Acts 8:23

For. see that thou art in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.

'I SEE'-Even non-miraculous insight could tell that Simon's motives weren't pure. (Matthew 15:18 'But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart..').

'GALL OF BITTERNESS'-5521. chole khol-ay'; feminine of an equivalent perhaps akin to the same as 5514 (from the greenish hue); "gall" or bile, i.e. (by analogy) poison or an anodyne (wormwood, poppy, etc.): -gall.

-'poisoned with envy' (Nor); 'turning to bitter poison' (Beck)

'BOND OF INIQUITY'-'slave of wrong-doing' (Nor); 'being chained by wickedness' (Beck); 'a man bitter with jealousy and bound with his own sin' (Phi).

These words infer: (a) Peter believed that Simon could lose his salvation. (b) And this not only applies to Simon, but to all who lapse back into sin (2 Peter 2:20). (c) It suggests that sin is progressive, and that one can't 'dabble' in sin, but that sin eventually overcomes all who don't correct the misconceptions, wrong motives, etc..in their hearts. (d) Sin doesn't offer freedom, it only offers bondage (John 8:34).

The lesson is clear, as long as we refuse to adopt God's way of thinking (1 Peter 4:8; 1 Peter 2:3), we will fail.

Point to Note:

In contrast to those today who insist that any negative admonitions or rebuke, are not manifestations of the "love" taught by Jesus. Be impressed that Peter was very stern and pointed with this new convert.