Acts 8:22

Repent. See on Matt. 3:2. This is the first condition for obtaining forgiveness and averting merited punishment. Note that although Simon’s attitude is described as “wickedness,” Peter’s appeal shows that salvation was still available for him.

Pray God. Textual evidence favors the reading “Lord” instead of “God.” This would be a special reference to the Lord Jesus, against whom Simon’s offense was committed.

If perhaps. This implies a doubt, not of God’s willingness to forgive, but of Simon’s readiness to repent. Peter may also have thought that Simon’s sin approximated the unpardonable sin against the Holy Ghost (see on Matt. 12:31). In this case the use of such words by Peter, after Christ had given to the apostles great disciplinary power (John 20:23), would be most serious indeed.

Thought. Greek epinoia, “purpose,” “intent,” giving the idea of a ripened scheme. This makes the offense all the more serious. The apostle sees how the mind of Simon has been fully occupied with his plan, and while he will not declare that there is no hope for him, his covetousness, bordering upon idolatry, makes repentance almost impossible. God is ever ready to forgive, but man is often not ready for forgiveness (see on Ps. 32:1; 130:4).