3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.
3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.
3 He set off. When he got to the outskirts of Damascus, he was suddenly dazed by a blinding flash of light.
3 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven.
3 As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him.
25 Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:
25 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul,
25 So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul,
25 Then Barnabas went on to Tarsus to look for Saul.
25 Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul.
25 Then Barnabas went on to Tarsus to look for Saul.
(Read Acts 11:25-30)
Hitherto the followers of Christ were called disciples, that is, learners, scholars; but from that time they were called Christians. The proper meaning of this name is, a follower of Christ; it denotes one who, from serious thought, embraces the religion of Christ, believes his promises, and makes it his chief care to shape his life by Christ's precepts and example. Hence it is plain that multitudes take the name of Christian to whom it does not rightly belong. But the name without the reality will only add to our guilt. While the bare profession will bestow neither profit nor delight, the possession of it will give both the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. Grant, Lord, that Christians may forget other names and distinctions, and love one another as the followers of Christ ought to do. True Christians will feel for their brethren under afflictions. Thus will fruit be brought forth to the praise and glory of God. If all mankind were true Christians, how cheerfully would they help one another! The whole earth would be like one large family, every member of which would strive to be dutiful and kind.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Acts 9:3
Commentary on Acts 9:1-9
(Read Acts 9:1-9)
So ill informed was Saul, that he thought he ought to do all he could against the name of Christ, and that he did God service thereby; he seemed to breathe in this as in his element. Let us not despair of renewing grace for the conversion of the greatest sinners, nor let such despair of the pardoning mercy of God for the greatest sin. It is a signal token of Divine favour, if God, by the inward working of his grace, or the outward events of his providence, stops us from prosecuting or executing sinful purposes. Saul saw that Just One, 14; 26:13. How near to us is the unseen world! It is but for God to draw aside the veil, and objects are presented to the view, compared with which, whatever is most admired on earth is mean and contemptible. Saul submitted without reserve, desirous to know what the Lord Jesus would have him to do. Christ's discoveries of himself to poor souls are humbling; they lay them very low, in mean thoughts of themselves. For three days Saul took no food, and it pleased God to leave him for that time without relief. His sins were now set in order before him; he was in the dark concerning his own spiritual state, and wounded in spirit for sin. When a sinner is brought to a proper sense of his own state and conduct, he will cast himself wholly on the mercy of the Saviour, asking what he would have him to do. God will direct the humbled sinner, and though he does not often bring transgressors to joy and peace in believing, without sorrows and distress of conscience, under which the soul is deeply engaged as to eternal things, yet happy are those who sow in tears, for they shall reap in joy.