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Elymas

biblical_person theological_term standard

Elymas was a Jewish magician and false prophet who opposed Paul and Barnabas on Cyprus in Acts 13.

At a Glance

A biblical person in Acts 13 who tried to turn the proconsul Sergius Paulus away from the faith and was struck blind by divine judgment.

Key Points

Description

Elymas is the name used in Acts 13:6–12 for a Jewish magician and false prophet, also identified as Bar-Jesus. He opposed Paul and Barnabas as they preached to Sergius Paulus, the Roman proconsul on Cyprus, and attempted to turn the proconsul away from the faith. In response, Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, pronounced divine judgment, and Elymas was struck blind for a time. The episode underscores the conflict between the gospel and spiritual deception, and it confirms God's authority in vindicating the apostolic message. Elymas should be treated as a biblical person rather than as a doctrinal category.

Biblical Context

Acts presents Elymas in the context of the early mission work of Paul and Barnabas. His opposition becomes the occasion for a public demonstration of apostolic authority and a warning against resisting the gospel.

Historical Context

The setting is Cyprus under Roman administration, where Sergius Paulus served as proconsul. The narrative reflects the wider world of itinerant religion, magic, and court influence in the eastern Roman provinces.

Jewish and Ancient Context

Luke identifies Elymas as a Jew, showing that false prophecy and occult practices were not limited to the Gentile world. The text also notes his alternate name, Bar-Jesus, though the exact relationship between the names is not fully explained in the passage.

Primary Key Texts

Secondary Key Texts

Original Language Note

The name appears in Greek as Elymas, while the passage also calls him Bar-Jesus. The precise origin of the name Elymas is uncertain, so interpretations should remain cautious.

Theological Significance

Elymas illustrates that spiritual opposition can accompany gospel advance, but it also shows that God can expose deception and confirm apostolic witness. The episode supports the authority of the Spirit-led mission in Acts without encouraging sensationalism.

Philosophical Explanation

The narrative contrasts truth and deception, showing that religious influence does not equal truth. Power in the passage is measured not by status or skill but by fidelity to God’s revealed message.

Interpretive Cautions

Do not build a general doctrine of miracles or spiritual warfare from this episode alone. The text is descriptive of a specific apostolic encounter and should not be overextended into speculative claims about all opposition to the gospel.

Major Views

Interpreters broadly agree that Elymas is a real individual in the Acts narrative. The main questions concern the origin and nuance of his name, not the basic meaning of the account.

Doctrinal Boundaries

This entry concerns a biblical person and an incident in Acts, not a doctrinal category. The passage should be read as narrative testimony to God’s defense of the gospel, not as a standalone rule for ministry practice.

Practical Significance

Elymas serves as a warning against resisting the truth and manipulating religion for influence. The account also encourages believers that the gospel may be opposed, but it cannot be finally thwarted.

Related Entries

See Also

Data

Machine-readable JSON for Elymas

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