SEV Biblia, Chapter 8:23
Porque en hiel de amargura y en prisin de maldad veo que ests.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Acts 8:23
Verse 23. The gall of bitterness] A Hebraism for excessive bitterness: gall, wormwood, and such like, were used to express the dreadful effects of sin in the soul; the bitter repentance, bitter regret, bitter sufferings, bitter death, &c., &c., which it produces. In Deut. xxix. 18, idolatry and its consequences are expressed, by having among them a root that beareth GALL and WORMWOOD. And in Heb. xii. 15, some grievous sin is intended, when the apostle warns them, lest any root of BITTERNESS springing up, trouble you, and thereby many be defiled. Bond of iniquity.] An allusion to the mode in which the Romans secured their prisoners, chaining the right hand of the prisoner to the left hand of the soldier who guarded him; as if the apostle had said, Thou art tied and bound by the chain of thy sin; justice hath laid hold upon thee, and thou hast only a short respite before thy execution, to see if thou wilt repent.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 23. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness , etc.] Alluding to ( Deuteronomy 29:18, 32:32) with which compare ( Hebrews 12:15) and signifying, that he was in a state of nature and unregeneracy; under the power and dominion of covetousness, ambition, and hypocrisy; and in a way pernicious to himself, infectious to others, and ungrateful to God, and to good men; and that instead of the root of the matter, the truth of grace being in him, there was nothing in him but the bitter root of sin; which bore gall and wormwood, and everything that was nauseous and disagreeable: and in the bond of iniquity ; referring to ( Proverbs 5:22, Isaiah 58:6) and suggesting, that he was held fast bound in the bonds of sin, and with the cords of iniquity, or was entirely under the government of his lusts: the preposition eiv , which we render in, may retain here, as is by some observed, its proper sense of for, or into; and have the same signification it has in ( Hebrews 1:5) I will be to him for a father, or a father, and he shall be to me for a son, or a son: and then the sense of Peter is, I plainly perceive and clearly see by thy words and actions, that thou art nothing else but a lump of bitter gall, and a bundle of sin and wickedness.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 14-25 - The Holy Ghost was as yet fallen upon none of these coverts, in the extraordinary powers conveyed by the descent of the Spirit upon the da of Pentecost. We may take encouragement from this example, in prayin to God to give the renewing graces of the Holy Ghost to all for whose spiritual welfare we are concerned; for that includes all blessings. N man can give the Holy Spirit by the laying on of his hands; but we should use our best endeavours to instruct those for whom we pray Simon Magus was ambitious to have the honour of an apostle, but care not at all to have the spirit and disposition of a Christian. He wa more desirous to gain honour to himself, than to do good to others Peter shows him his crime. He esteemed the wealth of this world, as i it would answer for things relating to the other life, and woul purchase the pardon of sin, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and eterna life. This was such a condemning error as could by no means consis with a state of grace. Our hearts are what they are in the sight of God, who cannot be deceived. And if they are not right in his sight our religion is vain, and will stand us in no stead. A proud an covetous heart cannot be right with God. It is possible for a man to continue under the power of sin, yet to put on a form of godliness When tempted with money to do evil, see what a perishing thing mone is, and scorn it. Think not that Christianity is a trade to live by in this world. There is much wickedness in the thought of the heart, it false notions, and corrupt affections, and wicked projects, which mus be repented of, or we are undone. But it shall be forgiven, upon ou repentance. The doubt here is of the sincerity of Simon's repentance not of his pardon, if his repentance was sincere. Grant us, Lord another sort of faith than that which made Simon wonder only, and di not sanctify his heart. May we abhor all thoughts of making religio serve the purposes of pride or ambition. And keep us from that subtl poison of spiritual pride, which seeks glory to itself even from humility. May we seek only the honour which cometh from God.
Greek Textus Receptus
εις 1519 PREP γαρ 1063 CONJ χολην 5521 N-ASF πικριας 4088 N-GSF και 2532 CONJ συνδεσμον 4886 N-ASM αδικιας 93 N-GSF ορω 3708 5719 V-PAI-1S σε 4571 P-2AS οντα 5607 5752 V-PXP-ASM
Vincent's NT Word Studies
23. In the gall (eiv colhn). Lit., into. Thou hast fallen into and continuest in. Gall, only here and Matt. xxvii. 34. Gall of bitterness is bitter enmity against the Gospel.Bond of iniquity (sundesmon adikiav). Thou hast fallen into iniquity as into fetters. The word sundesmon denotes a close, firm bond (sun, together). It is used of the bond of Christian peace (Eph. iv. 3); of the close compacting of the church represented as a body (Col. ii. 19); and of love as the bond of perfectness (Col. iii. 14). See Isa. lviii. 6.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
8:23 {That thou art} (se onta). Participle in indirect discourse after horw (I see). {In the gall of bitterness} (eis colen pikrias). Old word from colas either from cew, to pour, or cloe, yellowish green, bile or gall. In the N.T. only in #Mt 27:34 and here. In LXX in sense of wormwood as well as bile. See #De 29:18; 32:32; La 3:15; Job 16:14. "Gall and bitterness" in #De 29:18. Here the gall is described by the genitive pikrias as consisting in "bitterness." In #Heb 12:15 "a root of bitterness," a bitter root. this word pikria in the N.T. only here and #Heb 12:15; Ro 3:14; Eph 4:31. The "bond of iniquity" (sundesmon adikias) is from #Isa 58:6. Paul uses this word of peace (#Eph 4:3), of love (#Col 3:14), of the body (#Col 2:19). Peter describes Simon's offer as poison and a chain.
