Albert Barnes Commentary Acts 9:19

"and he took food and was strengthened. And he was certain days with the disciples that were at Damascus." — Acts 9:19 (ASV)

Had received meat. Food. The word meat has undergone a change since our translation was made. It then meant, as the original does, food of all kinds.

With the disciples. With Christians. .

Certain days. How long is not known. It was long enough, however, to preach the gospel (Acts 9:22; Acts 26:20). It might have been for some months, as he did not go to Jerusalem within three years from that time. He remained some time at Damascus, and then went to Arabia, and then returned again to Damascus, and then went to Jerusalem (Galatians 1:17). Luke has omitted this visit to Arabia, but there is no contradiction. He does not affirm that Paul did not go to Arabia.

We have now passed through the account of one of the most remarkable conversions to Christianity that has ever occurred—that of the apostle Paul. This conversion has always been justly considered as a strong proof of the Christian religion. For,

1. This change could not have occurred due to any event offering good prospects of honor. He was already distinguished as a Jew. He had received the best educational opportunities the nation afforded. He had every prospect of rising to distinction and office.
2. It could not have been produced by any prospect of wealth or fame gained by becoming a Christian. Christians were poor, and to be a Christian then was to be exposed to contempt, persecution, and death. Saul had no reason to suppose that he would escape the common lot of Christians.
3. He was as firmly opposed to Christianity before his conversion as possible. He had already distinguished himself by his hostility. Infidels often say that Christians are prejudiced in favor of their religion. But here was a man who was, at first, a bitter infidel and foe to Christianity. All the prejudices of his education and prospects, all his former views and feelings, were opposed to the gospel of Christ. He became, however, one of its most firm advocates and friends, and it is for infidels to account for this change. There must have been some cause, some motive for it; and is there anything more rational than the supposition that Saul was convinced in a most striking and wonderful manner of the truth of Christianity?
4. His subsequent life showed that his change was sincere and real. He encountered danger and persecution to demonstrate his attachment to Christ. He went from land to land, exposing himself to every danger and every form of obloquy and scorn, always rejoicing that he was a Christian and was permitted to suffer as a Christian. He thus gave the highest proofs of his sincerity. If these sufferings and the life of Paul were not evidences of sincerity, then it would be impossible to identify any circumstances in a person's life that would furnish proof that they were not a deceiver.
5. If Paul was sincere—if this conversion was genuine—the Christian religion is true. Nothing but a religion from heaven could produce this change. Here, therefore, is the independent testimony of a man who was once a persecutor, converted not by the preaching of the apostles but changed in a wonderful manner. His whole life, views, and feelings were revolutionized, and all his subsequent days demonstrated the sincerity of his feelings and the reality of the change. He is just such a witness as infidels ought to be satisfied with: one whose testimony cannot be impeached, who had no selfish motives, and who was willing to step forward anywhere and avow his change of feeling and purpose. We present him as such a witness, and infidels are bound to reckon with his testimony or to embrace the religion he embraced.
6. The example of Saul does not stand alone. Hundreds and thousands of enemies, persecutors, and slanderers have been changed, and each one becomes a living witness to the power and truth of the Christian religion. The scoffer becomes reverent; the profane man learns to speak the praise of God; the sullen, bitter foe of Christ becomes His friend and lives and dies under the influence of His religion. Could better proof be asked that this religion is from God?