Page 67 - Acts Student Textbook

Cyprus Described

Cyprus (13:4-12): Senatorial province (from 22 B.C.) ruled over by a proconsul or governor
(13:7); OT name: Kittim (Gen 10:4). Seleucia: port of Antioch, down to the coast on the Orontes
river. Salamis (east coast of Cyprus) to Paphos (western end), provincial capital: 100 miles.

Is Luke reliable in the facts of his historical narratives?

Luke records the conversion of Sergius Paulus, the proconsul (13:4-12). Stringer points out that, if
Sergius Paulus was a proconsul, that meant Cyprus was a Senatorial province (whose official would
be appointed by the Roman Senate), as distinguished from an Imperial province (whose leader would
be appointed by the Emperor). For many years critics claimed Luke was wrong here: that Cyprus was
an Imperial province, so could not be ruled by a proconsul. However, in 22 AD Cyprus became a
Senatorial province ruled by a proconsul. Coins have been found identifying rulers of Cyprus as
proconsuls, including even a coin referring to a proconsul named Paulus! So Luke was actually
accurate, therefore reliable!

How should we consider Paul’s rebuke and pronouncement of Punishment?

For the first time we are told that Saul was also called Paul. Saul is Hebrew, and Paul is simply the
Greek form of the same name. We are not told the reason for the change. Perhaps it was because he
was preaching to many Gentiles by this point.

Also for the first time Paul seemed to take the leadership. Previously Barnabas had been named first
and seemed to lead. He still remained the chief speaker on some subsequent occasions.

We should consider Paul’s pronouncement on Elymas as God’s temporal judgment for few reasons:
In 13:9-12, Luke narrates that it was actually Paul’s being “filled with the Holy Spirit" that led him to
make such a pronouncement. Secondly, before the pronouncement, Paul guided by the Holy Spirit
noted that this Jewish false prophet was: (1) "full by deceit," meaning to entrap with bait (this is the
only use of this term in Luke's writings) (2). "full of all fraud," this is from the Greek word that means
to do something lightly or frivolously, but it came to have an evil connotation (cf. 18:14). This term is
found only in Acts (cf. 13:10; 18:14). (3). "son of the devil," this is a Semitic idiom (cf. 3:25; 4:36) for
one characterized by the actions of the devil (cf. Matt. 13:38; John 8:38,41, 44, see Special Topics at
5:3). (4). "enemy of all righteousness," This term is used several times in Luke's writings involving OT
quotes (cf. Luke 1:71,74; 20:43; Acts 2:35). All that is like God, this man was against. (5). Paul uses
the inclusive term "all" three times to show this man's complete volitional wickedness Bar-Jesus (the
sorcerer) was also called Elymas by interpretation. Administering rebuke is never pleasant, but it is
commanded (Revelation 3:19; Galatians 6:1, 2; James 5:19,20; 1 Thessalonians 5:14; Ephesians 5:11;
2 Timothy 4:2-4). This example shows that the Holy Spirit approves of it, when needed, for He led
Paul to do it.

What was the actual pronouncement of punishment on Elymas?

11"Now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and not see the sun for a
time." And immediately a mist and a darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking those who
would lead him by the hand. (NASB)

13:11 "the hand of the Lord" This is a Semitic anthropomorphic phrase referring to the power and
presence of YHWH (cf. Luke 1:66; Acts 11:21). In the OT it often refers to God's judgment (cf. Exod.
9:3; 1 Sam. 5:6; Job 19:21; 23:2; Ps. 32:4; 38:2; 39:10), as it does here.

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