“And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,”
Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples—a vivid image (Greek: empsychoi, 'breathing in') of Saul's consuming hatred, showing that persecution of the church is fundamentally opposition to Christ himself. The contrast between Saul's violent intentions and his imminent transformation frames the chapter's central theme of radical conversion. Luke emphasizes Saul's authority and zeal to highlight the miraculous reversal about to occur.
Church Fathers on Acts 9:1
For, it says, he went on his way rejoicing. But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Cæsarea. Acts 8:40 This (Philip, therefore) was one of the seven; for there in fact he is afterwards found at Cæsarea. It was well and expedient therefore that the Spirit caught Philip away; else the eunuch would have desired to go with him, and Philip would have grieved him by declining to comply with his request, the time being not…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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