“They traveled through the whole island until they came to Paphos.” They worked their way through the whole island with the intent of not missing the opportunity to make sure that everyone had an opportunity to hear and respond to the Gospel. Have we been so diligent to spread the Gospel wherever the Lord has us? Do we wake up with a desire to share the Word? Or do we wake up with excuses? I believe that I do desire to share the Word as I am able, but I could be much bolder. Who dictates to us when and where we will share? Is it the Lord or the world? We should ask the Lord for the truth about that. Just ask the question without the excuses. Is that kinda scary?
Mythology was rife in Paphos. Those who propounded mythology set the city as the first home of Aphrodite, the goddess of love. Around 58 BC the Romans took over Cyprus and Paphos became the seat of the military government. Sergius Paulus became named proconsul who ruled from there. A proconsul was a governor who ruled beneath a consul and were appointed by the Senate. They served a limited term, usually two, and were either someone who had served previously as a consul, or were on their way up to being a consul. Most important to note is that Paphos was where the proconsul Sergius Paulus ruled from.
“There they met a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, 7 who was an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus.” We notice that that Bar-Jesus (son of Joshua) was a Jew. He knew better. But like in all countries, not all men follow laws, even the educated ones. This man was very educated. The word translated here as sorcerer is the same word that was used to describe the “wise” men who came from the east to worship Jesus as an infant (Matthew 2:1). This was not usually a “sorcerer” who dabbled in witchcraft or who communicated with the dead. They were educated men of actual science who also believed pagan superstition, so they being experts in astronomy, blended it with their superstition and practiced the cursed astrology. Bar-Jesus had a lofty position serving under the proconsul Sergius Paulus, he was an educated and intelligent man and may have originally been a priest from Persia. Unfortunately his pagan interests led him into, besides astrology, interpretation of dreams (not divine interpretation) and divination using the occult. He is called a false prophet. We have many of them today, people who do not look to God for truth and revelation, but to the false religions and pseudo sciences of the world. If one claims to know the future we should listen to see if God is getting the Glory, and if it is from the Word of God.
“The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God. The proconsul was an intelligent man. We many safely assume that he was one whom we may call a “seeker.” Someone who genuinely wants to know God, but had, to that point, not come to know Him. He had likely heard of Barnabas and Saul as the news had certainly gotten to him about these two going throughout the island preaching and teaching the Gospel. So, when they got to Paphos he genuinely wanted to know if what they were preaching was Truth from God.
“8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith.” Another name for Bar-Jesus was Elymas which means, as the verse states “sorcerer.” He certainly had given the proconsul much counsel using science and false religious beliefs. Now Barnabas and Saul were coming to bring the Truth. His job, and maybe even his life were in jeopardy. Elymas, like a scared long-time politician, like the Sanhedrin, was afraid for his livelihood and his life and he would oppose the gospel for purely selfish reasons.
“Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said.” This deceitful, skilled human was now facing the real deal. A man, Paul, filled with the living God, was looking straight at him. It would seem that Elymas felt his blood run cold. For him, the jig was up.
Also note a couple important items. It is here that we first hear Saul called Paul. The man who was filled with pride and considered himself a “requested one” has become “little” as it was not he who was important, but the important one was the Holy Spirit who was within him, guided him, and moved through him. From here on out Saul became known as Paul. Paul would later write to the Corinthians “That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:10) Paul had learned the deeper meaning of Proverbs 3:5-7 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.” Family, when we quit trying to do things in our strength, whether it be while battling hard times or whether we are doing the work of the Lord, that is when we see God do the wonderful and the miraculous. We need to bring the Holy Spirit with us and let Him propound the Word through us. Then we, as Paul, move from being self-important to someone who prays to God to do the work and then see the great works of God. We have our part, God brings the desired results. He did it for Paul. He will do it for us. Praise our good and loving God! Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.