Divine Power and Opposition
Acts 13:6–12 (NASB95)
6When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they found a magician, a Jewish false prophet whose name was Bar-Jesus, 7who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence. This man summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. 8But Elymas the magician (for so his name is translated) was opposing them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. 9But Saul, who was also known as Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fixed his gaze on him, 10and said, “You who are full of all deceit and fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to make crooked the straight ways of the Lord? 11“Now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and not see the sun for a time.” And immediately a mist and a darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking those who would lead him by the hand. 12Then the proconsul believed when he saw what had happened, being amazed at the teaching of the Lord.
In this portion of the narrative, Paul and Barnabas continue their mission in Cyprus, arriving at Paphos—a vibrant center where the influence of pagan temples and Roman administration creates a backdrop for a dramatic spiritual encounter. In the governor’s court, their message meets unexpected opposition from a Jewish sorcerer known as Elymas Bar-Jesus. This man, functioning as a false prophet and embodying the persistent allure of deceptive magical practices, seeks to mislead Sergius Paulus, the Roman proconsul, and divert him from the truth of the Gospel. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, Paul confronts Elymas with a bold, divinely inspired rebuke that results in the sorcerer’s temporary blindness. This supernatural display leaves the proconsul astonished and receptive to the teachings they bring, thereby paving the way for a remarkable turning of hearts and establishing a powerful testimony of God’s transformative authority. The confrontation clearly illustrates the stark divide between the fruitless practices of magic and the genuine, life-changing power of Jesus manifested through His servants.
This passage calls us to be vigilant in discerning and confronting false teachings and deceptions today. Just as Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, boldly opposed Elymas, we, too, must rely on God's guidance and power to tackle ideological and spiritual barriers that threaten to distort the message of the Gospel. Let us cultivate hearts that are sensitive to His leading and remain steadfast in our commitment to truth. When our community faces competing voices—whether in cultural trends, alternative spiritualities, or misinformation—we must stand firm in the authentic message of Jesus. May our witness, grounded in prayer and the power of His Word, open hearts and draw others to the life-transforming salvation that only He can provide.