Acts 26:18

Open their eyes. See on Luke 4:18. A promise of success in his mission. Paul knew that the devil had blinded men’s spiritual eyes (Rom. 1:20-32; 2 Cor. 4:4). Even while Jesus spoke to him Paul was suffering physical blindness. How well he could appreciate the need for the opening of the eyes!

Turn them. Or, “that they may turn.” Now, having their eyes opened, they could see certain death at the end of the road they were traveling. This should lead them to turn about.

From darkness to light. See on John 1:4-9.

Power of Satan. Satan had led all men into sin. He was, indeed, the author of sin.

Only the superior power of Christ can release men from his clutches.

Forgiveness of sins. Jews and Gentiles alike could not rid themselves of sin. The gospel made accessible to them the good news of the remission — the sending away — of sin (John 1:7-9; 1 Peter 2:24).

Inheritance. Instead of the vanities of this temporary world, aging in wickedness, Paul was to offer the Gentiles “an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away” (1 Peter 1:4).

Sanctified by faith. Paul often mentions sanctification, the process of character transformation through which the saints must go. To instantaneous freedom from the guilt of sin, through justification (see on Rom. 4:8), it adds a repeated and continuous dedication of the mind and the life to the goal of perfection in Christ. It is the “work ... of a lifetime” (see AA 560-562). See on Matt. 5:48. As all Christians must, Paul was experiencing a continuing dedication, proceeding from victory to victory in Christ (Phil. 3:12-14; see on Rom. 8:1-4).