Acts 9:22

 Acts 9:22 

But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.

a. ASV: But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews that dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.

   

b. YLT: And Saul was still more strengthened, and he was confounding the Jews dwelling in Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.

 

d. Amplified Bible Classic: But Saul increased all the more in strength, and continued to confound and put to confusion the Jews who lived in Damascus by comparing andexamining evidence and proving that Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah).

 

1. “But Saul increased the more in strength…”

a. But [Strong: 1161 dé, deh; a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:—also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).]

 

b. Saul [Strong: 4569 Saûlos, sow'-los; of Hebrew origin, the same as G4549; Saulus (i.e. Shaul), the Jewish name of Paul:—Saul.]

 

c. increased...in strength [Strong: 1743 endynamóō, en-doo-nam-o'-o; from G1722 and G1412; to empower:—enable, (increase in) strength(-en), be (make) strong.]

 

d. [the] more [Strong: 3123 mâllon, mal'-lon; neuter of the comparative of the same as G3122; (adverbially) more (in a greater degree)) or rather:—+ better, × far, (the) more (and more), (so) much (the more), rather.]

 

2.  “...and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus…”

a. and [Strong: 2532 kaí, kahee; apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:—and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

 

b. confounded [Strong: 4797 synchéō, soong-kheh'-o; from G4862 and χέω chéō (to pour) or its alternate; to commingle promiscuously, i.e. (figuratively) to throw (an assembly) into disorder, to perplex (the mind):—confound, confuse, stir up, be in an uproar.]

 

c. the  [Strong: 3588 ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.]

 

d. Jews [Strong: 2453 Ioudaîos, ee-oo-dah'-yos; from G2448 (in the sense of G2455 as a country); Judæan, i.e. belonging to Jehudah:—Jew(-ess), of Judæa.]

 

e. which [Strong: 3588 ho, ho; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):—the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.]

   

g. dwelt [Strong: 2730 katoikéō, kat-oy-keh'-o; from G2596 and G3611; to house permanently, i.e. reside (literally or figuratively):—dwell(-er), inhabitant(-ter).]

 

h. at [Strong: 1722 en, en; a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between G1519 and G1537); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:—about, after, against, + almost, × altogether, among, × as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), × mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, × outwardly, one, × quickly, × shortly, (speedi-)ly, × that, × there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.]

 

i.  Damascus [Strong: 1154 Damaskós, dam-as-kos'; of Hebrew origin (H1834); Damascus, a city of Syria:—Damascus.]

   

3. “...proving that this is very Christ.” 

a. proving [Strong: 4822 symbibázō, soom-bib-ad'-zo; from G4862 and βιβάζω bibázō (to force; causative (by reduplication) of the base of G939); to drive together, i.e. unite (in association or affection), (mentally) to infer, show, teach:—compact, assuredly gather, intrust, knit together, prove.]

 

b. that [Strong: 3754 hóti, hot'-ee; neuter of G3748 as conjunction; demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because:—as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.]

 

c. this [Strong: 3778 hoûtos, hoo'-tos; from the article G3588 and G846; the he (she or it), i.e. this or that (often with article repeated):—he (it was that), hereof, it, she, such as, the same, these, they, this (man, same, woman), which, who.]

 

d. is [Strong: 2076 estí, es-tee'; third person singular present indicative of G1510; he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are:—are, be(-long), call, X can(-not), come, consisteth, × dure for a while, + follow, × have, (that) is (to say), make, meaneth, × must needs, + profit, + remaineth, + wrestle.]

 

e. [Strong: 3588 ho, ho; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):—the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.]

   

g. [very] Christ [Strong: 5547 Christós, khris-tos'; from G5548; anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus:—Christ.]

1). The trip into Arabia should be inserted between Acts 9:22 and Acts 9:23. The phrase  “after many days were fulfilled”, in Acts 9:23 compares with the three years of Saul being in Damascus. The three years clearly takes place AFTER Paul returns back to Damascus.

a). Galatians 1:17, 18 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.

1:18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.

2). Note also the comparison in 1 Kings where “many days” is “three years.”

a). 1 Kings 2:38, 39 And Shimei said unto the king, The saying is good: as my lord the king hath said, so will thy servant do. And Shemei dwelt in Jerusalem many days.

2:39 And it came to pass at the end of three years, that two of the servants of Shimei ran unto Achish son of Maachah king of Gath. And they told Shieei, saying, Behold, they servants be in Gath.