Acts 8:23

Verse Acts 8:23. The gall of bitterness] A Hebraism for excessive bitterness: gall, wormwood, and such like, were used to express the dreadful effects of sin in the soul; the bitter repentance, bitter regret, bitter sufferings, bitter death, c., c., which it produces. In Deuteronomy 29:18, idolatry and its consequences are expressed, by having among them a root that beareth GALL and WORMWOOD. And in Hebrews 12:15, some grievous sin is intended, when the apostle warns them, lest any root of BITTERNESS springing up, trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.

Bond of iniquity.] An allusion to the mode in which the Romans secured their prisoners, chaining the right hand of the prisoner to the left hand of the soldier who guarded him as if the apostle had said, Thou art tied and bound by the chain of thy sin justice hath laid hold upon thee, and thou hast only a short respite before thy execution, to see if thou wilt repent.