For I see that you are in the poison of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity.”
Parallel translations
- KJV For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.
- BSB For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and captive to iniquity.”
- NKJV For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.”
- NASB For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bondage of unrighteousness.”
- NLT for I can see that you are full of bitter jealousy and are held captive by sin.”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Peter discerned that Simon was full of bitterness and bound by sin. His true spiritual condition was one of corruption and bondage, not salvation.
Overview
Peter describes Simon as in 'the poison of bitterness' and 'the bondage of iniquity,' echoing warnings about a poisonous root in Israel (Deuteronomy 29:18). This diagnosis suggests Simon's profession was not true saving faith. It illustrates that sin enslaves and that only Christ can free the captive heart.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 17
- Prov 5:22The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare him. The cords of his sin hold him firmly.
- Isa 58:6“Isn’t this the fast that I have chosen: to release the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke?
- John 8:34Jesus answered them, “Most certainly I tell you, everyone who commits sin is the bondservant of sin.
- Heb 12:15looking carefully lest there be any man who falls short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and many be defiled by it;
- Titus 3:3For we were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
- Deut 32:32–33For their vine is of the vine of Sodom, of the fields of Gomorrah. Their grapes are poison grapes. Their clusters are bitter.
- Isa 28:22Now therefore don’t be scoffers, lest your bonds be made strong; for I have heard a decree of destruction from the Lord, Yahweh of Armies, on the whole earth.
- Rom 6:17–22But thanks be to God, that, whereas you were bondservants of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were delivered.
- 2 Pet 2:4For if God didn’t spare angels when they sinned, but cast them down to Tartarus, and committed them to pits of darkness, to be reserved for judgment;
- Ps 116:16Yahweh, truly I am your servant. I am your servant, the son of your servant. You have freed me from my chains.
- Lam 3:19Remember my affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall.
- 2 Pet 2:19promising them liberty, while they themselves are bondservants of corruption; for a man is brought into bondage by whoever overcomes him.
- Deut 29:18–20lest there should be among you man, woman, family, or tribe whose heart turns away today from Yahweh our God, to go to serve the gods of those nations; lest there should be among you a root that produces bitter poison;
- Lam 3:5He has built against me, and surrounded me with gall and travail.
- Jer 9:15therefore Yahweh of Armies, the God of Israel, says, “Behold, I will feed them, even this people, with wormwood, and give them water of gall to drink.
- Jer 4:18“Your way and your doings have brought these things to you. This is your wickedness; for it is bitter, for it reaches to your heart.”
- Job 20:14yet his food in his bowels is turned. It is cobra venom within him.
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Christ at the center
Acts is the risen Christ continuing his work by the Spirit through the church, as the apostles preach that there is salvation in no other name under heaven.
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Original language
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