Bible Strands
Acts 8:23
For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and captive to iniquity.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Peter speaks to Simon Magus immediately after commanding him to repent and pray for forgiveness for attempting to buy spiritual power. The rebuke occurs in the moment Simon reacts with fear rather than genuine contrition.
The words — Peter uses χολὴν πικρίας (cholēn pikrias, “gall of bitterness”) and σὺνδεσμὸν ἀδικίας (syndesmon adikias, “bond of iniquity”) to diagnose Simon’s condition. These terms literally describe a state of toxic resentment and binding sin.
The thread — The depiction of sin as entrapment runs through Proverbs 5:22, where iniquities entangle a wicked man, and John 8:34, where Jesus states everyone who sins is a slave to sin. The imagery of breaking chains also parallels Isaiah 58:6.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to confront their actual spiritual bondage before seeking any remedy. It demands the abandonment of transactional religion and the acceptance of divine correction.
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
For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 5:22 The iniquities of a wicked man entrap him; the cords of his sin entangle him.
- Isaiah 58:6 Isn’t this the fast that I have chosen: to break the chains of wickedness, to untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and tear off every yoke?
- John 8:34 Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.
- Hebrews 12:15 See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God, and that no root of bitterness springs up to cause trouble and defile many.
- Isaiah 28:22 So now, do not mock, or your shackles will become heavier. Indeed, I have heard from the Lord GOD of Hosts a decree of destruction against the whole land.
- Titus 3:3 For at one time we too were foolish, disobedient, misled, and enslaved to all sorts of desires and pleasures—living in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.
- Deuteronomy 29:18 Make sure there is no man or woman, clan or tribe among you today whose heart turns away from the LORD our God to go and worship the gods of those nations. Make sure there is no root among you that bears such poisonous and bitter fruit,
- Deuteronomy 32:32 But their vine is from the vine of Sodom and from the fields of Gomorrah. Their grapes are poisonous; their clusters are bitter.
- Psalms 116:16 Truly, O LORD, I am Your servant; I am Your servant, the son of Your maidservant; You have broken my bonds.
- Jeremiah 4:18 “Your ways and deeds have brought this upon you. This is your punishment; how bitter it is, because it pierces to the heart!”