# Laid Waste ## Ignatius Catholic Study Bible *Laid Waste* ([[acts-of-the-apostles-08#^acts-of-the-apostles-08-3|Acts 8:3]]) – *Lymaino* (Gk.): means to \"ravage\" or \"bring to ruin\" and is found only here in the NT. It was used in Greek literature of wild animals ravaging field crops ([[psalm-80#^psalm-80-13|Ps 80:13]]), kings authorizing human cruelties ([[2-chronicles-16#^2-chronicles-16-10|2 Chron 16:10]]), and armies devastating cities and countrysides (Josephus). Here it underscores the intensity and brutality of Saul\'s attack on the budding Christian movement. Saul himself, following his dramatic conversion, informs us that imprisonments, beatings, and even votes for execution were among his tactics ([[acts-of-the-apostles-09#^acts-of-the-apostles-09-1|Acts 9:1]]; [[acts-of-the-apostles-22#^acts-of-the-apostles-22-4|22:4]]; [[acts-of-the-apostles-26#^acts-of-the-apostles-26-9|26:9-11]]). The point is that Saul was no; [[acts-of-the-apostles-26#^acts-of-the-apostles-26-9|26:9-11]]). The point is that Saul was not merely ). The point is that Saul was not merely harassing the young Church; he wanted to stamp both her faith and her followers out of existence. Years later he was haunted by these violent memories and declared himself \"unfit to be called an apostle\" ([[1-corinthians-15#^1-corinthians-15-9|1 Cor 15:9]]) and even \"the foremost of sinners\" ([[1-timothy-01#^1-timothy-01-15|1 Tim 1:15]]). ### Source [Laid Waste — word study]