<p>8:21 <em>You have neither part nor share in this matter</em>- &quot;Matter&quot; is<em> logos</em>, usually translated &quot;word&quot;, and used in the context about the word of the Lord which the Samaritans had responded to (8:4,14,25). &quot;Part&quot; is often used about a 'part' in an inheritance. Simon was not in line to share in the promised inheritance, which all true believers were experiencing and would experience. And neither was he any elder in this new community; for &quot;share&quot; or &quot;lot&quot; is a reference to the LXX of Num. 26:55 which speaks of the lot of the priests in service. Simon had no part in the work of the new priesthood / leadership, nor did he even have a part in the general inheritance of all believers. The Greek words for &quot;part... share&quot; are often used together in Deuteronomy (LXX) concerning how the Levites had no part nor share in the inheritance of Canaan (Dt. 12:12; 14:27,29; 18:1). They are also used together in Col. 1:12, of <em>partaking </em>in the <em>inheritance</em> of the saints. Simon had no inheritance in the word of the Kingdom. Another possibility is that a &quot;part&quot; refers to what is purchased, and &quot;share&quot; or &quot;lot&quot; is what is distributed freely; as if to say that Simon had no part in the word / <em>logos </em>/ intention of the Gospel, whether by purchasing it or by being given it freely.</p><p><em>Because your heart is not right before God</em>- Quoting Ps. 78:37 LXX about Israel in the wilderness, whose heart was in Egypt, whatever appearance they gave of journeying with God. This quotation, along with the previous allusions in this verse to Simon not having his inheritance in Canaan, rather suggests that Simon was Jewish. He had a Jewish name, after all, and was acting like Israel of old. The conversion of Cornelius in Acts 10 is surely framed as &quot;the conversion of the Gentiles&quot;, and it was this baptism which provoked the debate about the inclusion of the Gentiles. We can assume therefore that the Lord considered Samaritans as Jews; and the Samaritans practiced circumcision and considered themselves to be part of God's covenant people. My point is that these Old Testament allusions would not have been lost upon Simon, being a Jew.</p><p>&quot;Before God&quot; is literally 'in the face / presence of God'. Our innermost thoughts and subconscious motives, as in Simon's case, his fantasy of selling Holy Spirit to Christians, are directly before the face of God Almighty, which face we cannot currently come before in our own flesh.</p>