Proconsul

Roman Proconsul

ACTS 13 COMMENTARY ◄
Acts 13:6 False Prophet

Acts 13:7-12 Proconsul

Acts 13:13-16 Perga

ACTS 13:7 7 who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This man called for Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God.

What is a "proconsul" (Acts 13:7)?
ανθυπατω (anthupato), the original word translated "proconsul," meant the civilian governor of a senatorial Roman province. The Roman Empire had two types of provinces: imperial provinces governed by a legate appointed by the emperor, and senatorial provinces governed by a proconsul appointed by the Roman Senate. As the Roman Empire expanded, newly-conquered territory started out as imperial provinces, and the legates who governed them were Roman generals in command of Roman legions (see When was Jesus born?). After an imperial province became pacified and stable, it was re-designated a senatorial province and transferred to a proconsul, who was a civilian. The legate-governed imperial provinces comprised the expanding outer ring of the Roman Empire, while the proconsul-governed senatorial provinces comprised its inner core. Cyprus became re-designated a senatorial province in 22 AD, and "proconsul, Sergius Paulus" (Acts 13:7) was a civilian.

ACTS 13:8-10 8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so his name is translated) withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. 9 Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him 10 and said, “O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord?

Who was with the proconsul?
A "sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew whose name was Bar-Jesus" (Acts 13:6), translated "Elymas" (Acts 13:8), who was "full of all deceit and all fraud" (Acts 13:10), a "son of the devil" (Acts 13:10), and the "enemy of all righteousness" (Acts 13:10).

Why was Paul so harsh with Elymas?
Paul was "filled with the Holy Spirit" (Acts 13:9), who warns people about and condemns false prophets who are "perverting the straight ways of the Lord" (Acts 13:10) and "seeking to turn the proconsul [or anyone else] away from the faith" (Acts 13:8).

What should Holy Spirit-filled Christians today say to false prophets, especially in front of the people being led astray by them?

ACTS 13:11-12 11 And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time.” And immediately a dark mist fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand. 12 Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had been done, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.

What impact did "the hand of the Lord" (Acts 13:11) have on Elymas?
It exposed someone leading others astray as a spiritually blind false prophet who needs "someone to lead him by the hand" (Acts 13:11).

Was Elymas made permanently blind?
No, only "for a time" (Acts 13:11), but long enough to shut him up and for the proconsul to be converted.

What astonished the proconsul?
He was "astonished at the teaching of the Lord" (Acts 13:12), which the display of the Lord's power validated.