📖 Biblical Definition
Simon Magus was the Samaritan sorcerer who had astonished his city with his arts "giving out that himself was some great one" (Acts 8:9) — when Philip the evangelist arrived preaching the gospel. Simon professed faith, was baptized, and remained with Philip, marveling at the miracles. When Peter and John came down from Jerusalem and conferred the Holy Spirit by laying on of hands, Simon offered money for the same power: "Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost" (8:19). Peter’s rebuke is severe: "Thy money perish with thee... Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God". From him is named the sin of simony — buying or selling ecclesial office.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
SIMONY — the buying or selling of ecclesiastical preferments, or of the gifts of the Holy Spirit; named for Simon Magus.
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SIMONY, n. — The corrupt presentation of any one to an ecclesiastical benefice for gift or reward. It is so called from Simon Magus, who would have purchased the gift of the Holy Spirit with money. Webster lists this as a recognized ecclesiastical crime, the sale of holy office or grace, the original case of which is recorded in Acts chapter eight.
📖 Key Scripture
Acts 8:9 — "But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great."
Acts 8:18 — "And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money."
Acts 8:20 — "But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money!”"
Acts 8:23 — "For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Simon's sin lives wherever the gifts and offices of God are bought, sold, or branded.
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Simon Magus did not deny Christ; he tried to monetize Him. The modern televangelist who sells anointing in seven-dollar prayer cloths, the church board that auctions pulpit access to the highest donor, the seminary that trades degrees for tuition without character — all walk in the steps of Simon. Peter's rebuke is unsoftened: your money perish with you.
The corruption is the assumption that the gift of God is a commodity. The Holy Spirit is not for sale, the office is not for sale, the calling is not for sale. The cure is repentance, not a refund — for Simon was told to pray that the thought of his heart might be forgiven.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
From Greek Simōn (G4613) + magos (G3097, sorcerer); the Latin coinage simonia preserves the sin.
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G4613 — Simōn — Simon; the Samaritan sorcerer
G3097 — magos — magus, sorcerer, magician
G1431 — dōrea — gift — what cannot be bought
Usage
"You thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money (Acts 8:20)."
"You are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity (Acts 8:23)."
"Simony is the oldest scandal of the visible church."