Acts 9:22 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Proving that this is very Christ.— Evincing that he [Jesus] is the Christ. As Saul had blasphemed Christ and persecuted the Christians through ignorance, and while he really disbelieved the gospel, he obtained mercy at the hands of our Lord Jesus Christ through faith in him. But, though our Lord forgave him, he could hardly forgive himself, and thought he could not sufficiently testify his love and affection, without the greatest study and diligence to convert others; and indeed, by shewing mercy to him, who had been, as he calls himself, a blasphemer and a persecutor, our Lord gave a most remarkable instance of his long-suffering and abundant mercy. For what could be a greater encouragement to others to hope for mercy, upon their repentance and sincerely believing the gospel? to the Jews,—for instance, who had procured the murder of the Messiah, the Lord of life and glory: to the Samaritans,—who had formerly been so odious to the Jews, and corrupters of the Old Testament: to the devout Gentiles,—with whom the Jews would not eat, nor freely converse, as long as they remained uncircumcised: and, above all, to the idolatrous Gentiles, who had a long time lived without the true God in the world, and as aliens to his church and covenant; and to whom more particularly this Saul, this singular monument of mercy, was to be an apostle.