SEV Biblia, Chapter 9:22
Pero Saulo se fortaleci ms, y confundía a los judíos que moraban en Damasco, comprobando que ste es el Cristo.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Acts 9:22
Verse 22. Confounded the Jews] sunecune, Overwhelmed them so with his arguments that they were obliged to blush for the weakness of their own cause. Proving that this] outov, This person, viz. JESUS, is very Christ; estin o cristov, IS THE CHRIST, or Messiah. See on ver. 21.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 22. But Saul increased the more in strength , etc.] Not of body, but of mind; his gifts and graces, and spiritual light and knowledge increased; his abilities were greater; his fortitude of mind, boldness, and freedom of speech, every day increased: he got more, and new, and fresh arguments, by which he himself was confirmed, and he confirmed others in the truths of Christ. Some copies read, he was more strengthened in the word; either in the word of God, having a clearer understanding, and being more confirmed in the truth of it; or in speech, being more ready and powerful in speaking it. And confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus ; confuted them, and put them to silence, so that they had nothing to say for themselves, or against the truth: proving that this is very Christ ; by joining and knitting passages of Scripture in the Old Testament together, by producing and citing express testimonies from thence, and by comparing the prophecies and the characters of the Messiah in them, with Jesus of Nazareth, he proved to a demonstration that he must be the Messiah.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 10-22 - A good work was begun in Saul, when he was brought to Christ's fee with those words, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And never di Christ leave any who were brought to that. Behold, the proud Pharisee the unmerciful oppressor, the daring blasphemer, prayeth! And thus it is even now, and with the proud infidel, or the abandoned sinner. What happy tidings are these to all who understand the nature and power of prayer, of such prayer as the humbled sinner presents for the blessing of free salvation! Now he began to pray after another manner than he had done; before, he said his prayers, now, he prayed them Regenerating grace sets people on praying; you may as well find living man without breath, as a living Christian without prayer. Ye even eminent disciples, like Ananias, sometimes stagger at the command of the Lord. But it is the Lord's glory to surpass our scant expectations, and show that those are vessels of his mercy whom we ar apt to consider as objects of his vengeance. The teaching of the Holy Spirit takes away the scales of ignorance and pride from the understanding; then the sinner becomes a new creature, and endeavour to recommend the anointed Saviour, the Son of God, to his forme companions.
Greek Textus Receptus
σαυλος 4569 N-NSM δε 1161 CONJ μαλλον 3123 ADV ενεδυναμουτο 1743 5712 V-IPI-3S και 2532 CONJ συνεχυνεν 4797 5707 V-IAI-3S τους 3588 T-APM ιουδαιους 2453 A-APM τους 3588 T-APM κατοικουντας 2730 5723 V-PAP-APM εν 1722 PREP δαμασκω 1154 N-DSF συμβιβαζων 4822 5723 V-PAP-NSM οτι 3754 CONJ ουτος 3778 D-NSM εστιν 2076 5748 V-PXI-3S ο 3588 T-NSM χριστος 5547 N-NSM
Vincent's NT Word Studies
22. Confounded. See on ch. ii. 6.Proving (sumbibazwn). The verb means to bring or put together: hence to compare and examine, as evidence, and so to prove. Used in the literal and physical sense in Eph. iv. 16. In Col. ii. 2, of being knit together in love. In 1 Cor. ii. 16, of instructing, building up, by putting together. In this sense the word occurs in the Septuagint. See Leviticus x. 11; Judg. viii. 8.
The Christ. Note the article. Not a proper name, but an appellative. See on ver. 20.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
9:22 {Increased the more} (mallon enedunamouto). Imperfect passive indicative of endunamow, 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} (sunecunnen). Imperfect active indicative of suncunnw (late form of suncew, to pour together, commingle, make confusion. The more Saul preached, the more the Jews were confused. {Proving} (sunbibazwn). Present active participle of sunbibazw, 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" (ho cristos). 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.
