Acts 13:10
and said, “You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord?
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This isn't just a colorful insult; Paul is directly contrasting Elymas's whole being with the very nature of God's actions. The phrase "making crooked the straight paths of the Lord" is a pointed accusation, referencing Isaiah's prophecy about preparing God's way, highlighting Elymas's active subversion of God's divine intentions.
While ministering on the island of Cyprus, Paul and Barnabas encounter a sorcerer named Bar-jesus, who opposes their efforts to spread the gospel. When Sergius Paulus, the Roman proconsul, seeks to hear the word of God, Bar-jesus actively tries to prevent him from believing. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Paul confronts the sorcerer directly, denouncing his deceptive nature and his opposition to God's truth.
Ever felt like someone is twisting your words or making things complicated on purpose? Paul calls Elymas 'full of all subtilty and all mischief.' What does that really mean, and how does it apply today?
Paul's accusation against Elymas isn't just a harsh insult; it describes a specific way of operating.
Deceptive Cunning
Readiness for Wickedness
This combination highlights how spiritual opposition often works through sophisticated lies and a practiced inclination towards evil, aiming to confuse and corrupt.
Paul declares Elymas an 'enemy of all righteousness' and accuses him of 'making crooked the straight paths of the Lord.' What does this tell us about God's ways and those who oppose them?
This accusation cuts to the core of Elymas's opposition. It's not just a personal disagreement, but a fundamental conflict with God's nature and plan.
The Straightness of God's Ways
Understand the original words
diabolos · Greek Noun
The supreme adversary of God and humanity, the tempter, and the source of evil, rebellion, and spiritual deception in the world.
dikaiosynē · Greek Noun
Conformity to God’s moral standards and character; it encompasses both internal integrity and external actions that align with God’s holy law.
dolos · Greek Noun
Intentional deception, trickery, or guile; it is the act of presenting falsehood as truth to mislead others.
rhaidiourgia · Greek Noun
An act of moral depravity, wickedness, or the pursuit of illicit gain; it represents a heart that is corrupted and turned against God.
Early 1st century AD
Roman Rule in Cyprus
Cyprus was a Roman province during the time of Paul and Barnabas's visit. The Roman governor, Sergius Paulus, held significant authority, influencing the political and social climate of the island.
Mid-1st century AD
Jewish Diaspora in Cyprus
There was a significant Jewish population in Cyprus, with synagogues present in various cities. This community was a primary focus for early Christian missionaries like Paul and Barnabas.
c. AD 45-47
Paul and Barnabas's First Missionary Journey
Paul and Barnabas embarked on their first major missionary journey, commissioned by the Holy Spirit. This journey included their visit to Cyprus, as recorded in Acts.
c. AD 47— this verse
Encounter with Bar-Jesus (Elymas)
In Paphos, Cyprus, Paul and Barnabas encountered Bar-Jesus, a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet. He actively opposed their ministry and attempted to prevent the Roman proconsul, Sergius Paulus, from believing the message.
c. AD 47
This passage speaks of making crooked paths straight in preparation for the Lord, creating a direct contrast with Elymas who is accused of perverting the 'straight paths of the Lord.'
Matthew 23:15Jesus denounces the scribes and Pharisees, calling them 'hypocrites' and 'children of the devil,' mirroring Paul's accusation of Elymas as a 'child of the devil' and 'full of all deceit.'
John 8:44Jesus describes the devil as a 'murderer' and 'father of lies,' which aligns with Paul's charge to Elymas that he is 'full of all deceit' and an 'enemy of all righteousness.'
1 John 3:8This verse states that the 'devil has been sinning from the beginning' and that 'the Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil,' paralleling Paul's direct confrontation with the devil's work through Elymas.
Romans 11:33This verse exclaims over the 'depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God,' highlighting the divine perfection that Elymas was actively trying to distort and obstruct.
ellicottActs 13:10: "And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?"
(10) Full of all subtilty and all mischief. —The Greek of the second noun is found here only in the New Testament. Its primary meaning expresses simply “ease in working;” but this passed through the several stages of “versatility,” “shiftiness,” and “trickery.” A kindred word is translated in Acts 18:14 as “lewdness…
meyerActs 13:10: "And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?"
Acts 13:10 . Ῥᾳδιουργίας ] knavery, roguery . Polyb. xii. 10. 5, iv. 29. 4; Plut. Cat. m. 16. Comp. ῥᾳδιούργημα , Acts 18:14 . υἱὲ διαβόλου ] i.e. a man whose condition of mind proceeds from the influence of the devil (the arch-enemy of the kingdom of the Messiah). Comp. on John 8:44 . An indignant contrast to the n…
This isn't just a colorful insult; Paul is directly contrasting Elymas's whole being with the very nature of God's actions. The phrase "making crooked the straight paths of the Lord" is a pointed accusation, referencing Isaiah's prophecy about preparing God's way, highlighting Elymas's active subversion of God's divine intentions.
While ministering on the island of Cyprus, Paul and Barnabas encounter a sorcerer named Bar-jesus, who opposes their efforts to spread the gospel. When Sergius Paulus, the Roman proconsul, seeks to hear the word of God, Bar-jesus actively tries to prevent him from believing. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Paul confronts the sorcerer directly, denouncing his deceptive nature and his opposition to God's truth.
While ministering on the island of Cyprus, Paul and Barnabas encounter a sorcerer named Bar-jesus, who opposes their efforts to spread the gospel. When Sergius Paulus, the Roman proconsul, seeks to hear the word of God, Bar-jesus actively tries to prevent him from believing. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Paul confronts the sorcerer directly, denouncing his deceptive nature and his opposition to God's truth.
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The Crookedness of Opposition
A Direct Confrontation
hodos kyriou euthēs · Greek Noun
God’s established ways, commands, and the path of salvation; "straight paths" refers to His clear, honest, and revealed moral and redemptive truth.
Paul's Judgment on Elymas
Filled with the Holy Spirit, Paul rebuked Elymas intensely, calling him a child of the devil and an enemy of righteousness. Paul then struck him blind, leading to the proconsul's conversion and wonder at the teaching of the Lord.
"and said, “You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord?" — This isn't just a colorful insult; Paul is directly contrasting Elymas's whole being with the very nature of God's actions. The phrase "making crooked the straight paths of the Lord" is a pointed acc…
