Acts 26:18

“To open their eyes, etc.] The eyes of their understanding, which were shut, and darkened, and blind: one copy reads, “the eyes of the blind”; and the Ethiopic version renders it, “the eyes of their heart”; and to have them opened, is to have them enlightened, to see their lost state and condition by nature, the exceeding sinfulness of sin, the plague of their own hearts, the impurity of nature, the impotence of man to that which is spiritually good, the imperfection of obedience, and the insufficiency of a man’s righteousness to justify him before God; and to see where help is laid, and where salvation is; to behold Christ as the only able, willing, complete, and suitable Saviour; to see…”

“To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light--rather, "that they may turn" (as in Act 26:20), that is, as the effect of their eyes being opened. The whole passage leans upon Isa 61:1 (Luk 4:18). and from the power of Satan--Note the connection here between being "turned from darkness" and "from the power of Satan," whose whole power over men lies in keeping them in the dark: hence he is called "the ruler of the darkness of this world." See on Co2 4:4. that they may receive forgiveness . . . and inheritance among the sanctified by faith that is in me--Note: Faith is here made the instrument of salvation at once in its first stage, forgiveness, and its last, admission to the…”

“To open their eyes - To enlighten or instruct them. Ignorance is represented by the eyes being closed, and the instruction of the gospel by the opening of the eyes. See Ephesians 1:18. And to turn them from darkness to light - From the darkness of paganism and sin to the light and purity of the gospel. Darkness is an emblem of ignorance and of sin, and the pagan nations are often represented as sitting in darkness. Compare the Matthew 4:16 note; John 1:4-5 notes. And from the power of Satan - From the dominion of Satan. Compare Colossians 1:13; 1 Peter 2:9. See the notes on John 12:31; John 16:11. Satan is thus represented as the prince of this world, the ruler of the darkness of this world,…”

“To open - He opens them, who sends Paul; and he does it by Paul who is sent; their eyes - Both of the Jews and Gentiles: that they may turn - Through the power of the Almighty, from the spiritual darkness wherein they were involved, to the light of Divine knowledge and holiness, and from the power of Satan, who now holds them in sin, guilt, and misery, to the love and happy service of God: that they may receive through faith - (He seems to place the same blessings in a fuller light,) pardon, holiness, and glory. Acts 26:19”

“open: Act 9:17, Act 9:18; Psa 119:18, Psa 146:8; Isa 29:18, Isa 32:3, Isa 35:5, Isa 42:7, Isa 43:8; Luk 4:18; Luk 24:45; Joh 9:39; Co2 4:4, Co2 4:6; Eph 1:18 and to: Act 26:23, Act 13:47; Isa 9:2, Isa 49:6, Isa 60:1-3; Mal 4:2; Mat 4:16, Mat 6:22, Mat 6:23; Luk 1:79; Luk 2:32; Joh 1:4-9, Joh 3:19, Joh 8:12, Joh 9:5, Joh 12:35, Joh 12:36; Co2 4:6, Co2 6:14; Eph 1:18; Eph 4:18, Eph 5:8, Eph 5:14; Th1 5:4-8; Pe1 2:9, Pe1 2:25; Jo1 2:8, Jo1 2:9 and from: Isa 49:24, Isa 49:25, Isa 53:8-12; Luk 11:21, Luk 11:22; Col 1:13; Ti2 2:26; Heb 2:14, Heb 2:15; Jo1 3:8, Jo1 5:19; Pe1 2:9; Rev 20:2, Rev 20:3 that they: Act 2:38, Act 3:19, Act 5:31, Act 10:43, Act 13:38, Act 13:39; Psa 32:1, Psa 32:2; Luk…”