Interpretation of Simon's Attempt to Purchase Holy Spirit
Simon Magus, a sorcerer in Samaria, witnessed the apostles Peter and John laying hands on believers, resulting in the reception of the Holy Spirit. Observing this, Simon offered them money, saying, "Give me also this power, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit" [1]. This act is the origin of the term "simony," which refers to the corrupt practice of buying or selling church offices or spiritual gifts [6].
Simon's offer revealed a profound misunderstanding of the nature of spiritual power and the Holy Spirit. He perceived the Holy Spirit's manifestation as a transferable commodity that could be acquired through financial transaction, much like his own magical arts [6]. John Gill notes that Simon saw the visible effects of the Holy Spirit's presence, such as speaking in tongues or working miracles, and believed these could be bought [4].
The apostle Peter vehemently rebuked Simon, stating, "May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God" [1]. Peter called Simon to repent of his wickedness and pray for forgiveness, highlighting the gravity of his sin [7]. This incident underscores that the Holy Spirit is a divine gift, not something that can be earned, purchased, or manipulated [6]. The "fruit of the Spirit" is described as goodness, righteousness, and truth, which are outcomes of divine grace, not human commerce [2, 5]. As Calvin noted, believers are like "wild and useless olive trees" until grafted into Christ, who, through the Spirit, enables them to bear fruit [3].
Sources
- Acts “Now when Simon saw that the Holy Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, -- Acts 8:18”
- Ephesians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ephesians 5:8: For the fruit of the Spirit,.... Either of the spirit of man, as renewed, or rather of the Spirit of God; the allusion is to fruits of trees: the believer is a tree of righteousness; Christ is his root; the Spirit is the sap, which supports and nourishes; and good works, under the influence of his grace, are the fruit: the Alexandrian copy, and some others, and the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Ethiopic versions, read "the fruit of light"; which agrees with the preceding words: and the genuine fruit of internal grace, or light, is in all goodness, and righteousness, ”
- Philippians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Philippians 1:11: The oldest manuscripts read the singular, "fruit." So Gal 5:22 (see on Gal 5:22); regarding the works of righteousness, however manifold, as one harmonious whole, "the fruit of the Spirit" (Eph 5:9) Jam 3:18, "the fruit of righteousness" (Heb 12:11); Rom 6:22, "fruit unto holiness." which are--"which is by (Greek, 'through') Jesus Christ." Through His sending to us the Spirit from the Father. "We are wild and useless olive trees till we are grafted into Christ, who, by His living root, makes us fruit-bearing branches" [CALVIN].”
- Acts (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Acts 8:17: And when Simon saw,.... Whence it appears, that the Holy Ghost, or his gifts, which were received by imposition of hands, were something visible and discernible; and so something external, and not internal; otherwise they would have been out of Simon's reach, and would not have fallen under his notice; but he saw, that through laying on of the apostles' hands, the Holy Ghost was given: he saw, that upon this men began to prophesy, and to speak with divers tongues they had never learned, and to work miracles, cure men of their diseases, and the like: and when he observ”
- Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 5:9: fruit of the Spirit--taken by transcribers from Gal 5:22. The true reading is that of the oldest manuscripts, "The fruit of THE LIGHT"; in contrast with "the unfruitful works of darkness" (Eph 5:11). This verse is parenthetic. Walk as children of light, that is, in all good works and words, "FOR the fruit of the light is [borne] in [ALFORD; but BENGEL, 'consists in'] all goodness [opposed to 'malice,' Eph 4:31], righteousness [opposed to 'covetousness,' Eph 5:3] and truth [opposed to 'lying,' Eph 4:25]."”
- Acts (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Acts 8:9: 8:9-24 Simon the sorcerer was a showman, dazzling the people of Samaria and making self-exalting claims. Simon’s attempt to obtain spiritual power through payment gave the name simony to the later corrupt practice of buying and selling ordination to church leadership (cp. 1 Tim 6:9-10). Peter strongly rebuked Simon’s wickedness.”
- Acts (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Acts 8:21: Repent therefore of this thy wickedness,.... For a great piece of wickedness it was, to offer money for the gift of the Holy Ghost, and to imagine, that could be purchased with money; and what made the wickedness still greater was, the evil design he had in this, to advance himself in opposition to Christ and his apostles, as he afterwards did; and when the apostle puts him upon repentance, his view is to show the heinousness of his crime, the need he stood in of repentance, and that without it, his case must be miserable: and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine”