But the Lord said unto him,
Go your way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
Read Chapter 9
George Leo Haydock
AD 1849
A vessel of election. A chosen elect vessel, and minister of the gospel. (Witham)
Skeous ekloges, an organ, or instrument. Thus Polybius uses the word, speaking of Damocles, ode en uperetikon skeuos, he was an excellent and choice character.
And then to Ananias, saying regarding him: "Go thy way; for he is a chosen vessel unto Me, to bear My name among the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him, from this time, how great things he must suffer for My name's sake."
He more than sufficiently released him of his fear, if the case be so that this man shall be so zealous in our cause, as even to suffer many things. And justly he is called a vessel (or, instrument)— for reason shows that evil is not a physical quality: a vessel of election (or, chosen instrument), He says; for we choose that which is approved. And let not any imagine, that (Ananias) speaks in unbelief of what was told him, as imagining that Christ was deceived: far from it! But affrighted and trembling, he did not even attend to what was said, at hearing the name of Paul. Moreover, the Lord does not tell that He has blinded him: at the mention of his name fear had prepossessed his soul: see, he says, to whom You are betraying me: 'and hither for this very purpose is he come, to bind all that call upon Your Name.' I fear, lest he take me to Jerusalem: why dost Thou cast me into the mouth of the lion? He is terrified, even while he speaks these words; that from every quarter we may lear...
