Acts Chapter 8 verse 23 Holy Bible
For I see that thou art in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.
read chapter 8 in ASV
For I see that you are prisoned in bitter envy and the chains of sin.
read chapter 8 in BBE
for I see thee to be in the gall of bitterness, and bond of unrighteousness.
read chapter 8 in DARBY
For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.
read chapter 8 in KJV
read chapter 8 in WBT
For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity."
read chapter 8 in WEB
for in the gall of bitterness, and bond of unrighteousness, I perceive thee being.'
read chapter 8 in YLT
Pulpit Commentary
Pulpit CommentaryVerse 23. - See for perceive, A.V. In the gall of bitterness, etc. The passage from which both this expression and the similar one in Hebrews 12:15 are taken is manifestly Deuteronomy 29:18, where the Greek of the LXX. has, ῤίζα ἄνω φύουσα ἐν χολῇ καὶ πικρίᾳ. The context there also shows conclusively that the "gall and bitterness" ("wormwood," A.V.) of which Moses speaks is the spirit of idolatry or defection from God springing up in some professing member of the Church, and defiling and corrupting others, as it is expounded in Hebrews 12:15, 16. This, as St. Peter saw, was exactly the case with Simon, whose heart was not straight with God, but "had turned away from him," as it is said in Deuteronomy. Though baptized, he was still an idolater in heart, and likely to trouble many. "The gall of bitterness" is the same as "gall and wormwood," or "bitterness." "Gall," or "bile," is in classical Greek and other languages a synonym for "bitterness," especially in a figurative sense (see Lamentations 3:15, 19 - πικρία καὶ χολή, LXX.). The uncommon phrase, the bond of iniquity, seems to be borrowed from Isaiah 58:6, where the LXX. have the same words, λύε πὰντα σύνδεσμον ἀδικίας, "loose the bands of wickedness," A.V. Simon was still bound in these bands.
Ellicott's Commentary
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(23) In the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.--On "gall," in its literal sense, see Note on Matthew 27:34. This is the only passage in the New Testament in which it is used figuratively. "Bitterness" meets us, as expressing extreme moral depravity, in Romans 3:14, Ephesians 4:31, Hebrews 12:15. The latter phrase implies that the iniquity of Simon bound him as with the iron chains of a habit from which he could not free himself.
