Luke the beloved physician wrote how Barnabas and Saul, “had gone through the isle unto Paphos”, and “they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus 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. But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith. Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him, ...”, and in chapter thirteen and verse ten of the book of Acts Luke shared how Paul says to Elymas, “O full of all subtlety and all mischief, you child of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness” where we read:
And said, O full of all subtlety and all mischief, you child of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?
The verse begins, “And said, O full of all subtlety and all mischief, you child of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, ...” Luke began with the words, “and said” which means “and uttered, declared and proclaimed”, “O full of all subtlety” or “Oh one filled up, complete and thoroughly permeated with each, every, the whole and everything related to craft, deceit and guile” “and all mischief” which means “and each, every, the whole and everything related to unscrupulous, cunning and reckless acts”, “you child of the devil” or “you, Elymas, offspring and progeny belonging to the slanderer, false accuser and Satan”, “you enemy of all righteousness” which means “you, Elymas, odious, hating and opposing one to each, every, the whole and everything related to integrity, virtue, purity of life, correctness of thinking and the doctrine concerning the way in which man may attain a state approved of God”. Luke shared how “Saul” vigorously confronted “Elymas” as he told him he was filled with “craft, deceit and reckless acts” as he labeled him as the “devil's offspring” and the foe of “virtue and integrity” before God.
The verse goes on to say, “... will you not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?” Luke continued with the words, “will you not cease to pervert” which means “will you, Elymas, not cease, desist or leave off from distorting, opposing and corrupting” “the right ways” or “the straight, upright, true and sincere manners, acts and conduct” “of the Lord” which means “belonging to the One to whom a person or thing belongs about which he has power of deciding; master, and the title given to God the Messiah”? Luke shared how “Saul” asked “Elymas” whether he would stop “distorting and opposing” God's “upright and true” way of living.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we discover how “Saul” confronted “Elymas” who was attempting to divert “Sergius Paulus” the governor of “Paphos” from believing the “gospel of Jesus Christ”. Rather than ignoring “Elymas'” efforts to turn “Sergius Paulus” aside from the faith, “Saul” told “Elymas” he was filled with guile, unscrupulous, the offspring of Satan and an “enemy” of God and His ways. We can only imagine this blast of words coming toward “Elymas” from “Saul”, but it was because this man was attempting to interrupt the belief of “Sergius Paulus” in Jesus. God sent His Son Jesus into the world to die for the sins of mankind, and Jesus was raised from the grave three days later so every person might have an opportunity to have a personal relationship with God and live forever with Him. Anyone opposed to God's “gospel” should be greatly aware of what happens to “Elymas” because the “gospel” of Jesus Christ is still available today for all who receive Him as their “Savior and Lord”. Let all who read these words take heed.
Next time Luke shares how Paul says to Elymas, “the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a season”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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