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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - Acts 8:3 - 8:3
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Laid waste (elumaineto). Imperfect middle of lumainomai, old verb (from lumē, injury), to dishonour, defile, devastate, ruin. Only here in the N.T. Like the laying waste of a vineyard by a wild boar (Psa 79:13). Picturesque description of the havoc carried on by Saul now the leader in the persecution. He is victor over Stephen now who had probably worsted him in debate in the Cilician synagogue in Jerusalem.
Into every house (kata tous oikous). But Luke terms it “the church” (tēn ekklēsian). Plainly not just an “assembly,” but an organized body that was still “the church” when scattered in their own homes, “an unassembled assembly” according to the etymology. Words do not remain by the etymology, but travel on with usage.
Haling (surōn). Literally, dragging forcibly (=hauling). Present active participle of surō, old verb.
Men and women (andras kai gunaikas). A new feature of the persecution that includes the women. They met it bravely as through all the ages since (cf. Act 9:2; Act 22:4). This fact will be a bitter memory for Paul always.
Committed (paredidou). Imperfect active of paradidōmi, old verb, kept on handing them over to prison.