Acts 13:8

But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.

But {G1161} Elymas {G1681} the sorcerer {G3097}(for {G1063} so {G3779} is his {G846} name {G3686} by interpretation {G3177}) withstood {G436} them {G846}, seeking {G2212} to turn away {G1294} the deputy {G446} from {G575} the faith {G4102}.

but the sorcerer Elymas (for that is how his name is translated) opposed them, doing his best to turn the governor away from the faith.

But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith.

But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn aside the proconsul from the faith.

Commentary

Acts 13:8 describes a pivotal moment during Paul's (then known as Saul) and Barnabas's first missionary journey on the island of Cyprus. This verse highlights the immediate opposition they faced as they sought to share the Gospel with Sergius Paulus, the Roman proconsul.

Context

Paul and Barnabas had arrived in Paphos, the capital of Cyprus, and had gained the attention of Sergius Paulus, a man described as "prudent" or intelligent, who desired to hear the word of God. However, in his presence was a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, also known as Elymas. This verse introduces Elymas's direct interference, setting the stage for a spiritual confrontation. For more on the initial encounter, see Acts 13:6.

Key Themes

  • Spiritual Warfare: The encounter with Elymas is a clear illustration of the spiritual battle that accompanies the spread of the Gospel. Elymas, a practitioner of occult arts, actively resisted the divine truth being presented by Paul and Barnabas. This mirrors the broader reality of spiritual conflict against unseen forces.
  • Opposition to the Gospel: The verse explicitly states Elymas "withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith." This demonstrates that the message of Christ often meets direct resistance from those aligned with spiritual darkness or worldly systems that profit from deception.
  • The Nature of Deception: Elymas's actions are driven by a desire to maintain influence and prevent the proconsul from embracing the Christian faith. He represents a force of spiritual blindness and manipulation.

Linguistic Insights

The name "Elymas" is explained parenthetically as meaning "the sorcerer" or "magician" (from the Arabic/Aramaic root). This clarifies his profession and identity for the reader, emphasizing his role as a practitioner of magic or occult arts. The Greek word for "sorcerer" here is magos, which could refer to a wise man, astrologer, or someone involved in magical practices. Luke's inclusion of the interpretation highlights the nature of the opposition.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a reminder that the proclamation of God's truth will often face opposition. Believers should be prepared for spiritual resistance when sharing their faith or pursuing God's will. It underscores the importance of discernment, recognizing forces that seek to hinder spiritual growth or turn people away from belief. Ultimately, it points to the triumph of God's power over all forms of deception, as seen in the subsequent verses where Paul confronts Elymas directly (Acts 13:9-11), leading to the deputy's conversion (Acts 13:12).

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Timothy 3:8

    Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

  • 2 Timothy 4:14

    Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:

  • 2 Timothy 4:15

    Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.

  • Acts 13:6

    And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name [was] Barjesus:

  • Acts 13:7

    Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.

  • Acts 13:12

    Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.

  • Acts 9:36

    ¶ Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.
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