Note 4 at Ac 13:9: This is the first time in Scripture that Saul was called Paul. The name Saul was Hebrew and means "asked" (Strong's Concordance). Paul was a Latin name meaning "little" (Strong's Concordance). It is possible that this name was descriptive of Paul's physical stature (2Co 10:10). Since Paul was a Roman name and was not used until he began his ministry to the Gentiles, it is possible that Paul chose to use the name so that the Gentiles would more readily accept him (1Co 9:19-23).

Note 5 at Ac 13:9: Special mention is made of Saul being filled with the Holy Ghost when he executed this judgment on Elymas. This leaves no doubt that this was done at the Lord's leading and wasn't just Paul's temper manifesting. However, it is rare that we see the Lord executing judgment on people in the New Testament. Jesus even rebuked His disciples for wanting to call fire down from heaven, as Elijah had done under the Old Covenant (see note 2 at Lu 9:55).

Just as in the case of Herod being eaten with worms (see note 4 at Ac 12:23), God's wrath and judgment do still exist, but they are not released against His own children (see note 5 at Ac 5:5). And there are very few examples of the Lord releasing His wrath on unbelievers. This punishment of Elymas and God's judgment upon Herod are the classic New Testament examples.

In these rare cases where judgment is appropriate, it would be best handled by God directly, as He did with Herod (Ac 12:23), or by a mature Christian, as the Apostle Paul was, who is full of the Holy Ghost and only acting at the Lord's direction.

Note 6 at Ac 13:9: Just as in Ac 3:4 where Peter fastened his eyes upon the beggar and in Ac 14:9 where Paul steadfastly beheld a man (see note 2 at Ac 3:4), likewise there is significance in Paul setting his eyes on Elymas. In the first two instances, Peter and Paul perceived faith (Ac 14:9). In this instance, Paul perceived that Elymas was a "child of the devil" and an "enemy of all righteousness" (Ac 13:10). Before we can minister grace or judgment to people, we need to know their hearts. This is what Paul was perceiving through the power of the Holy Ghost as he "set his eyes on him."