Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent, [1886], at sacred-texts.com
Acts Chapter 9
Breathing out (ἐμπνέων)
Lit., breathing upon or at, and so corresponding to against the disciples.
Threatenings and slaughter (ἀπειλῆς καὶ φόνου)
Lit., threatening; so Rev. In the Greek construction, the case in which these words are marks them as the cause or source of the "breathing;" breathing hard out of threatening, and murderous desire.
Of this way (τῆς ὁδοῦ)
Rev., more correctly, "the way." A common expression in the Acts for the Christian religion: "the characteristic direction of life as determined by faith on Jesus Christ" (Meyer). See Act 19:9; Act 22:4; Act 24:22. For the fuller expression of the idea, see Act 16:17; Act 18:25.
Women
Paul three times alludes to his persecution of women as an aggravation of his cruelty (Act 8:3; Act 9:2; Act 22:4).
There shined round about (περιήστραψεν)
Only here and Act 22:6. Flashed. See on Luk 11:36; Luk 24:4.
A light
Saying
In Paul's own account he says that the words were spoken in Hebrew (Act 26:14).
It is hard for thee, etc
Transferred from Act 26:14, and omitted by the best texts.
Trembling and astonished
The best texts omit.
Speechless (ἐνεοί)
Only here in New Testament.
Street (ῥύμην)
See on Luk 14:21. A narrow street or lane.
Straight
So called from its running in a direct line from the eastern to the western gate of the city.
Chosen vessel (σκεῦος ἐκλογῆς)
Lit., an instrument of choice. On vessel, see on Mat 12:29; and on the figure, compare Co2 4:7.
How great things (ὅσα)
Rev., more correctly, how many.
Brother
In Christ.
There fell - scales (ἀπέπεσον - λεπίδες)
Both words occur only here in the New Testament. In Paul's own account of his conversion in ch. 26 he does not mention his blindness: in ch. 22 he mentions both the blindness and the recovery of sight, but not the particular circumstances which Luke records. The mention of the scales, or incrustations, such as are incidental to ophthalmia, is characteristic of the physician, and ἀποπίπτειν, to fall off, was used technically by medical writers of the falling of scales from the skin, and of particles from diseased parts of the body. "We may suppose that Luke had often heard Paul relate how he felt at that moment" (Hackett).
Christ
The correct reading is Jesus, the individual or personal name of the Lord. Christ was not yet current as his personal name. Paul's object was to establish the identity of Jesus the Nazarene with the Messiah.
Destroyed (πορθήσας)
Rather, laid waste, made havoc of, as Rev. Compare Act 8:3. Paul uses the same word in Gal 1:13.
Confounded
See on Act 2:6.
Proving (συμβιβάζων)
The verb means to bring or put together: hence to compare and examine, as evidence, and so to prove. Used in the literal and physical sense in Eph 4:16. In Col 2:2, of being knit together in love. In Co1 2:16, of instructing, building up, by putting together. In this sense the word occurs in the Septuagint. See Leviticus 10:11; Judges 13:8.
The Christ
Note the article. Not a proper name, but an appellative. See on Act 9:20.
To kill
See on Luk 23:32.
Laying await (ἐπιβουλὴ)
So rendered by A. V. wherever it occurs, viz., Act 20:3, Act 20:19; Act 23:30; but properly changed by Rev., in every case, to plot. "Laying await" refers rather to the execution of the plot than to the plot itself.
Watched
See on Mar 3:2. Imperfect: they were or kept watching, day and night.
By the wall (διὰ τοῦ τείχους)
Rev., more accurately, through the wall, as is explained by Co2 11:33. Either through the window of a house overhanging the wall, or through a window in the wall itself opening to houses on its inner side. Hackett says that he observed such windows in the wall at Damascus. On the mode of escape, compare Jos 2:15; Sa1 19:12.
Basket (σπυρίδι)
See on Mat 14:20. In Paul's account of this adventure he uses σαργάνη, a plaited or braided basket of wicker-work; or, as some think, of ropes.
Join himself
See on Act 5:13; and Luk 15:15; and Luk 10:11.
Declared (διηγήσατο)
Related throughout. See on Luk 8:39; and compare on declaration, Luk 1:1.
Had preached boldly (ἐπαῥῤησιάσατο)
See on freely, Act 2:29.
Grecians
Rev., correctly, Grecian Jews. See on Act 6:1.
Went about (ἐπεχείρουν)
Better, attempted : lit., took in hand.
The churches
The best texts read the church; embracing all the different churches throughout the three provinces of Palestine.
Edified
Or built up.
Comfort (παρακλήσει)
From παρακαλέω, call toward or to one's side for help. The word is rendered in the New Testament both exhortation and consolation. Compare Act 13:15; Rom 12:8; Co2 8:17; Heb 12:5; and Luk 2:25 (see note); Th2 2:16; Mat 5:4. In some passages the meaning is disputed, as Phi 2:1, where, as in Co1 14:3, it is joined with παραμύθιον or παραμυθία, the meaning of which also varies between incentive and consolation or assuagement. Here exhortation is the rendering approved by the best authorities, to be construed with was multiplied: was multiplied by the exhortation of the Holy Ghost; i.e., by the Holy Spirit inspiring the preachers, and moving the hearts of the hearers.
Lydda
The Lod of the Old Testament (Ezr 2:33); about a day's journey from Jerusalem.
Eight years
The duration of the malady, and the fact of his having been bedridden for the whole time, are characteristic of the physician's narrative.
Bed
See on Mar 2:4.
Sick of the palsy
Better, as Rev., palsied. See on Luk 5:18.
Jesus Christ
But note the article: Jesus the Christ; the Anointed; Messiah.
Maketh thee whole (ἰᾶταί σε)
Rev., healeth thee. See on Luk 6:19.
Make thy bed (στρῶσον σεαυτῷ)
Lit., strew for thyself. Not, henceforth, but on the spot, as an evidence of restoration.
Saron
Rev., properly, Sharon. Always with the definite article: the plain; extending thirty miles along the sea from Joppa to Caesarea.
Disciple (μαθήτρια)
A feminine form, only here in New Testament.
Tabitha - Dorcas
The latter word being the Greek equivalent of the former, which is Aramaic, and meaning gazelle, which in the East was a favorite type of beauty. See Sol 2:9, Sol 2:17; Sol 4:5; Sol 7:3. It was customary at this time for the Jews to have two names, one Hebrew and the other Greek or Latin; and this would especially be the case in a seaport like Joppa, which was both a Gentile and a Jewish town. She may have been known by both names.
Upper chamber
See on Act 1:13.
That he would not delay (μὴ ὀκνῆσαι)
The best texts read ὀκνήσῃς putting the request in the form of a direct address, Delay not.
To come (διελθεῖν)
Lit., to come through. Rev., come on.
Coats and garments
See on Mat 5:40.
Which (ὅσα)
Lit., as many as.
Made (ἐποίει)
The imperfect: was accustomed to make.