Acts 8:23

23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.

Acts 8:23 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 8:23

For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness,
&c.] Alluding to ( Deuteronomy 29:18 ) ( 32:32 ) with which compare ( Hebrews 12:15 ) and signifying, that he was in a state of nature and unregeneracy; under the power and dominion of covetousness, ambition, and hypocrisy; and in a way pernicious to himself, infectious to others, and ungrateful to God, and to good men; and that instead of the root of the matter, the truth of grace being in him, there was nothing in him but the bitter root of sin; which bore gall and wormwood, and everything that was nauseous and disagreeable:

and in the bond of iniquity;
referring to ( Proverbs 5:22 ) ( Isaiah 58:6 ) and suggesting, that he was held fast bound in the bonds of sin, and with the cords of iniquity, or was entirely under the government of his lusts: the preposition (eiv) , which we render "in", may retain here, as is by some observed, its proper sense of "for", or "into"; and have the same signification it has in ( Hebrews 1:5 ) "I will be to him for a father", or "a father", and "he shall be to me for a son", or "a son": and then the sense of Peter is, I plainly perceive and clearly see by thy words and actions, that thou art nothing else but a lump of bitter gall, and a bundle of sin and wickedness.

Acts 8:23 In-Context

21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.
22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.
24 Then answered Simon, and said , Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.
25 And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.
The King James Version is in the public domain.