Acts 13:10

and said, "O child of the devil and enemy of all righteousness, you are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery! Will you never stop perverting the straight ways of the Lord?

Study Bible

O child of the devil
This phrase is a direct and severe rebuke. The term "child" (Greek: τέκνον, teknon) implies a close relationship or resemblance. In this context, it signifies that the person being addressed, Elymas the sorcerer, embodies the characteristics of the devil. The devil, or Satan, is often depicted in Scripture as the ultimate adversary of God and His people, a deceiver and accuser. By calling Elymas a "child of the devil," Paul is highlighting his opposition to God's truth and his alignment with evil.

enemy of all righteousness
The word "enemy" (Greek: ἐχθρός, echthros) denotes hostility and opposition. Righteousness (Greek: δικαιοσύνη, dikaiosynē) refers to the quality of being morally right or justifiable, often associated with God's nature and His standards. Elymas is described as an adversary to all that is good and just, opposing the very essence of God's character and His righteous ways. This phrase underscores the spiritual battle between good and evil, with Elymas positioned firmly against God's purposes.

full of deceit and trickery
"Full" (Greek: πλήρης, plērēs) indicates being filled to capacity, suggesting that Elymas is completely consumed by these negative traits. "Deceit" (Greek: δόλος, dolos) involves cunning and misleading others, while "trickery" (Greek: ῥᾳδιουργία, rhadiourgia) refers to unscrupulous cunning or craftiness. This description paints a picture of Elymas as someone who uses manipulation and lies to achieve his ends, reflecting the devil's own nature as a deceiver.

will you never stop perverting
The phrase "will you never stop" (Greek: οὐ παύσῃ, ou pausē) suggests a persistent, ongoing action. "Perverting" (Greek: διαστρέφω, diastrephō) means to distort or turn aside from the right path. Paul is confronting Elymas for his continuous efforts to twist and corrupt the truth. This highlights the relentless nature of spiritual opposition and the need for vigilance in maintaining the integrity of the Gospel message.

the straight ways of the Lord
"Straight" (Greek: εὐθύς, euthys) implies directness and uprightness, often used to describe the paths of righteousness that God sets before His people. "Ways" (Greek: ὁδός, hodos) refers to a course of conduct or a manner of life. The "ways of the Lord" are His teachings and commandments, which are clear and righteous. Elymas's actions are depicted as an attempt to lead others away from these paths, emphasizing the importance of adhering to God's truth and resisting those who seek to lead believers astray.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Paul (formerly Saul)
A key figure in the early Christian church, known for his missionary journeys and epistles. In this passage, he is filled with the Holy Spirit and confronts Elymas.

2. Elymas (Bar-Jesus)
A Jewish sorcerer and false prophet who opposed Paul and Barnabas. His name means "son of Jesus," but Paul calls him "son of the devil" due to his deceitful nature.

3. Sergius Paulus
The proconsul of Cyprus, an intelligent man who sought to hear the word of God from Paul and Barnabas. His interest in the gospel is a catalyst for the confrontation with Elymas.

4. Cyprus
An island in the Mediterranean Sea where Paul and Barnabas were preaching. It was a significant location for early Christian missionary work.

5. Holy Spirit
The third person of the Trinity, who empowers and guides believers. In this event, the Holy Spirit fills Paul, enabling him to discern and confront Elymas's deceit.

Teaching Points

Discernment in Spiritual Warfare
Believers must seek the Holy Spirit's guidance to discern truth from deceit, especially when faced with opposition to the gospel.

Confronting Falsehood with Boldness
Like Paul, Christians are called to confront false teachings and deceit with boldness and truth, relying on the Holy Spirit's power.

The Importance of Righteousness
As followers of Christ, we are to be enemies of unrighteousness, striving to uphold the straight ways of the Lord in our lives and communities.

The Role of Spiritual Authority
Paul’s authority to rebuke Elymas comes from his relationship with Christ and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, reminding us of the importance of spiritual authority in ministry.

The Impact of the Gospel
Despite opposition, the gospel has the power to reach and transform lives, as seen in Sergius Paulus's interest in the message of Christ.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does Paul's confrontation with Elymas demonstrate the role of the Holy Spirit in spiritual discernment and authority?

2. In what ways can we identify and confront deceit and falsehood in our own lives and communities today?

3. How does understanding the spiritual battle described in Ephesians 6:12 help us in dealing with opposition to our faith?

4. What practical steps can we take to ensure we are upholding the "straight ways of the Lord" in our daily walk with Christ?

5. How can the example of Sergius Paulus's openness to the gospel encourage us in sharing our faith with others, even in the face of opposition?

Connections to Other Scriptures

John 8:44
Jesus refers to the devil as the father of lies, which connects to Paul's accusation of Elymas as a "son of the devil," highlighting the spiritual battle against deceit.

2 Corinthians 11:13-15
Paul warns about false apostles and deceitful workers, which parallels his confrontation with Elymas, a false prophet.

Ephesians 6:12
This verse speaks of the spiritual warfare against rulers of darkness, which is evident in Paul's spiritual confrontation with Elymas.