Albert Barnes Commentary Acts 9:22

"But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews that dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is the Christ." — Acts 9:22 (ASV)

Increased the more in strength. His conviction of the truth of the Christian religion became stronger every day. Therefore his moral strength or boldness increased.

And confounded. See Acts 2:6. The word here means confuted. It also means, occasionally, to produce a tumult or excitement, Acts 19:32; Acts 21:31. Perhaps the idea of producing such a tumult is intended to be conveyed here; Paul confuted the Jews, and by doing so, he caused their tumultuous proceedings, or he so enraged them as to lead to great agitation and excitement. A very common effect of close and conclusive argumentation.

Proving that this. This Jesus.

Is very Christ. Greek: that this is the Christ. The word very means here simply the. Greek: o cristov. It means that Paul showed, by strong and satisfactory arguments, that Jesus of Nazareth was the true Messiah. The arguments which he would use may be easily conceived, but the evangelist has not seen fit to record them.