Thou hast no part nor lot in this matter. For thy heart is not right in the sight of God.
ουκ εστιν σοι μερις ουδε κληρος εν τω λογω τουτω η γαρ καρδια σου ουκ εστιν ευθεια ενωπιον του θεου
7 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Therefore he heard, “You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God” (v. 18). Again Peter reveals what is hidden in the soul, though Simon thought to conceal it. Thus he did everything crookedly, when he ought to have been simple.
Seeing that he was attempting to act in this way, Peter said: “What, wretched man, moved you to such madness? Did you think that the gift of God’s grace is sold? A gift is not acquired with money, but is bestowed upon the inward sense. It is impossible for base money to receive heavenly things, money loved by one whose gaze is fixed on the earth. You have no rest in this matter, and you cannot achieve your aim, defiled as you are by deceits. You, whose heart is full of bitter gall, seek what does not belong to you. Truly, the Spirit enters only those chambers of the mind that shine with simplicity and uprightness.”
It should be known that in the divine Scriptures the heart is often mentioned in place of the reason. Let it be clear to all that the source of our thoughts is there, from which good and evil are known to proceed. For this very part of our body is the place of thought, which has the form of fire. Therefore it is rightly located in such a place of creation, from which reflection can come to us.
Meanwhile the report of the success of the preaching of the Gospel in Samaria reached Jerusalem. The apostles sent Peter and John there to confirm the newly converted in the faith. When they arrived, they brought down upon all the believers the abundant gift of the Holy Spirit through the laying on of hands.
This last event aroused extreme envy in Simon Magus. According to his pagan way of thinking, he began offering the apostles money, so that they would give him also the authority to bring down the gifts of the Holy Spirit through the laying on of hands.
In answer to this criminal simony, as all attempts to obtain the grace of the priesthood by purchase came to be called, the apostle Peter addressed Simon with a stern rebuke. It affected the magician so deeply that he began asking the apostles to pray for him.
The holiest and purest thing cannot be acquired by sinful and impure means. Therefore Peter answers Simon's request itself with a decisive denial: "You have neither part nor lot in this matter." Literally, it says "in this word," with word used for deed, as often happens.
You will not receive this gift and cannot receive it. You cannot be a participant in it. The reason is this: "Your heart is not right before God." That is, Simon thinks wrongly about this gift. He is governed by impure motives in desiring to acquire it. He uses impure means for this, and therefore in general he is not right before God and is liable to God's judgment.
The apostle Peter's answer to Simon is full of threat and destruction because of the insulting supposition that one could buy those gracious gifts which, having been freely received, are freely given to the worthy by the mercy of God. Yet Simon, of course, did not think that he was offering an insult.
This was his general view of the matter. The apostle Peter urges him to think about it, saying that his heart is not right before God. This means that he looks upon the matter not from a sacred and spiritual point of view, for the sake of pleasing God, but personally, for his own profit. He wished to distinguish himself more, to be glorified, and at the same time to gain wealth.
To cut off this last thing, the apostle desired Simon's silver to perish, if Simon remained attached to it as before. The refusal of Simon's requested gift is expressed remarkably: "You have neither part nor lot in this matter." Here the apostolate is presented as a certain whole, in which each apostle has a part, given to him as though by a special lot, as with Matthias.
It is clear that Simon could in no way be a participant in this sacred apostolic choir. The sacred lot could not have fallen upon him even if he had not displayed his low view of Christianity, and at the same time of himself.
According to blessed Theophylact, "Simon believed not for the sake of faith, but so that he too might work miracles. How did he think he would work miracles? He himself deceived people and also subdued the demon-possessed. Therefore he thought that the apostles, like him, used some art. For this reason he offered money."
"This case vividly transfers us into the milieu of such people of that time. Many of them appeared and carried away the superstitious masses by charlatan methods bought with money from others like themselves. And, in contrast to this, how pure and holy are the actions, aims, and aspirations of the preachers of Christianity!"
Saint Peter says to Simon: "You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. Therefore repent of this sin of yours and pray to God. Perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you."
He has no part, yet Simon had not even thought that he had gone so far. Outwardly he had done nothing disgraceful. He had only thought wrongly, and the thought of his heart caused the apostle to wonder whether it would be forgiven him, even if he repented and prayed to God.
See what the disposition of the heart means, and what a thought issuing from it according to a certain disposition means. Judged by this, a man outwardly may be one thing, while inwardly he is something entirely different. This inward state is seen only by God and by those to whom the Spirit of God, Who searches hearts, reveals it.
With what fear and trembling, then, we must work out our salvation. And how sincerely and fervently we must pray to God: "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me" (Ps 50).
At the judgment there will be something fearful and astonishing. The Lord will say, "I do not know you," to those who not only were certain themselves that they belonged to God, but also appeared so in everyone's eyes. What remains for us? Only to cry out: "By whatever judgments You know, save us, O Lord!" As You know, grant our heart a saving disposition.
Passages read together with this verse.
Greek text, 20 words with lemma, transliteration and Strong’s number. Tap to expand.
THEOSIS