Acts 9:15

Go. The words “thy way” appear in no Greek text. The perplexity of Ananias arose from his ignorance of the true state of affairs. But the Lord knew every circumstance in this situation, and directed His servant accordingly.

Vessel. Gr. skeuos, “vessel,” “implement,” is used with a wide range of meaning in the NT (cf. Matt. 13:48; Luke 8:16; John 19:29; Acts 10:11; Rom. 9:21; 2 Cor. 4:7; 1 Thess. 4:4). It was employed by classical writers concerning useful and trustworthy slaves. It is in this sense that the Lord applies skeuos to Saul as the instrument with which He would work out His gracious will for the Gentiles. The word for “chosen” (ekloge), which occurs here for the first time in the NT, is translated “election” in all other cases.

Bear my name. This explains the Lord’s purpose in the election of Saul; he was to carry Christ’s name, or exhibit His character (see on ch. 3:16).

Gentiles. The Gentiles are placed first on the list, because Saul’s field of labor was to be especially among them (see on Rom. 1:13, 14; 11:13). This must have been a startling revelation to Ananias, who, as a devout Jew, had not yet realized that the whole world was to hear of Christ. But he now sees, in the man of whom he had only heard as the great persecutor, one who has been chosen and trained, and made more fit than all others for the work of spreading the gospel throughout the world.

Kings. The words find sufficient, but perhaps not exclusive, fulfillment in Paul’s speech before Agrippa (ch. 26:1, 2), and possibly before Nero (see on 2 Tim. 4:16).

Children of Israel. Although an apostle to the Gentiles, Paul preached to the Jews at every opportunity (see chs. 13:5; 14:1; 17:1, 10; 18:4, 19; 19:8).