Acts 9:22 | Bible Study

Acts 9:22

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.

Complete Jewish Bible:

But Sha’ul was being filled with more and more power and was creating an uproar among the Jews living in Dammesek with his proofs that Yeshua is the Messiah.

Berean Standard Bible:

But Saul was empowered all the more, and he confounded the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ.

American Standard Version:

But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews that dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

But^{G1161} Saul^{G4569} increased^{G1743} the more^{G3123} in strength^{G1743}, and^{G2532} confounded^{G4797} the Jews^{G2453} which^{G3588} dwelt^{G2730} at^{G1722} Damascus^{G1154}, proving^{G4822} that^{G3754} this^{G3778} is^{G2076} very Christ^{G5547}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Acts 18:5

And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews [that] Jesus [was] Christ.

Isaiah 40:29

He giveth power to the faint; and to [them that have] no might he increaseth strength.

Luke 21:15

For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.

1 Corinthians 1:27

But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

Acts 18:27

And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace:

Acts 18:28

For he mightily convinced the Jews, [and that] publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.

Acts 28:23

¶ And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into [his] lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and [out of] the prophets, from morning till evening.

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Commentary for Acts 9:22

Acts 9:22 is a pivotal verse in the New Testament that captures a moment in the transformation of Saul of Tarsus, who would later become known as the Apostle Paul. The historical context of this verse is set shortly after Saul's dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus, where he encountered the risen Jesus Christ. Prior to this encounter, Saul was a zealous persecutor of the early Christian Church.

In the verse, "But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ," we see the immediate impact of Saul's conversion. Despite his former role as a persecutor, Saul now grows stronger in his faith and becomes a powerful advocate for Christianity. The verse reflects his newfound mission to preach the Gospel, which he does with such effectiveness that he "confounds" or utterly puzzles and silences the Jewish leaders in Damascus.

The themes present in this verse include the transformative power of faith and the surprising ways in which God can use individuals for His purposes. Saul's story is a testament to the idea that no one is beyond redemption and that a personal encounter with Christ can radically alter one's life direction. Additionally, the verse underscores the early Christian belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ as a central tenet of their faith, which Saul himself is now vigorously defending and proclaiming as true. This moment marks the beginning of Paul's influential ministry, which would shape the early Church and contribute significantly to Christian theology through his epistles and missionary journeys.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

Strong's Number: G1161
There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: δέ
Transliteration: dé
Pronunciation: deh
Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
Strong's Number: G4569
There are 17 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: Σαῦλος
Transliteration: Saûlos
Pronunciation: sow'-los
Description: of Hebrew origin, the same as Σαούλ; Saulus (i.e. Shaul), the Jewish name of Paul:--Saul.
Strong's Number: G1743
There are 8 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐνδυναμόω
Transliteration: endynamóō
Pronunciation: en-doo-nam-o'-o
Description: from ἐν and δυναμόω; to empower:--enable, (increase in) strength(-en), be (make) strong.
Strong's Number: G3123
There are 81 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: μᾶλλον
Transliteration: mâllon
Pronunciation: mal'-lon
Description: neuter of the comparative of the same as μάλιστα; (adverbially) more (in a greater degree)) or rather:--+ better, X far, (the) more (and more), (so) much (the more), rather.
Strong's Number: G2532
There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: καί
Transliteration: kaí
Pronunciation: kahee
Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
Strong's Number: G4797
There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: συγχέω
Transliteration: synchéō
Pronunciation: soong-khoo'-no
Description: from σύν and (to pour) or its alternate; to commingle promiscuously, i.e. (figuratively) to throw (an assembly) into disorder, to perplex (the mind):--confound, confuse, stir up, be in an uproar.
Strong's Number: G2453
There are 187 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: Ἰουδαῖος
Transliteration: Ioudaîos
Pronunciation: ee-oo-dah'-yos
Description: from Ἰουδά (in the sense of Ἰούδας as a country); Judæan, i.e. belonging to Jehudah:--Jew(-ess), of Judæa.
Strong's Number: G3588
There are 498 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὁ
Transliteration: ho
Pronunciation: to
Description: the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Strong's Number: G2730
There are 43 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: κατοικέω
Transliteration: katoikéō
Pronunciation: kat-oy-keh'-o
Description: from κατά and οἰκέω; to house permanently, i.e. reside (literally or figuratively):--dwell(-er), inhabitant(-ter).
Strong's Number: G1722
There are 2129 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐν
Transliteration: en
Pronunciation: en
Description: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between εἰς and ἐκ); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
Strong's Number: G1154
There are 15 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: Δαμασκός
Transliteration: Damaskós
Pronunciation: dam-as-kos'
Description: of Hebrew origin (דַּמֶּשֶׂק); Damascus, a city of Syria:--Damascus.
Strong's Number: G4822
There are 6 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: συμβιβάζω
Transliteration: symbibázō
Pronunciation: soom-bib-ad'-zo
Description: from σύν and (to force; causative (by reduplication) of the base of βάσις); to drive together, i.e. unite (in association or affection), (mentally) to infer, show, teach:--compact, assuredly gather, intrust, knit together, prove.
Strong's Number: G3754
There are 1189 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὅτι
Transliteration: hóti
Pronunciation: hot'-ee
Description: neuter of ὅστις as conjunction; demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because:--as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.
Strong's Number: G3778
There are 344 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: οὗτος
Transliteration: hoûtos
Pronunciation: how'-tahee
Description: from the article ὁ and αὐτός; the he (she or it), i.e. this or that (often with article repeated):--he (it was that), hereof, it, she, such as, the same, these, they, this (man, same, woman), which, who.
Strong's Number: G2076
There are 812 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐστί
Transliteration: estí
Pronunciation: es-tee'
Description: third person singular present indicative of εἰμί; he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are:--are, be(-long), call, X can(-not), come, consisteth, X dure for a while, + follow, X have, (that) is (to say), make, meaneth, X must needs, + profit, + remaineth, + wrestle.
Strong's Number: G5547
There are 530 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: Χριστός
Transliteration: Christós
Pronunciation: khris-tos'
Description: from χρίω; anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus:--Christ.

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