Nowhere else is there such deliverance from the glare and cross-lights of earth as is afforded by a vision of the face of Jesus, brighter than the sun at noon. To everyone there comes the opportunity of catching a vision of that face, sometimes reflected in a human one, as Paul first saw it in the countenance of Stephen. It confronts us when we go on forbidden paths, and summons us to arise and follow the life which is life indeed.
Acts 26:16 : What we have seen is only a part of the great unveiling. He will show us other and greater things than these. Acts 26:17 : We shall be delivered, even as we are sent. The Master holds Himself responsible for our safety while we are engaged in His work. Acts 26:18 : We have here an anticipation of Colossians 1:19.
We must not disobey the heavenly visions that visit us. When Paul in his dream beheld the beckoning Macedonian, he made a straight course for Europe. Sometimes, in obeying, the first appearances are discouraging, as when the missionaries, on landing at Philippi, met only a few women beside the little river; but the final results will justify the first stepping-out of faith. [source]
Chapter Summary: Acts 26
1Paul, in the presence of Agrippa, declares his life from his childhood; 12and how miraculously he was converted, and called to his apostleship 24Festus charges him with being insane, whereunto he answers modestly 28Agrippa is almost persuaded to be a Christian 31The whole company pronounces him innocent
Greek Commentary for Acts 26:17
Delivering thee [εχαιρουμενος σε] Present middle participle of εχαιρεω exaireō old verb and usually so rendered, but the old Greek also uses it for “choose” as also in lxx (Isaiah 48:10). The papyri give examples of both meanings and either makes good sense here. God was continually rescuing Paul “out of the hands of Jews and Gentiles and Paul was a chosen vessel” (Acts 9:15). Modern scholars are also divided. [source]
Acts 13:9Filled with the Holy Spirit [πιμπλημι] First aorist (ingressive) passive participle of ατενισας pimplēmi with the genitive case. A special influx of power to meet this emergency. Here was a cultured heathen, typical of the best in Roman life, who called forth all the powers of Paul plus the special help of the Holy Spirit to expose the wickedness of Elymas Barjesus. If one wonders why the Holy Spirit filled Paul for this emergency rather than Barnabas, when Barnabas was named first in Acts 13:2, he can recall the sovereignty of the Holy Spirit in his choice of agents (1 Corinthians 12:4-11) and also the special call of Paul by Christ (Acts 9:15; Acts 26:17.). Fastened his eyes (atenisas). As already in Luke 4:20; Luke 22:56; Acts 3:4,Acts 3:12; Acts 6:15; Acts 10:4. [source]
Acts 26:23How that he first by the resurrection of the dead [ει] Same construction with πρωτος ei (whether). This point Paul had often discussed with the Jews: “whether he (the Messiah) by a resurrection of dead people.” Others had been raised from the dead, but Christ is the first Paul is still speaking from the Jewish standpoint: “is about to (going to) proclaim light.” See Acts 26:18 for “light” and Luke 2:32. Both to the people and to the Gentiles (ετνη tōi te laōi kai tois ethnesin). See Acts 26:17. It was at the word Gentiles (αναστασις ethnē) that the mob lost control of themselves in the speech from the stairs (Acts 22:21.). So it is here, only not because of that word, but because of the word “resurrection” (anastasis). [source]
Acts 26:23Both to the people and to the Gentiles [ετνη] See Acts 26:17. It was at the word Gentiles So it is here, only not because of that word, but because of the word “resurrection” (anastasis). [source]
Greek Commentary for Acts 26:17
Present middle participle of εχαιρεω exaireō old verb and usually so rendered, but the old Greek also uses it for “choose” as also in lxx (Isaiah 48:10). The papyri give examples of both meanings and either makes good sense here. God was continually rescuing Paul “out of the hands of Jews and Gentiles and Paul was a chosen vessel” (Acts 9:15). Modern scholars are also divided. [source]
The Jews. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Acts 26:17
First aorist (ingressive) passive participle of ατενισας pimplēmi with the genitive case. A special influx of power to meet this emergency. Here was a cultured heathen, typical of the best in Roman life, who called forth all the powers of Paul plus the special help of the Holy Spirit to expose the wickedness of Elymas Barjesus. If one wonders why the Holy Spirit filled Paul for this emergency rather than Barnabas, when Barnabas was named first in Acts 13:2, he can recall the sovereignty of the Holy Spirit in his choice of agents (1 Corinthians 12:4-11) and also the special call of Paul by Christ (Acts 9:15; Acts 26:17.). Fastened his eyes (atenisas). As already in Luke 4:20; Luke 22:56; Acts 3:4, Acts 3:12; Acts 6:15; Acts 10:4. [source]
Same construction with πρωτος ei (whether). This point Paul had often discussed with the Jews: “whether he (the Messiah) by a resurrection of dead people.” Others had been raised from the dead, but Christ is the first Paul is still speaking from the Jewish standpoint: “is about to (going to) proclaim light.” See Acts 26:18 for “light” and Luke 2:32. Both to the people and to the Gentiles (ετνη tōi te laōi kai tois ethnesin). See Acts 26:17. It was at the word Gentiles (αναστασις ethnē) that the mob lost control of themselves in the speech from the stairs (Acts 22:21.). So it is here, only not because of that word, but because of the word “resurrection” (anastasis). [source]
See Acts 26:17. It was at the word Gentiles So it is here, only not because of that word, but because of the word “resurrection” (anastasis). [source]