But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? Is not this he that destroyed them - Ὁ πορθησας. The verb πορθειν has three acceptations in the Greek writers:
1. To treat one as an enemy, to spoil him of his goods.
2. To lead away captive, to imprison.
3. To slay.
Paul was properly πορθων, a destroyer, in all these senses.
1. He acted as the most determined enemy of the Christians: Being exceedingly mad against them, he persecuted them to strange cities, Acts 26:11.
2. He shut up many of the saints in prison, Acts 8:3; Acts 9:14; Acts 26:10.
3. He persecuted them unto death - gave his voice against them that they might be destroyed, and was a principal instrument in the martyrdom of Stephen. He breathed threatenings and slaughter. See Acts 7:58; Acts 8:1; Acts 9:1; Acts 26:10, Acts 26:11.
Therefore these three meanings of the original word are all exemplified in the conduct of Saul.