Elymas, also known as Bar-Jesus, is a figure mentioned in the New Testament in the Book of Acts. His story is primarily found in Acts 13:6-12, where he is depicted as a sorcerer and false prophet who opposed the early Christian missionaries, Paul and Barnabas, during their first missionary journey.

Biblical Account:

Elymas is introduced in Acts 13:6-7: "They traveled through the whole island as far as Paphos, where they found a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, who was an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God."

Elymas, whose name means "wise" or "sorcerer," was a Jewish magician who served as an advisor to Sergius Paulus, the Roman proconsul of Cyprus. Despite his Jewish heritage, Elymas engaged in practices that were contrary to Jewish law, such as sorcery and false prophecy. His opposition to the Gospel message presented by Paul and Barnabas highlights the spiritual conflict between the early Christian movement and existing religious and philosophical systems.

Confrontation with Paul:

The confrontation between Elymas and Paul is a significant moment in the narrative. Acts 13:8-11 describes the encounter: "But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked directly at Elymas and said, 'You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right. You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind, and for a time you will be unable to see the light of the sun.' Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand."

Paul's rebuke of Elymas is direct and severe, identifying him as a "child of the devil" and an "enemy of everything that is right." This confrontation underscores the authority of the apostolic message and the power of the Holy Spirit working through Paul. The temporary blindness inflicted upon Elymas serves as both a judgment and a sign, demonstrating the superiority of the Gospel over the deceptive practices of sorcery.

Impact on Sergius Paulus:

The outcome of this encounter is significant for the spread of Christianity. Acts 13:12 records the proconsul's response: "When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord." Sergius Paulus's conversion is a testament to the power of the Gospel to overcome opposition and transform lives, even among the Roman elite.

Theological Significance:

Elymas's story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of opposing God's work and the futility of relying on human wisdom and deceit. It highlights the spiritual warfare faced by the early Church and the triumph of divine truth over falsehood. The account also emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit in empowering believers to confront and overcome spiritual adversaries.

In summary, Elymas (Bar-Jesus) is a biblical figure whose opposition to the Gospel is met with divine judgment, resulting in the advancement of the Christian message and the conversion of a Roman official. His story is a reminder of the transformative power of the Gospel and the authority of God's messengers.Acts 13:6-11
And when they had gone through the isle to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus:
Nave's Topical Index

Acts xiii. 4, 5
... are no right judgments; those that minister to their ... most susceptible to the influence
of Christian truth, and in ... implies a divine judgment upon Elymas as does ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxviii acts xiii 4.htm

To the Regions Beyond
... and they had also John to their minister.6. And ... to hear the word of God.8. But Elymas
the sorcerer ... To go forth on even Christian service, unrecognised by the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/to the regions beyond.htm

Heralds of the Gospel
... Mark's mother was a convert to the Christian religion, and her ... Elymas was not a man
of education, yet he was ... It is the duty of the minister of Christ to stand ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 17 heralds of the.htm

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