Did Paul himself strike Elymas blind, or did he leave it to God?
Paul did not personally strike Elymas blind; he turned the matter over to God. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Paul declared that the hand of the Lord was upon him, and God brought the blindness. The text says Paul did nothing but commit it into God's hands, and immediately mist and darkness fell on Elymas.
Les explains that Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, did not respond out of human anger. Instead, he pronounced God's judgment on Elymas, saying, "the hand of the Lord is upon thee," and that he would be physically blind, unable to see the sun for a season. Paul did not personally execute the blindness; he turned it over into God's hands. Immediately, mist and darkness fell on Elymas, and he went about seeking someone to lead him by the hand.
And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.
How did Paul carry out judgment on Elymas?
Filled with the Holy Spirit, Paul fixed his eyes on Elymas, called him a child of the devil, and asked if he would stop perverting the Lord’s ways. Paul turned judgment over to God, declaring the Lord’s hand would blind him for a season; immediately mist and darkness fell, and he sought someone to lead him by the hand.
What did Paul's blinding of Elymas the sorcerer preview about Israel?
Paul’s blinding of Elymas the sorcerer previewed Israel’s opposition to the Gospel going to the Gentiles and God’s response of spiritual blindness on the nation. Just as Elymas was blinded for a season, God set spiritual blindness on Israel for a time—not forever—while believing elect obtained what the nation sought.
More Questions
How long was Elymas blinded?
Elymas was struck with physical blindness, unable to see the sun, not for the rest of his life but for a season, a protracted period of time, not for his whole lifetime.
How long was Elymas the sorcerer blind and was it physical blindness?
The blindness that fell on Elymas was physical—he could not see the sun—and it was only for a season, a protracted period of time, not for the rest of his life.
What happened to Elymas immediately after Paul pronounced blindness on him?
The judgment came immediately: mist and darkness fell on Elymas at once and he went about seeking someone to lead him by the hand.