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Galatians 1:23<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n But they were hearing only, “He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once<\/span><\/strong> tried to<\/span><\/em> destroy.”<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Truth to Learn<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n God can change even the most hardened opponent of Christianity into a beacon of the gospel message.<\/p>\n Behind the Words<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n The words translated \u201cthey were hearing<\/span>\u201d are akouontes \u0113san<\/span><\/em>. The word \u0113san<\/span><\/em> is the verb of being and is expressed in the imperfect tense implying continuous or repeated past action. The word akouontes<\/span><\/em> is a form of akou\u014d<\/span><\/em>, meaning \u201cto hear.\u201d This is the word from which we get out English word acoustic. It is expressed here as a participle, implying ongoing action. Put this all together, and we see that Paul is saying, \u201cthey were continually hearing\u201d or \u201cthey were repeatedly hearing.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDestroy<\/span>\u201d is translated from a form of porthe\u014d<\/span><\/em>, which means \u201cto ravage\u201d or \u201cto destroy.\u201d This word is also expressed in the imperfect tense implying past, continuous or repeated activity. Hence, the end of this verse could be expressed as \u201cthe faith which he previously was ravaging.\u201d<\/p>\n Meaning Explained<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Even though Paul had never visited any of the churches in Judea they knew who he was. What they knew about him, however, was only by hearsay because they had never heard him preach nor had they conversed with him. The churches in Judea, and particularly in Jerusalem, knew who he was because he had persecuted them in the worst way. This persecution began at the death of Stephen which is recorded in the seventh and eighth chapters of the book of Acts:<\/p>\n And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God<\/span> and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep. Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial,<\/span> and made great lamentation over him. As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them<\/span> to prison. <\/span>(Act 7:59 – 8:3<\/span><\/span><\/strong>)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Because of this persecution, of which Paul was a key instigator, virtually every Christian in Jerusalem and all Judea knew who Paul was. In the current verse Paul tells us that he was known by his reputation; not as the one who currently was persecuting the church, but as the one who formerly persecuted the church and who now preaches the faith that he once tried to destroy. God can take even the greatest enemy of the Church and turn him or her into an instrument of blessing with the gospel message.<\/p>\n Application <\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Do you know of someone who resists everything you try to do for God? Someone who seems intent on destroying every spiritual thing you try to do? If so, pray that God will turn that person around and make them into a vessel of blessing!<\/p>\n He is able!<\/p>\n In God\u2019s service, for His glory,<\/strong><\/p>\n Copyright \u00a9 2007 <\/span>Will <\/span>Krause. All rights reserved.<\/span><\/p>\n – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –<\/p>\n <\/span>If this message or this link was forwarded to you by a friend and you wish to receive future verses directly to your inbox, you can call the church phone (618) 614-3070 and leave a message telling us your name and e-mail address or you can send an e-mail to: Galatians 1:23 But they were hearing only, “He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy.” Truth to Learn God can change even the most hardened opponent of Christianity into a beacon of the gospel message. Behind the Words The words translated \u201cthey were hearing\u201d are akouontes \u0113san. 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