Bible Strands
Acts 13:7
an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, a man of intelligence, summoned Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Luke narrates this moment as Barnabas and Saul reach Paphos after encountering a Jewish sorcerer. The focus shifts to the Roman official Sergius Paulus, who summons the missionaries to hear divine instruction.
The words — The Greek ἀνθυπὶτῳ (anthupatō) identifies a proconsul, a senior Roman provincial governor. The text explicitly notes Sergius Paulus is a man of intelligence who initiates the meeting to hear the word of God.
The thread — The office reappears in Acts 19:38 regarding available Roman legal channels, while Acts 13:12 records this same proconsul believing after witnessing the apostolic sign. His deliberate search for divine instruction aligns with the discerning ear described in Proverbs 18:15.
Why it lands — The passage requires readers to acknowledge that political authority can actively pursue spiritual truth rather than automatically resist it. It demands a direct response to the gospel when summoned by those in governing positions.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.
Cross-references
- Acts 13:12 When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was astonished at the teaching about the Lord.
- Acts 19:38 So if Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a complaint against anyone, the courts are open and proconsuls are available. Let them bring charges against one another there.
- Proverbs 18:15 The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it out.
- Acts 18:12 While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews coordinated an attack on Paul and brought him before the judgment seat.
- Acts 13:8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith.
- Proverbs 14:8 The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools deceives them.
- Proverbs 14:15 The simple man believes every word, but the prudent man watches his steps.
- Proverbs 14:18 The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
- Hosea 14:9 Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them. For the ways of the LORD are right, and the righteous walk in them but the rebellious stumble in them.
- Acts 17:11 Now the Bereans were more noble-minded than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true.