Acts 13:10
And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
6 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
υἱὲ
thou child
G5207
υἱὲ
thou child
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
9 of 21
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
ἐχθρὲ
thou enemy
G2190
ἐχθρὲ
thou enemy
Strong's:
G2190
Word #:
11 of 21
hateful (passively, odious, or actively, hostile); usually as a noun, an adversary (especially satan)
δικαιοσύνης
righteousness
G1343
δικαιοσύνης
righteousness
Strong's:
G1343
Word #:
13 of 21
equity (of character or act); specially (christian) justification
παύσῃ
cease
G3973
παύσῃ
cease
Strong's:
G3973
Word #:
15 of 21
to stop (transitively or intransitively), i.e., restrain, quit, desist, come to an end
διαστρέφων
to pervert
G1294
διαστρέφων
to pervert
Strong's:
G1294
Word #:
16 of 21
to distort, i.e., (figuratively) misinterpret, or (morally) corrupt
τὰς
G3588
τὰς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὁδοὺς
ways
G3598
ὁδοὺς
ways
Strong's:
G3598
Word #:
18 of 21
a road; by implication, a progress (the route, act or distance); figuratively, a mode or means
κυρίου
of the Lord
G2962
κυρίου
of the Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
19 of 21
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
Cross References
John 8:44Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.Matthew 13:38The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;Hosea 14:9Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.2 Corinthians 11:3But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.Luke 11:52Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.1 John 3:8He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.Galatians 1:7Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.Matthew 3:7But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?Matthew 23:13But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.
Historical Context
Elymas (Bar-Jesus) was a Jewish false prophet and sorcerer in the court of Sergius Paulus, Cyprus's proconsul. His opposition to Paul and Barnabas circa AD 47-48 represents Satan's resistance to the gospel reaching Gentile authorities. Paul's confrontation won the proconsul to faith (v.12).
Questions for Reflection
- How do we identify 'children of the devil' by their fruits and opposition to truth?
- What does perverting 'the right ways of the Lord' mean, and how do false teachers do this?
- When is bold confrontation of deception appropriate in ministry?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Paul confronted Elymas: 'O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?' Paul's severe rebuke exposed Elymas's character - full of deceit and wickedness, a spiritual son of Satan opposing God's purposes. The phrase 'child of the devil' contrasts with God's children, showing spiritual paternity through resemblance of character. Reformed theology recognizes spiritual warfare against those who oppose the gospel through deception. Paul's boldness in confronting evil demonstrates the Spirit's empowerment to expose and oppose darkness.