But Saul was empowered all the more, and he confounded the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ.
Parallel translations
- WEB But Saul increased more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived at Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.
- KJV But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.
- NKJV But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ.
- NASB But Saul kept increasing in strength and confounding Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that this Jesus is the Christ.
- NLT Saul’s preaching became more and more powerful, and the Jews in Damascus couldn’t refute his proofs that Jesus was indeed the Messiah.
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
Saul grew stronger and confounded opponents by proving Jesus is the Christ. His conviction deepened and his arguments prevailed.
Overview
Saul increasingly demonstrated from the Scriptures that Jesus is the promised Messiah. His ability to silence objectors shows both his learning and the Spirit's power at work. The persecutor has become the church's foremost defender, turning his gifts to the service of the gospel.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 14
- Acts 18:5And when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself fully to the word, testifying to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ.
- Luke 21:15For I will give you speech and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.
- Isa 40:29He gives power to the faint and increases the strength of the weak.
- Acts 18:27–28When Apollos resolved to cross over to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. On his arrival, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed.
- 1 Cor 1:27But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.
- Phil 4:13I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
- Acts 6:9–10But resistance arose from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, including Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and men from the provinces of Cilicia and Asia. They began to argue with Stephen,
- Acts 28:23So they set a day to meet with Paul, and many people came to the place he was staying. He expounded to them from morning to evening, testifying about the kingdom of God and persuading them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and the Prophets.
- Job 17:9Yet a righteous one holds to his way, and the one with clean hands grows stronger.
- Luke 24:44–45Jesus said to them, “These are the words I spoke to you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.”
- Acts 17:3explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ,” he declared.
- Ps 84:7They go from strength to strength, until each appears before God in Zion.
- 2 Cor 12:9–10But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me.
- Gen 49:24Yet he steadied his bow, and his strong arms were tempered by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob, in the name of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel,
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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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