Why did Elymas oppose Paul and Barnabas in Acts 13?
Elymas opposed Paul and Barnabas because he sought to turn the Roman deputy Sergius Paulus away from the faith. As a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet, he withstood them to prevent the governor from hearing the Word of God and believing, perverting the right ways of the Lord.
Les explains that at Paphos, Paul and Barnabas found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew named Bar-Jesus, also called Elymas. He was with the deputy or governor, the Roman Sergius Paulus, a prudent man who called for Barnabas and Saul and desired to hear the Word of God. Les notes this pattern of Gentiles, by the unction of the Holy Spirit, showing interest in the Word. But Elymas, probably the governor's right-hand man, withstood them, trying to keep Paul and Barnabas from any contact with the Roman governor. He sought to turn away the deputy from the faith. Les points out that Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, set his eyes on him and called him full of all subtlety and mischief, a child of the devil, an enemy of all righteousness, and asked whether he would not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord.
But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.
More Questions
Who was Elymas the sorcerer and what did he do to oppose Paul?
Elymas the sorcerer was a Jew (that is what his name means by interpretation), and he withstood Paul and Barnabas, doing everything he could to keep the Roman deputy from hearing the Word of God from Paul's lips and trying to turn the deputy away from the faith.