At this point for the first time the name is introduced by which the apostle to the Gentiles is best known. For a discussion of the names Saul and Paul see Additional Notes on ch. 7, Note 2.
Filled with the Holy Ghost.
The tense of the Greek participle here implies a sudden access of spiritual power, showing itself at once in insight into character, righteous indignation, and prevision of divine chastisement to be applied. Evidently the sentence of punishment to be inflicted on Elymas was revealed to the apostle by the Spirit. Paul knew from the same Source that what he was about to say would come to pass.
Set his eyes.
Gr. atenizō, “to gaze intently.” It has been suggested that such a gaze was necessary because Paul’s vision was defective as a result of the fierce brightness seen on the Damascus road. But Luke uses this Greek word repeatedly of the fixed gaze of men of normal powers of sight, as they look in wonder or scrutiny (see Acts 3:4; Luke 4:20; 22:56). Elymas needed to be observed, for he was standing by, ready to employ any means he could to discredit the apostles. But Paul fixed him with his eyes and delivered a bitter condemnation.