Acts 8:20-24 But Peter said to him, Your money perish with you, because you have thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.… I. THIS MAN'S STATE. In a state of nature as evidenced by his covetousness, ambition, and hypocrisy. This state is called — 1. The gall of bitterness because it is bitter(1) To God; which appears by the bitter sufferings of Christ (Isaiah 53:6; Matthew 26:38). (2) To every good man as felt in their first awakenings, bitter remorse (Matthew 26:75), bitter reflections. (2) To the impenitently wicked (Mark 9:44). 2. The bond of iniquity (Proverbs 5:22). This bond is — (1) Strong. (2) Reproachful (Proverbs 14:34). (3) Unprofitable. II. HOW IT WAS PERCEIVED. By its fruit (Matthew 12:33, 35). A man's state may be discerned — 1. By his ignorance of Divine things. 2. By the company he keeps. 3. By the books he reads. 4. By his places of resort. (S. Barnard.) Parallel Verses KJV: But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. |
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