Acts 8 22

Acts 8:22 kjv

Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.

Acts 8:22 nkjv

Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.

Acts 8:22 niv

Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart.

Acts 8:22 esv

Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you.

Acts 8:22 nlt

Repent of your wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive your evil thoughts,

Acts 8 verses

Acts 8 22 Meaning

This verse issues a stark command for Simon Magus to undergo a complete change of heart and mind, urging him to repent from his deeply corrupt intention to exploit God's power for personal gain. It instructs him to earnestly pray to God, expressing the slim, conditional possibility that the evil design he harbored in his heart might be forgiven by divine mercy. It highlights the gravity of his spiritual wickedness and the necessary spiritual remedy.

Acts 8 22 Context

This verse immediately follows Peter's stern rebuke to Simon Magus. Simon, a well-known sorcerer in Samaria, had initially appeared to believe and was baptized during Philip's ministry. However, upon witnessing Peter and John imparting the Holy Spirit through the laying on of hands, Simon offered them money, desiring to purchase this power. Peter vehemently condemned this attempt as "bitter poison and a captive to iniquity" (Acts 8:23), recognizing Simon's heart was not right before God. Acts 8:22 is Peter's urgent, two-fold counsel to Simon: a command to genuinely repent and a directive to seek God's forgiveness through prayer. The broader historical context includes the spread of the Gospel beyond Jerusalem into Samaria, a region often marked by syncretism and various magical practices, making Simon's case a significant test of the purity of Christian belief against pagan influences.

Acts 8 22 Word analysis

• Repent (μετανοήσατε - metanoēsate):

  • This is an imperative, a direct command.
  • It signifies a complete change of mind, a moral turnaround, and a reorientation of one's life. It is more than mere regret; it requires a radical shift from the sinful attitude to a God-pleasing one.
  • Its root meaning is "to change one's purpose or intention."
  • Peter demands an internal transformation, acknowledging the depth of Simon's spiritual corruption.

• therefore (οὖν - oun):

  • A connecting particle indicating a logical consequence.
  • It links this command directly to Peter's preceding rebuke of Simon's attempt to buy spiritual power and his pronouncement that Simon's heart was "not right in the sight of God."

• of this your wickedness (ἀπὸ τῆς κακίας σου ταύτης - apo tēs kakias sou tautēs):

  • κακίας (kakias): This term means "evil," "malice," or "depravity."
  • It highlights that Simon's issue was not a minor oversight but a deeply rooted moral and spiritual corruption—an intrinsic evil intention to commercialize divine gifts.
  • The use of "your" (σου) personalizes the charge, pointing to Simon's specific fault.
  • "This" (ταύτης) specifically refers to the wicked desire to purchase the power of the Holy Spirit.

• and pray God (καὶ δεήθητι τοῦ Κυρίου - kai deēthēti tou Kyriou):

  • δεήθητι (deēthēti): An imperative verb meaning "to beg," "plead," or "make earnest petition."
  • It suggests an urgent, humble appeal to a higher authority, acknowledging a desperate need for help.
  • This is not a casual request but a heartfelt cry for mercy directed to "the Lord" (τοῦ Κυρίου), specifically God.

• if perhaps (εἰ ἄρα - ei ara):

  • This phrase introduces a degree of uncertainty or doubt.
  • It indicates that forgiveness for such a grievous and profound sin, especially one bordering on contempt for the Holy Spirit's integrity, is not guaranteed but a mere possibility, contingent upon genuine, deep-seated repentance.
  • It underscores the extreme seriousness of Simon's sin, suggesting that even God's vast mercy might find it a challenging case to pardon fully.

• may be forgiven (ἀφεθήσεταί - aphethēsetai):

  • Future passive indicative, signifying an action done by God, not Simon himself.
  • Forgiveness is a divine act of grace, a release from the penalty and guilt of sin.

• the thought of your heart (ἡ ἐπίνοια τῆς καρδίας σου - hē epinoia tēs kardias sou):

  • ἐπίνοια (epinoia): Refers to an intentional conception, a design, a scheme, or a devised plan, rather than a fleeting emotion or passing thought. It implies deliberate premeditation.
  • καρδίας (kardias): The "heart" in biblical terms is the seat of intellect, will, emotions, and moral character—the core of one's being.
  • This phrase emphasizes that Simon's sin originated from a deep-seated, calculated, and corrupt intent within his very core, not merely an external action or superficial error.

• Repent therefore of this your wickedness:

  • This is an urgent call for Simon to completely reverse his perspective and conduct concerning spiritual power. It addresses not just the act but the underlying malicious disposition.

• and pray God if perhaps:

  • This coupling highlights the pathway to forgiveness (prayer) while simultaneously stressing the highly conditional and uncertain nature of receiving it due to the severe breach of spiritual integrity.

• the thought of your heart may be forgiven you:

  • Pinpoints the precise object of repentance and prayer: the deep, wicked design that emanated from Simon's core being, not just external behaviors.

Acts 8 22 Bonus section

• The term "simony," referring to the sin of buying or selling spiritual offices or benefits, takes its name directly from Simon Magus and his attempt described in Acts 8. This illustrates the lasting impact and condemnation of Simon's error in Christian history and doctrine.
• Peter's offer of potential forgiveness, even with the qualifier "if perhaps," demonstrates that God's grace always leaves a door open for repentance, even for the most grievous of sins, provided there is a sincere change of heart. It implies that Simon was still capable of such a change, though the likelihood was uncertain due to the deeply ingrained nature of his "wickedness."
• This verse profoundly distinguishes genuine spiritual power and gifts, which are freely given by God's grace, from any form of manipulation, sorcery, or merchandising of sacred things, firmly asserting that God's work cannot be exploited.

Acts 8 22 Commentary

Peter's command to Simon Magus is a pivotal moment establishing a clear boundary within the nascent Christian community against the commercialization of spiritual power. The verse is not merely a request but a stern imperative for a profound spiritual reckoning. Peter does not offer cheap grace but calls for genuine "metanoia," a transformative change from Simon's self-serving desire to manipulate God's gifts for personal profit. The use of "if perhaps" serves as a solemn warning, revealing the extreme gravity of Simon's "wickedness" which stemmed from a corrupt "thought of his heart"—a calculated plan, not a mistake. It highlights that certain sins, especially those betraying a deeply wrong attitude toward the Holy Spirit, make forgiveness arduous, though not impossible, contingent on a sincere and total turning to God. It underscores the truth that while God's mercy is vast, it requires true repentance from the depths of one's being. This passage serves as an enduring reminder that divine gifts cannot be bought, sold, or controlled by human ambition, and true spiritual service flows from a pure heart.