Bible Strands
Acts 9:22
But Saul was empowered all the more, and he confounded the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Saul acts toward the Jewish residents of Damascus immediately after their astonishment at his conversion and just before their conspiracy to assassinate him.
The words — ἐνεδυναμοῦτο (enedunamouto) literally means “was being empowered,” and συνέχυννεν (sunechunnen) translates as “was confounding” or “was confusing.”
The thread — Divine strengthening appears in Isaiah 40:29, granted speech that adversaries cannot contradict is noted in Luke 21:15, and Paul’s ongoing testimony to Jewish audiences is recorded in Acts 18:5.
Why it lands — The text records that Saul’s persuasive success depended on God’s imparted strength, requiring the reader to rely on that same divine empowerment rather than personal ability when defending the faith.
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
But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.
Cross-references
- Acts 18:5 And when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself fully to the word, testifying to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ.
- Isaiah 40:29 He gives power to the faint and increases the strength of the weak.
- Luke 21:15 For I will give you speech and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.
- Acts 18:27 When Apollos resolved to cross over to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. On his arrival, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed.
- 1 Corinthians 1:27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.
- Acts 6:9 But resistance arose from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, including Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and men from the provinces of Cilicia and Asia. They disputed with Stephen,
- Acts 28:23 So they set a day to meet with Paul, and many people came to the place he was staying. He expounded to them from morning to evening, testifying about the kingdom of God and persuading them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and the Prophets.
- Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
- Job 17:9 Yet a righteous one holds to his way, and the one with clean hands grows stronger.
- Psalms 84:7 They go from strength to strength, until each appears before God in Zion.