Acts 9:22

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

Acts 9:22 (KJV)

Context

Acts 9:22 records the immediate aftermath of Saul’s conversion on the road to Damascus. Having encountered the risen Jesus, Saul was baptized and spent several days with the disciples in Damascus (Acts 9:19). He then began proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues, declaring that He is the Son of God (Acts 9:20). The verse captures the result of his early preaching: Saul increased the more in strength and confounded the Jews in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ.

Saul’s increasing strength

The Greek verb rendered “increased in strength” (ἐνεδυναμοῦτο) suggests that Saul was being strengthened more and more. This points to growth in spiritual gifts, knowledge, and boldness rather than physical power. Some manuscripts read “he was more strengthened in the word,” indicating a clearer understanding of Scripture. Saul’s transformation from persecutor to preacher demonstrates the power of God to change a life completely.

Confounding the Jews

The verse says Saul confounded the Jews who dwelt at Damascus. The Greek term means to confuse or baffle. His preaching was so persuasive that it challenged the prevailing beliefs of his hearers. The word rendered “proving” (συμβιβάζων) means to demonstrate by bringing together evidence. Saul’s method involved examining theological evidence and comparing Scripture to show that Jesus is the Messiah.

Proving that Jesus is the Christ

Saul’s central message was that Jesus is the Christ, the Anointed One promised in the Old Testament. The phrase “this is very Christ” emphasizes that Jesus is indeed the long-awaited Messiah. By diligently studying the Scriptures, Saul showed that Jesus fulfilled the Messianic prophecies. His aim was to convince the Jews of the truth of the Gospel through careful argument from the Scriptures.

Application

Acts 9:22 reminds us of the transformative power of the Gospel. Like Saul, we can experience radical change through encountering Jesus Christ. The verse also encourages us to be bold in sharing our faith, even when it challenges established beliefs. We should study the Scriptures diligently and equip ourselves with knowledge to communicate the truth of Christ effectively.

Reflection

Saul’s growth in strength was directly tied to his proclamation of Jesus as the Christ. His powerful preaching soon provoked opposition, as the Jews plotted to kill him (Acts 9:23). Yet the same Lord who strengthened Saul also strengthened him for the trials ahead, just as Paul later testified that Christ strengthened him (1 Timothy 1:12).