see wisdom's gate and receive pure wisdom from God's treasury.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
The gall of bitterness - A Hebraism for excessive bitterness: gall, wormwood, and such like, were used to express the dreadful effects of sin in the soul; the bitter repentance, bitter regret, bitter sufferings, bitter death, etc., etc., which it produces. In Deu 29:18, idolatry and its consequences are expressed, by having among them a root that beareth Gall and Wormwood. And in Heb 12:15, some grievous sin is intended, when the apostle warns them, lest any root of Bitterness springing up, trouble you, and thereby many be defiled. Bond of iniquity - An allusion to the mode in which the Romans secured their prisoners, chaining the right hand of the prisoner to the left hand of the soldier who guarded him; as if the apostle had said, Thou art tied and bound by the chain of thy sin; justice hath laid hold upon thee, and thou hast only a short respite before thy execution, to see if thou wilt repent.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
in the gall of bitterness and . . . bond of iniquity--expressing both the awfulness of his condition and the captivity to it in which he was held.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Then answered Simon, and said,.... Whose conscience might be touched, and smote with what Peter had said; and he might be terrified with the wrath of God, and filled with fear of his judgment coming upon him for his wickedness, and might now stand trembling before the apostles: and if this was not his case, he was a most hardened and audacious wretch; and his following words must be understood in a different sense, from what they might seem to have, when they came out of his mouth: pray ye to the Lord for me; the Arabic version reads, "pray ye two"; the words are addressed both to Peter and John; for though Peter only spake to him, yet John joined with him, and assented to what he said, and approved of it; and which he might signify either by word or gesture; wherefore Simon desires both of them, that they would pray to the Lord for him; but whether he was serious, and in good earnest in this, is a question; since there is no reason to believe he truly repented, from the accounts given of him by ancient writers; who always represent him as an opposer of the apostles and their doctrine, as the father of all heresies, as a blasphemous wretch; who gave out that he was the Father in Samaria, the Son in Judea, and the Holy Ghost in other places; and as a very lewd and wicked man, who carried about with him a whore, whose name was Helena; whom he called the mother of the universe, and gave out the angels were made by her, and the world by them; with many other errors, blasphemies, and impieties: so that it should rather seem, that though Peter was serious in his advice to Simon, yet he was not so in his request to him; but in a sarcastic sneering way, desired his prayers for him; suggesting, that he was not in any pain about what he had said: and if he was in earnest, he did not take Peter's advice to pray for himself; nor did he declare any repentance for his sin; and his desire that the apostles would pray for him, might not be from any sense he had of the evil of his sin, but from a slavish fear of the evil, or mischief, that was like to come upon him for his sin, as appears by what follows: that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me; as that his money should perish with him, and he with that; or that he should go into destruction; that everlasting destruction and ruin would be his portion; and that he should have no part nor lot in eternal life, unless he repented, and his sin was pardoned: and this confirms what has been before observed, that John assented to what Peter spoke, or said the same, or such like things to Simon as he did.