Act 9:22-23 | RWP | e4.org | Increased the more ( μαλλον ενεδυναμουτο ). Imperfect passive indicative of ενδυναμοω , to receive power (late verb), progressive increase in strength as opposition grew. Saul's recantation stirred controversy and Saul grew in power. See also Paul in ; ; ; ; . Christ, the dynamo of spiritual energy, was now pouring power ( ) into Paul who is already filled with the Holy Spirit ( ). Confounded ( συνεχυννεν ). Imperfect active indicative of συνχυννω (late form of συνχεω , to pour together, commingle, make confusion. The more Saul preached, the more the Jews were confused. Proving ( συνβιβαζων ). Present active participle of συνβιβαζω , old verb to make go together, to coalesce, to knit together. It is the very word that Luke will use in of the conclusion reached at Troas concerning the vision of Paul. Here Saul took the various items in the life of Jesus of Nazareth and found in them the proof that he was in reality "the Messiah" ( ο Χριστος ). This method of argument Paul continued to use with the Jews ( ). It was irresistible argument and spread consternation among the Jews. It was the most powerful piece of artillery in the Jewish camp that was suddenly turned round upon them. It is probable that at this juncture Saul went into Arabia for several years ( ). Luke makes no mention of this important event, but he leaves ample room for it at this point.

‏ Acts 9:22-23

Increased the more ( μαλλον ενεδυναμουτο ). Imperfect passive indicative of ενδυναμοω, to receive power (late verb), progressive increase in strength as opposition grew. Saul's recantation stirred controversy and Saul grew in power. See also Paul in Php 4:13; 1Ti 1:12; 2Ti 2:1; 4:17; Ro 4:20. Christ, the dynamo of spiritual energy, was now pouring power (Ac 1:8) into Paul who is already filled with the Holy Spirit (Ac 9:17).

Confounded ( συνεχυννεν ). Imperfect active indicative of συνχυννω (late form of συνχεω, to pour together, commingle, make confusion. The more Saul preached, the more the Jews were confused.

Proving ( συνβιβαζων ). Present active participle of συνβιβαζω, old verb to make go together, to coalesce, to knit together. It is the very word that Luke will use in 16:10 of the conclusion reached at Troas concerning the vision of Paul. Here Saul took the various items in the life of Jesus of Nazareth and found in them the proof that he was in reality "the Messiah" ( ο Χριστος ). This method of argument Paul continued to use with the Jews (Ac 17:3). It was irresistible argument and spread consternation among the Jews. It was the most powerful piece of artillery in the Jewish camp that was suddenly turned round upon them. It is probable that at this juncture Saul went into Arabia for several years (Ga 1:12-24). Luke makes no mention of this important event, but he leaves ample room for it at this point.

When many days were fulfilled ( Hως επληρουντο ημερα ικανα ). Imperfect passive indicative of πληροω, old and common verb, were in process of being fulfilled. How "many" (considerable, ικανα, common word for a long period) Luke does not say nor does he say that Saul spent all of this period in Damascus, as we know from Ga 1:16-18 was not the case. Paul there states definitely that he went away from Damascus to Arabia and returned there before going back to Jerusalem and that the whole period was about "three years" which need not mean three full years, but at least portions of three. Most of the three years was probably spent in Arabia because of the two explosions in Damascus (before his departure and on his return) and because he was unknown in Jerusalem as a Christian on his arrival there. It cannot be argued from the frequent lacunae in the Acts that Luke tells all that was true or that he knew. He had his own methods and aims as every historian has. We are at perfect liberty to supplement the narrative in the Acts with items from Paul's Epistles. So we must assume the return of Saul from Arabia at this juncture, between verses 22, 23, when Saul resumed his preaching in the Jewish synagogues with renewed energy and grasp after the period of mature reflection and readjustment in Arabia.

Took counsel together ( συνεβουλευσαντο ). First aorist (effective) middle indicative of συνβουλευω, old and common verb for counselling ( βουλευω ) together ( συν ). Things had reached a climax. It was worse than before he left for Arabia. Paul was now seeing the fulfilment of the prophecy of Jesus about him (9:16).

To kill him ( ανελειν αυτον ). Second aorist (effective) active infinitive of αναιρεω, to take up, to make away with, to kill (Lu 23:32; Ac 12:1, etc.). The infinitive expresses purpose here as is done in verse 24 by οπως and the aorist active subjunctive of the same verb ( ανελωσιν ). Saul now knew what Stephen had suffered at his hands as his own life was in peril in the Jewish quarter of Damascus. It was a picture of his old self. He may even have been scourged here (2Co 11:24).