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Translation
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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
"But Saul, who is also Paul,"-here his name is changed at the same time that he is ordained, as it was in Peter's case.
Theophylact of Ohrid
Here, together with Saul's ordination, his name is also changed. He was renamed so that in this respect too he would be no less than the apostles. And as for the preeminence that the chief of Christ's disciples, Peter, had, Paul too, it seems, enjoyed the same esteem and had occasion to win even greater favor.
Oecumenius
Therefore to show that Paul's words to Elymas the sorcerer were not spoken in anger, he anticipated and said, "filled with the Holy Spirit." For these words were not of punishment but of conversion. If they had been disciplinary, he would have made him blind forever; now, however, not that, but for a time, that he might convince the proconsul. [CHRYSOSTOM]
Western Saints
Augustine of Hippo
Accordingly Paul, who, although he was formerly called Saul, chose this new designation, for no other reason, as it seems to me, than because he would show himself little, — the "least of the apostles," — contends with much courage and earnestness against the proud and arrogant, and such as plume themselves on their own works, in order that he may commend the grace of God. …
Bede
But Saul, who is also Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, and so on. Just as Barnabas' name was changed immediately after his renunciation, so that instead of Joseph he was called Barnabas, which is, instead of "increased," "son of consolation." For after he was increased and added to the number of the elect, he immediately deserved to be both called and to be "son of παράκλησις," that is, "of consolation" through the received grace of the Spirit; so Saul, after receiving the rank of apostleship, was named Paul. …
Cassiodorus
"Then Saul, otherwise Paul, filled with the Holy Ghost, said. "This continues what started above. While Sergius the proconsul and Paulus the prudent man listened, the apostle Paul, filled with the Holy Ghost, vigorously reproved Bar-jesu the false prophet; and to show that his invective had been for the love of the Lord, he said to him: "Thou shalt be blind, and shalt not see the sun at all for a time." Then a dark mist coming upon him shut up his natural sight in such a way that he sought someone else's hands to help him leave. …
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