Saul (Paul) the Persecutor

[Acts 8:3] As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.
He made havoc - This word is commonly applied to wild beasts, to lions, wolves, etc., and denotes the devastations which they commit. Saul raged against the Messianic church like a wild beast--a strong expression, denoting the zeal and fury with which he engaged in persecution.
Committed them to prison - The Sanhedrim had not power to put them to death, John 18:31, but they had power to imprison; and they resolved, it seems, to exercise this power to the utmost. Paul frequently refers to his zeal in persecuting the Messianic church, 26:10, 11; Galatians 1:13. It may be remarked here, that there never was a persecution commenced with more flattering prospects to the persecutors. Saul, the principal agent, was young, zealous, learned, and clothed with power. He showed afterwards that he had talents fitted for any station; and zeal that tired with no effort and that was appalled by no obstacle. With this talent he entered on his work. Believers were few and feeble. They were scattered and unarmed. They were unprotected by any civil power, and exposed, therefore, to the full blaze and rage of persecution. That the Messianic church was not destroyed was owing to the protection of G-d--a protection that not only secured its existence, but which extended its influence and power, by means of this very persecution, far abroad on the earth.
[4] Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.
Preaching the word - Greek, Evangelizing, or announcing the good news of the message of mercy, or the word of G-d. It is not the usual word which is rendered preach, but means simply announcing the good news of salvation. There is no evidence, nor is there any probability, that all these persons were ordained to preach. They were manifestly common Believers who were scattered by the persecution; and the meaning is, that they communicated to their fellow-men in conversation, wherever they met them--and probably in the Synagogues, where all Jews had a right to speak--the glad tidings that the Messiah had come. It is not said that they set themselves up for public teachers; or that they administered baptism; or that they founded Messianic churches; but they proclaimed everywhere the news that a Savior had come. Their hearts were full of it. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks; and they made the truth known to all whom they met.
It should be the great object of all Believers to make the Savior known everywhere. By their lives, conversation, and pious exhortations and entreaties, they should beseech dying sinners to be reconciled to G-d. And especially should this be done when they are traveling. Believers, when away from home, seem almost to imagine that they lay aside the obligations of religion. But the example of Y’Shua and His early disciples has taught us that this is the very time to attempt to do good.
[9:4] And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
Fell – He was astonished and overcome by the sudden flash of light, notice it did not say he was upon a horse. In 26:14, it is said that they all fell to the earth at the appearance of the light. They were immediately smitten to the ground together. This was before the voice spoke to Saul.
Voice - It was manifestly regarded as a message to Saul. The light appeared, and the voice spoke to him. The whole company heard a voice, but did not distinguish it as addressed particularly to Saul, for they all were in pursuit.
Why persecutes thou Me - The design was to convert an infuriated persecutor, and to make him a Messianic Believer. To do this, it was necessary that he should see the Y’Shua HaMashiach. The design was, further, to make him an eminent instrument in carrying the gospel to the Gentiles (whom will now be allowed into the Messianic fellowship, down the road they well separate and be called Christians taking on the Greek form. That was not G-d’s idea; He wanted them to work together. The Jews were to teach the Gentiles for they are His priest.) It is important to remember Paul was sent to the Gentiles and that is whom he is speaking to – many make doctrines out of what Paul said not remembering he is not speaking to the Jews who already understood what the teaching was about. That is where one needs to know the times and customs to get the proper meaning.
V. 5 Against the pricks - The word translated "pricks" here means, properly, any sharp point which will pierce or puncture, as the sting of a bee. But it commonly means an ox-goad, a sharp piece of iron stuck into the end of a stick, with which the ox is urged on. These goads, among the Hebrews, were made very large. Thus Shamgar slew six hundred men with one of them, Judges 3:31: Comp. 1 Samuel 13:21. The expression, "to kick against the prick," or the goad, is derived from the action of a stubborn and unyielding ox, kicking against the goad. And as the ox would injure no one by it but himself--as he would gain nothing--it comes to denote an stubborn and unruly nature and course of conduct, opposing motives to good conduct; resisting the authority of Him who has a right to command; and opposing the leadings of Providence, to the injury of him who makes the resistance. It denotes rebellion against lawful authority, and thus getting into greater difficulty by attempting to oppose the commands to duty. This is the condition of every sinner. If men wish to be happy, they should cheerfully submit to the authority of G-d. They should not rebel against the dealings of Providence. They should not murmur against their Creator. They should not resist the claims of their consciences. By all this they would only injure themselves. No man can resist G-d, or His own conscience, and be happy.
[7] And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.
Stood speechless - In this place the historian is speaking of what occurred after the first alarm. There is no doubtfulness that they rose from the ground immediately, and surveyed the scene with silent amazement and alarm. The word speechless properly denotes those who are so astonished or so stupefied as to be unable to speak.
Voice - Hearing a sound or noise. In 22:9 says the rest did not understand in the sense of understanding the words.
[9] And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.
This effect is caused by the intense action of the light on the optic nerve, or sometimes from a disorder of the brain. He was brought to the dust, and left to three painful days of darkness and suspense, before it was told him what he was to do.
This state of darkness was necessary to humble him, to view his past life; his great sins; the sudden change in his views; his total absorption in the vision; perhaps also his grief at the loss of his sight, would all fill his mind, and indispose him to partake of food. Great grief always produces this effect.
[18] And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
Fell from his eyes - The effect was such as would take place if some dark, impervious substance had been placed before the eyes, and had been suddenly removed. The word translated scales is used nowhere else in the New Testament. It means, properly, the small crust or layer which composes a part of the covering of a fish, and also any thin layer or leaf exfoliated or separated; as scales of iron, bone, or a piece of bark. It is mentioned in the future that G-d would remove the scales off His people’s eyes, and then they would believe in the Messiah.
And was baptized - In this he followed the example of all the early converts to Messianic. Notice a ‘disciple’ baptized him not an ‘apostle.’
Paul was called to the Gentiles which are the nations; all who were not Jews. This was the principal employment of Paul.