Acts 9:22 Commentary: Study: Saul's Power to Confound the Jews

Damascus was an ancient city of Syria, about 150 miles northeast of Jerusalem, with a large Jewish population and many synagogues. Saul had previously traveled there armed with letters from the high priest to arrest Christians (Acts 9:1-2). His sudden change, from hunter to hunted, would have shocked the Jewish community. The phrase 'increased more in strength' likely covers a period of time after his conversion. Lange distinguishes three phases in Acts 9:19-25: a period of quiet fellowship with disciples (ἡμέραι τινές), then initial public preaching (v.20), then extended ministry (ἡμέραι ἱκαναί) during which he grew in power. The Greek imperfect tense (enedunamouto) suggests ongoing, repeated strengthening; there was no single moment of power but a continual filling. The Jews 'confounded' (sunechunnen) implies not just intellectual defeat but emotional turmoil, they could not reconcile their former ally with his new message. 'Proving' (sumbibazōn) means putting evidence side by side; Saul likely used the same scriptural training he had received from Gamaliel, now turned toward a new subject: Jesus as the fulfillment of prophecy. The cross-references (Luke 24:44-45; Acts 6:9) show that this method of scriptural reasoning was characteristic of early Christian preaching. The historical irony is profound: the zealous Pharisee now used his deep knowledge of Torah and Prophets to argue that the crucified Nazarene was Israel’s Messiah, leaving his former associates without reply.

The consulted sources note no significant textual variants for Acts 9:22. The Greek text is stable across the major traditions. Some manuscripts read the verb ἐνεδυναμοῦτο without variant; a few later copyists may have harmonized the word order, but the meaning is unaffected. The reading 'very Christ' in the KJV adds an English intensifier not present in the Greek (ὁ χριστός simply means 'the Christ').

This verse has been read throughout church history as a powerful testimony to the reality of conversion and the efficacy of Scripture in apologetics. Early church writers (e.g., Chrysostom) used it to illustrate that the persecutor became the persecuted, and that God's grace can transform the most hostile heart. During the Reformation, Calvin pointed to Saul's scriptural reasoning as a model for pastors: 'he was armed with the word of God to maintain the truth.' In later centuries, the verse has been cited in sermons on spiritual growth (they go from strength to strength, Psalm 84:7) and as evidence that apostolic preaching was grounded in prophetic fulfillment. Contemporary use often focuses on the radical reversal that only the grace of God can accomplish.

Three-point outline

1. Strength from the Spirit: Saul's empowerment did not come from human effort but from the Holy Spirit working through Scripture. His past violence gave way to divine energy.
2. Confounding through the Word: The verb 'confounded' (συνέχυννεν) indicates both intellectual defeat and emotional agitation. The Jews were silenced, then enraged, a pattern seen wherever truth confronts unbelief.
3. Proving the Christ: Paul 'put together' (συμβιβάζων) the Old Testament witness with Jesus’ life, showing that He is the Messiah (with the definite article: the Christ, the Anointed One).

Five-point outline

1. Conversion creates capacity: Saul’s encounter with Christ unlocked his mind to understand Scripture (cf. Luke 24:45).
2. Strength is continuous: The imperfect tense (ἐνεδυναμοῦτο) shows ongoing strengthening, growth in grace is daily.
3. Argument with love: Saul confounded, but his aim was not personal victory; it was the demonstration of truth (Calvin: 'the Spirit gave him power').
4. Scripture as sword: He wielded the Word with precision, proving from prophecy that Jesus is the Messiah.
5. Opposition confirms the message: The Jews' confusion and eventual murder plot (v.23) show that the gospel had power; they could not ignore it.

Illustration hooks

• A courtroom lawyer who once prosecuted a case now defends the opposite side with even greater skill, former zeal redirected.
• A person long skeptical of Christianity, after conversion, becomes the most articulate apologist among friends.
• The experience of learning a new language: at first halting, then growing fluent until you can debate in it. Saul learned to speak the language of grace in synagogues he once terrorized.

Questions your congregation is asking

• How can I be sure my own faith is growing and not just staying the same?
• What does it mean to 'confound' people today, is it about winning arguments or winning hearts?
• Can a person with a violent or aggressive past truly change, and how long does that take?

This passage shows the immediate fruit of Saul's conversion: he not only stopped persecuting the church, he began building it up by persuading others. The same man who had come to Damascus to arrest believers now confounded the Jews with scriptural proof that Jesus is the Christ. This transformation raises deep questions about how God uses our past training and present weakness to advance His purpose.

Discussion questions

1. Read Acts 9:1-22. What contrasts do you see between Saul the persecutor and Saul the preacher?
2. The Greek verb enedunamouto means 'was being empowered' in the imperfect tense. Why does this continuous action matter for our understanding of spiritual growth?
3. How did Saul's education under Gamaliel and his knowledge of the Old Testament prepare him for this ministry? What skills or knowledge has God given you that He might use for His purposes?
4. The word 'confounded' (συνέχυννεν) can mean both 'to confuse intellectually' and 'to stir up a tumult.' How do these two senses together describe the effect of the gospel when it confronts unbelief?
5. Saul proved Jesus is the Christ by 'putting together' (συμβιβάζων) the Scriptures. How can we use Scripture in a similar way to demonstrate the truth of Christ today?
6. Why did the Jews eventually plot to kill Saul (v.23) instead of being convinced? What does this tell us about human responses to clear evidence?
7. In what ways has your own life shown 'increasing strength' in faith or witness? What helps you grow stronger over time?