Acts 9:21
Is not this he that destroyed them - ̔ . The verb 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 , 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, Acts 26:11.
2.He shut up many of the saints in prison, Acts 8:3; Acts 9:14; Acts 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 Acts 7:58; Acts 8:1; Acts 9:1; Acts 26:10, Acts 26:11.
Therefore these three meanings of the original word are all exemplified in the conduct of Saul.
