God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul

And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them (Acts 19:11–12, KJV)

God worked extraordinary miracles through Paul such that handkerchiefs that touched his body healed people. These miracles were so astonishing that the scripture describes then as “special”. The scripture says these miracles were wrought by the hands of Paul. What is the meaning of “by the hands of Paul”?

The most obvious answer is that God used Paul’s physical hands to work out these miracles. A clue is given to us in the same verse. The special miracles mentioned in this verse were not performed by Paul’s hands. The handkerchiefs were brought from his body, which includes his hands too. There is no question some miracles were performed by Paul laying his hands on people or maybe on the handkerchiefs but the word “hands” in this verse is not referring exclusively to Paul’s physical hands.

I often call your attention to many verses in scripture where figurative language is often used in very subtle ways that many of us might miss out on. The word “hands” here is used figuratively for instrumentalities or vessels through which something was done. It essentially means Paul was used by God as an instrument to bring about these special miracles. We are His hands on earth! It will be through you as the hands of God on earth that He will fill the earth with His glory. Hallelujah!

MEDITATE

Did Paul perform miracles without laying on his hands on people? What is the meaning of “hands” in the scripture above?

APPLY THE WORD

Whatever God will do on earth, He will use one of us to do it. We are His hands, the instruments by which He performs special miracles! Are you ready for this coming glory? Consecrate yourself. Yield to Him. You are a chosen vessel to express God in the flesh!