The action of God's power, the power of the Kingdom, can be quite diverse. Earlier, during the Savior's earthly ministry, and also after Pentecost, up to the encounter with the magician named Elymas, this power showed itself as...
The action of God's power, the power of the Kingdom, can be quite diverse. Earlier, during the Savior's earthly ministry, and also after Pentecost, up to the encounter with the magician named Elymas, this power showed itself as healing, raising the dead, and in general restoring the damage done to the world by the evil in which it lies. And now for the first time it manifested itself, as it may appear, in a completely opposite way, depriving of sight a man immersed in sinful life. Many readers understand Elymas's blindness precisely this way: as punishment for a very serious sin committed quite consciously. One can only wonder why, in that case, the whole temple elite did not go blind immediately after the Resurrection. The matter is clearly not so simple and cannot be reduced merely to punishment for sin.
The reason is probably different: Elymas really did come into contact with the Kingdom, and quite closely, though perhaps not for long. Judging by everything, he was a real magician, and therefore really knew of the existence of that power which lies at the foundation of the universe, and in part probably possessed it. This power is one, and it has one source: the God of Israel, one of whose ancient names is God of Power. Of course, no magician is given it in fullness, not even in the fullness available to a believer. This is understandable: a magician always tries to obtain it, so to speak, through the back door - not so much to receive it as to steal it. And because God's power is poured out into creation in full and even overflowing measure, sometimes a magician manages to touch it furtively and even use it for his own purposes, of course without turning to God. Such a contact is possible only, figuratively speaking, from the underside of God's world, but the magician agrees even to this, if only he does not have to meet face to face with God, whom he usually fears.
And so such a magician comes into contact with the Kingdom: with the fullness of its life and its power, with God's presence. But his sight is not accustomed to the light of this Presence, to the light of the Kingdom, for he is used to the spiritual twilight of that underside of the world where he has spent most of his life. It is no wonder that Elymas went blind: bright light can blind an unaccustomed eye. What happens next depends on the person, on his attitude toward the new reality that has broken into his life. We do not know Elymas's later fate, but he, like anyone else, had every opportunity to regain sight both spiritually and physically. Whether he made use of these opportunities is another question.
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13:1 Manaen, who had been brought up with Herod - His foster brother, now freed from the temptations of a court.
13:2 Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them - This was not ordaining them. St. Paul was ordained long before, and that not of men, neither by man: it was only inducting him to the province for which our Lord had appointed him from the beginning, and which was now revealed to the prophets and teachers. In consequence of this they fasted, prayed, and laid their hands on them, a rite which was used not in ordination only, but in blessing, and on many other occasions.
13:3 Then having fasted - Again. Thus they did also, Act 14:23.
13:5 In the synagogues - Using all opportunities that offered.
13:6 Paphos was on the western, Salamis on the eastern part of the island.
13:7 The proconsul - The Roman governor of Cyprus, a prudent man - And therefore not overswayed by Elymas, but desirous to inquire farther.
13:9 Then Saul, who was also called Paul - It is not improbable, that coming now among the Romans, they would naturally adapt his name to their own language, and so called him Paul instead of Saul.Perhaps the family of the proconsul might be the first who addressed to or spoke of him by this name. And from this time, being the apostle of the Gentiles, he himself used the name which was more familiar to them.
13:10 O full of all guile - As a false prophet, and all mischief - As a magician. Thou son of the devil - A title well suited toa magician; and one who not only was himself unrighteous, but laboured to keep others from all goodness. Wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? - Even now thou hast heard the truth of the Gospel.
13:11 And immediately a mist - Or dimness within, and darkness without, fell upon him.
13:12 Being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord - Confirmed by such a miracle.