Acts 8:23

23 For I see you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by 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 You have no part or share in this matter, because your heart is not right before God.

22 Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that the intent of your heart may be forgiven you.

23 For I see you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity."

24 "Please pray to the Lord for me," Simon replied, "so that nothing you have said may happen to me."

25 Then, after they had testified and spoken the message of the Lord, they traveled back to Jerusalem, evangelizing many villages of the Samaritans.