Acts 13:9-10 from the International Bible Lessons by L.G. Parkhurst, Jr. (formerly Oklahoman Bible Lessons)

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Who Is a Child of the Devil?

Parkhurst Bible Lesson
Acts 13:1-12
Sunday, October 26, 2008

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International Sunday School Lesson
Sunday October 26, 2008
Acts 13:1-12

“But Saul, also known as Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him [Elymas] 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?'" (Acts 13:9-10—NRSV).

“Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him, 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 13:9-10—KJV).

We seldom hear Christian leaders confronting and calling people the names Paul used when responding to Elymas, a magician and false prophet who called himself “Bar-Jesus,” which means “Son of Jesus.” Though such serious accusations are rare in the Bible, Jesus himself said to some of those who opposed the Good News, “You are from your father the devil, and you choose to do your father's desires” (John 8:44). Paul’s words mirror Jesus’ understanding of why some oppose the gospel.

One goal for all believers is “speaking the truth in love” (see Ephesians 4:14-27). Jesus and Paul could only have spoken these sharp words “in love” as the Holy Spirit filled them. Another goal is the prayerful hope that such accusations will influence sensitive listeners to repent of their sins and come to faith in God. After saying these harsh words to Elymas, Paul probably blinded him in the hope that just as Jesus temporarily blinded him, so that he later came to believe in Jesus, perhaps Elymas’ blindness might lead him to reflect and come to saving faith too.

Neither Jesus nor Paul spoke harshly when responding to personal persecutors. They strongly opposed “sons of the devil” because they made it difficult for people to think things through to faith in the way of salvation. “Sons of the devil” make crooked the straight path to God, because they are enemies of the righteousness that comes through true faith and love in Jesus Christ.

© Copyright 2008 by L.G. Parkhurst, Jr.

You may be reprint or reproduce this Parkhurst Bible Lesson for not-for-profit use.

Questions for Further Thought
or Class Discussion

International Sunday School Lesson
Sunday October 26, 2008
Acts 13:1-12

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Think about your answers to the questions below before your Sunday school class meets, discuss in class, or use for further study. In some cases, I do not always write the questions to have a definitive right or wrong answer. In most cases, the questions should encourage everyone to think about how to apply biblical truths to their daily lives. Before beginning to answer the questions below, read the entire Scripture lesson in your favorite translation or compare translations. Write your thoughts in the space provided and take them to your Sunday school class for discussion.

1. Do you agree with or disagree with the principle of using such strong terms, as the words Paul used when confronting Elymas, when confronting those who are trying to mislead others away from true faith in Christ? Give reasons for your answers.

2. Why do you think Luke emphasized the fact that Paul was filled with the Holy Spirit before and as he said these things to Elymas?

3. What difference can the Holy Spirit make if we need to confront someone as Paul confronted Elymas? What holy character traits will the Holy Spirit give us if we need to make such a confrontation?

4. What was the result in the life of Sergius Paulus, the proconsul, after he saw the effect of Paul’s words on Elymas?

5. What are some ways the devil uses his children to try to lead people away from following Jesus Christ and His way of salvation? When the devil’s children become active members in a church, why is it more difficult to deal with them in the church? How should they be dealt with in the church?

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