Acts 8:23 - Exposition

See for perceive, A.V. In the gall of bitterness , etc. The passage from which both this expression and the similar one in Hebrews 12:15 are taken is manifestly Deuteronomy 29:18 , where the Greek of the LXX . has, ῥίζα ἄνω φύουσα ἐν χολῇ καὶ πικρίᾳ . The context there also shows conclusively that the "gall and bitterness" ("wormwood," A.V.) of which Moses speaks is the spirit of idolatry or defection from God springing up in some professing member of the Church, and defiling and corrupting others, as it is expounded in Hebrews 12:15 , Hebrews 12:16 . This, as St. Peter saw, was exactly the case with Simon, whose heart was not straight with God, but "had turned away from him," as it is said in Deuteronomy. Though baptized, he was still an idolater in heart, and likely to trouble many. "The gall of bitterness" is the same as "gall and wormwood," or "bitterness." "Gall," or "bile," is in classical Greek and other languages a synonym for "bitterness," especially in a figurative sense (see Lamentations 3:15 , Lamentations 3:19 — πικρία καὶ χολή , LXX .). The uncommon phrase, the bond of iniquity, seems to be borrowed from Isaiah 58:6 , where the LXX . have the same words, λύε πὰντα σύνδεσμον ἀδικίας , "loose the bands of wickedness," A.V. Simon was still bound in these bands.