Act 26:6-8 | RWP | e4.org | And now ( κα νυν ). Sharp comparison between his youth and the present. To be judged for the hope ( επ' ελπιδι--κρινομενος ). The hope of the resurrection and of the promised Messiah ( ). Page calls verses a parenthesis in the course of Paul's argument by which he shows that his life in Christ is a real development of the best in Pharisaism. He does resume his narrative in verse , but verses are the core of his defence already presented in ; where he proves that the children of faith are the real seed of Abraham.

‏ Acts 26:6-8

And now ( κα νυν ). Sharp comparison between his youth and the present.

To be judged for the hope ( επ' ελπιδι--κρινομενος ). The hope of the resurrection and of the promised Messiah (13:32). Page calls verses 6-8 a parenthesis in the course of Paul's argument by which he shows that his life in Christ is a real development of the best in Pharisaism. He does resume his narrative in verse 9, but verses 6-8 are the core of his defence already presented in Ga 3; Ro 9-11 where he proves that the children of faith are the real seed of Abraham.

Our twelve tribes ( το δωδεκαφυλον ημων ). A word found only here in N.T. and in Christian and Jewish writings, though δωδεκαμηνον (twelve month) is common in the papyri and δεκαφυλος (ten tribes) in Herodotus. Paul's use of this word for the Jewish people, like Jas 1:1 ( ταις δωδεκα φυλαις, the twelve tribes), shows that Paul had no knowledge of any "lost ten tribes." There is a certain national pride and sense of unity in spite of the dispersion (Page).

Earnestly ( εν εκτενεια ). A late word from εκτεινω, to stretch out, only here in N.T., but in papyri and inscriptions. Page refers to Simeon and Anna (Lu 2:25-28) as instances of Jews looking for the coming of the Messiah. Note the accusative of νυκτα κα ημεραν as in 20:31.

Hope to attain ( ελπιζε καταντησα ). This Messianic hope had been the red thread running through Jewish history. Today, alas, it is a sadly worn thread for Jews who refuse to see the Messiah in Jesus.

I am accused by Jews ( εγκαλουμα υπο Ιουδαιων ). The very word used in 23:28 ( ενεκαλουν ) which see, and by Jews of all people in the world whose mainspring was this very "hope." It is a tremendously effective turn.

Incredible with you ( απιστον παρ' υμιν ). This old word απιστον ( α privative and πιστος ) means either unfaithful (Lu 12:46), unbelieving (Joh 20:27), or unbelievable as here). Paul turns suddenly from Agrippa to the audience ( παρ' υμιν, plural), most of whom were probably Gentiles and scouted the doctrine of the resurrection as at Athens (17:32).

If God doth raise the dead ( ε ο θεος νεκρους εγειρε ). Condition of the first class assuming that God does raise dead people. Only God can do it. This rhetorical question needs no answer, though the narrative resumed in verse 9 does it in a way.