Matthew Henry Commentary Acts 13:4-13

"So they, being sent forth by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus. And when they were at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John as their attendant. And when they had gone through the whole island unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-jesus; who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of understanding. The same called unto him Barnabas and Saul, and sought to hear the word of God. But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn aside the proconsul from the faith. But Saul, who is also [called] Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fastened his eyes on him, and said, O full of all guile and all villany, thou son of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand. Then the proconsul, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord. Now Paul and his company set sail from Paphos, and came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departed from them and returned to Jerusalem." — Acts 13:4-13 (ASV)

Satan is in a particular way busy with great men and men in power, to keep them from being religious, for their example will influence many.

Saul is here for the first time called Paul, and never after Saul. Saul was his name as he was a Hebrew; Paul was his name as he was a citizen of Rome. Under the direct influence of the Holy Ghost, Paul gave Elymas his true character, but not in passion.

A fullness of deceit and mischief together truly makes a person a child of the devil. Those who are enemies of the doctrine of Jesus are also enemies of all righteousness, for in it all righteousness is fulfilled.

The ways of the Lord Jesus are the only right ways to heaven and happiness. There are many who not only wander from these ways themselves, but also set others against these ways.

They are commonly so hardened that they will not cease to do evil. In contrast, the proconsul was astonished at the force of the doctrine upon his own heart and conscience, and at the power of God by which it was confirmed.

The doctrine of Christ astonishes; and the more we know of it, the more reason we will see to wonder at it.

Those who put their hand to the plow and look back are not fit for the kingdom of God.

Those who are not prepared to face opposition and to endure hardship are not fit for the work of the ministry.