For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.
Parallel translations
- WEB For I see that you are in the poison of bitterness and in the bondage 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 5:22His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.
- Isa 58:6Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
- John 8:34Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
- Heb 12:15Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
- Titus 3:3For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers 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, and of the fields of Gomorrah: their grapes are grapes of gall, their clusters are bitter:
- Isa 28:22Now therefore be ye not mockers, lest your bands be made strong: for I have heard from the Lord GOD of hosts a consumption, even determined upon the whole earth.
- Rom 6:17–22But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
- 2 Pet 2:4For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;
- Ps 116:16O LORD, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds.
- Lam 3:19Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall.
- 2 Pet 2:19While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.
- Deut 29:18–20Lest there should be among you man, or woman, or family, or tribe, whose heart turneth away this day from the LORD our God, to go and serve the gods of these nations; lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood;
- Lam 3:5He hath builded against me, and compassed me with gall and travail.
- Jer 9:15Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will feed them, even this people, with wormwood, and give them water of gall to drink.
- Jer 4:18Thy way and thy doings have procured these things unto thee; this is thy wickedness, because it is bitter, because it reacheth unto thine heart.
- Job 20:14Yet his meat in his bowels is turned, it is the gall of asps within him.
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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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