Acts 8:22

κυρίου for θεοῦ with אABCDE. Vulg. has ‘Deum.’

22. μετανόησον οὖν�. κ., repent therefore, &c. On this condition not only could the stern wish of Peter be averted, but the anger of God also. We see therefore that the words of the Apostle in Acts 8:20 must have been coupled in his mind with such condition, but the further language of this verse seems to imply that to Peter’s mind there was not much hope of such repentance. The phrase μετανοεῖν� is found in LXX. (Jeremiah 8:6) ἄνθρωπος ὁ μετανοῶν�.

δεήθητι τοῦ κυρίου, and pray the Lord. This is what one would look for in the sentence, rather than ‘pray God’ (Text. recept.), for the offence was directly against Christ. Simon, with corrupt motives, was seeking to be enrolled among those who were called by Christ’s name.

εἰ ἄρα, if perhaps. The Apostle sees how full the mind of Simon has been of the scheme which he has conceived, and the knowledge of this seems expressed in the εἰ ἄρα with which this clause begins. He will not declare that there is not hope even for such an offender, but the covetousness, which is idolatry, makes repentance almost impossible. See Chrysostom’s words, διὰ τοῦτο καὶ εἶπεν, εἰ ἄρα�, ὅτι ᾔδει�.

ἡ ἐπίνοια, the thought. ἐπίνοια is found only here in N.T., but is not uncommon in the LXX. It implies a deliberate, well matured plan. Cf. Wis 14:12, ἀρχὴ γὰρ πορνείας ἐπίνοια εἰδώλων. Also see 2Ma 12:45.