Act 9:21 | Clarke | e4.org | Verse 21. Is not this he that destroyed them ] οπορθησας. The verb πορθειν has three acceptations in the Greek writers: 1. To treat one as an enemy, to spoil him of his goods . 2. To lead away captive, to imprison . 3. To slay . Paul was properly πορθων, a destroyer , in all these senses. 1. He acted as the most determined enemy of the Christians: Being exceedingly mad against them, he persecuted them to strange cities , . 2. He shut up many of the saints in prison , . 3. He persecuted them unto death -gave his voice against them that they might be destroyed , and was a principal instrument in the martyrdom of Stephen. He breathed threatenings and slaughter . See . Therefore these three meanings of the original word are all exemplified in the conduct of Saul.

‏ Acts 9:21

Verse 21. Is not this he that destroyed them] οπορθησας. The verb πορθειν has three acceptations in the Greek writers: 1. To treat one as an enemy, to spoil him of his goods. 2. To lead away captive, to imprison. 3. To slay. Paul was properly πορθων, a destroyer, in all these senses. 1. He acted as the most determined enemy of the Christians: Being exceedingly mad against them, he persecuted them to strange cities, Ac 26:11. 2. He shut up many of the saints in prison, Ac 8:3; 9:14; 26:10. 3. He persecuted them unto death-gave his voice against them that they might be destroyed, and was a principal instrument in the martyrdom of Stephen. He breathed threatenings and slaughter. See Ac 7:58; 8:1; 9:1; 26:10, 11. Therefore these three meanings of the original word are all exemplified in the conduct of Saul.