Bible Commentaries
Acts 26

Verse 2

Happy [μακαριον] . See on blessed, Matthew 5:3.

Answer [απολογεισθαι] . See on 1 Peter 3:15.

Verse 3

Expert [γνωστην] . Lit., a knower.

Questions [ζητηματων] . See on ch. Acts 14:2.

Verse 4

My manner of life, etc. The repeated articles give additional precision to the statement : "the manner of life, that which was from my youth; that which was from the beginning."

Verse 6

For the hope [επ ελπιδι] . Lit., "on the ground of the hope."

Made of God. The article clearly defines what promise, "the one, namely, made of God."

Verse 7

Twelve tribes [δωδεκαφυλον] . Only here in New Testament. A collective term, embracing the tribes as a whole. Meyer renders our twelve - tribe - stock.

Instantly [εν εκτενεια] . Only here in New Testament. Lit., in intensity. See on fervently, 1 Peter 1:22. Compare more earnestly, Luke 22:44; without ceasing, Acts 12:5; fervent, 1 Peter 4:8. See, also, on instantly and instant, Luke 7:4; Luke 23:23.

Serving. Compare ch. 24 14; and see on Luke 1:74.

Come [καταντησαι] . Lit., to arrive at, as if at a goal. Compare ch. Acts 16:1; Acts 18:19; Acts 25:13, etc. Rev. attain.

Verse 8

That God should raise the dead [ει ο θεος νεκρους εγειρει] . Much better, as Rev., if God raises the dead. He does not put it as a supposition, but as a fact : if God raises the dead, as you admit that he has the power to do, and as your own writings tell you that he has done.

Verse 10

Saints [των αγιων] . Lit., the holy ones. Paul did not call the Christians by this name when addressing the Jews, for this would have enraged them; but before Agrippa he uses the word without fear of giving offense. On this word agiov, holy, which occurs over two hundred times in the New Testament, it is to be noted how the writers of the Greek scriptures, both in the New Testament and, what is more remarkable, in the Septuagint, bring it out from the background in which it was left by classical writers, and give preference to it over words which, in pagan usage, represented conceptions of mere externality in religion. Even in the Old Testament, where externality is emphasized, agiov is the standard word for holy. 28 Gave my voice [κατηνεγκα ψηφον] . Lit., laid down my vote. See on counteth, Luke 14:28. Some suppose that Paul here refers to casting his vote as a member of the Sanhedrim; in which case he must have been married and the father of a family. But this there is no reason for believing (compare 1 Corinthians 7:7, 1 Corinthians 7:8); and the phrase may be taken as expressing merely moral assent and approval.

Verse 12

Whereupon [εν οις] . See on ch. Acts 24:18. Better, on which errand; in which affairs of persecution.

Verse 13

Above the brightness of the sun. Peculiar to this third account of Paul 's conversion. The other peculiarities are : the falling of his companions to the ground along with himself; the voice addressing him in Hebrew; and the words, "It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks."

Verse 14

It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. Or, goads. The sharp goad carried in the ploughman's hand, against which the oxen kick on being pricked. The metaphor, though not found in Jewish writings, was common in Greek and Roman writings. Thus, Euripides (" Bacchae, "791) :" Being enraged, I would kick against the goads, a mortal against a God. "Plautus (" Truculentus, 4, 2, 55) :" If you strike the goads with your fists, you hurt your hands more than the goads. "" Who knows whether at that moment the operation of ploughing might not be going on within sight of the road along which the persecutor was traveling? (Howson," Metaphors of St. Paul ").

Verse 16

Have I appeared [ωφθην] . See on Luke 22:43.

To make [προχειρισασθαι] . Better, as Rev., appoint. See on ch. Acts 3:20. A minister and a witness. See on Matthew 5:25; Acts 1:22.

Verse 17

The people. The Jews.

Verse 22

Help of God [επικουριας της παρα του θεου] . Lit., "help that is from God." The article defines the nature of the help more sharply than A. V. The word for help originally meant alliance.

Verse 23

That Christ should suffer [ει παθητος ο χριστος] . Rather, if or whether the Messiah is liable to suffering. He expresses himself in a problematic form, because it was the point of debate among the Jews whether a suffering Messiah was to be believed in. They believed in a triumphant Messiah, and the doctrine of his sufferings was an obstacle to their receiving him as Messiah. Note the article, "the Christ," and see on Matthew 1:1.

Verse 24

Much learning doth make thee mad [τα πολλα σε γραμματα εις μανιαν περιτρεπει] . The A. V. omits the article with much learning : "the much knowledge" with which thou art busied. Rev., "thy much learning." Doth make thee mad : literally, is turning thee to madness.

Verse 25

Speak forth [αποφθεγγομαι] . See on ch. Acts 2:4.

Verse 28

Almost thou persuadest [εν ολιγω με πειθεις] . Lit., in a little thou persuadest. The rendering almost must be rejected, being without sufficient authority. The phrase, in a little, is adverbial, and means in brief; summarily. We may supply pains or talk. "With little pains, or with a few words." The words are ironical, and the sense is, "You are trying to persuade me offhand to be a Christian." Thou persuadest [πειθεις] is rather, thou art for persuading; thou attemptest to persuade; a force which both the present and the imperfect sometimes have. 29

Verse 29

Almost and altogether [εν ολιγω και εν μεγαλω] . 30 Lit., in little and in great; i e., with little or with great pains.

Were [γενεσθαι] . Better, as Rev., might become. Agrippa 's word, "to become a Christian," is repeated.

Except these bonds. An exquisite touch of Christian courtesy.

Verse 30

The king, the governor, Bernice. Mentioned in the order of their rank.

Verse 31

Doeth. Referring, not to Paul 's past conduct, but to the general character of his life.