KJV: Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.
YLT: And Agrippa said unto Paul, 'In a little thou dost persuade me to become a Christian!'
Darby: And Agrippa said to Paul, In a little thou persuadest me to become a Christian.
ASV: And Agrippa'said unto Paul, With but little persuasion thou wouldest fain make me a Christian.
| Ὁ | - |
|
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Singular Root: ὁ Sense: this, that, these, etc. |
|
| Ἀγρίππας | Agrippa |
|
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular Root: Ἀγρίππας Sense: Name of a ruling family in Israel at the time of Christ. |
|
| πρὸς | [said] to |
|
Parse: Preposition Root: πρός Sense: to the advantage of. |
|
| τὸν | - |
|
Parse: Article, Accusative Masculine Singular Root: ὁ Sense: this, that, these, etc. |
|
| Παῦλον | Paul |
|
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular Root: Παῦλος Sense: Paul was the most famous of the apostles and wrote a good part of the NT, the 4 Pauline epistles. |
|
| Ἐν | Within |
|
Parse: Preposition Root: ἐν Sense: in, by, with etc. |
|
| ὀλίγῳ | so little |
|
Parse: Adjective, Dative Neuter Singular Root: ὀλίγος Sense: little, small, few. |
|
| με | me |
|
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Accusative 1st Person Singular Root: ἐγώ Sense: I, me, my. |
|
| πείθεις | do you persuade |
|
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 2nd Person Singular Root: ἐπισείω Sense: persuade. |
|
| Χριστιανὸν | a Christian |
|
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular Root: Χριστιανός Sense: Christian, a follower of Christ. |
|
| ποιῆσαι | to become |
|
Parse: Verb, Aorist Infinitive Active Root: ποιέω Sense: to make. |
|
Greek Commentary for Acts 26:28
The Authorized rendering is impossible: “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.” Εν ολιγωι En oligōi does not mean “almost.” That would require ολιγου παρ ολιγον oligouδει ολιγου par' oligon or εν ολιγοι dei oligou It is not clear, however, precisely what εν μεγαλωι en oligoi does mean. It may refer to time (in little time) or a short cut, but that does not suit well πειτεις en megalōi in Acts 26:29. Tyndale and Crammer rendered it “somewhat” (in small measure or degree). There are, alas, many “somewhat” Christians. Most likely the idea is “in (or with) small effort you are trying to persuade The aorist is punctiliar action for single act, not “perfect.” The tone of Agrippa is ironical, but not unpleasant. He pushes it aside with a shrug of the shoulders. The use of “Christian” is natural here as in the other two instances (Acts 11:26; 1 Peter 4:16). [source]
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 off-hand to be a Christian. ”Thou persuadest ( πείθεις ) is, rather, thou art for persuading; thou attemptest to persuade; a force which both the present and the imperfect sometimes have. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Acts 26:28
The former of these two words, rendered were called, meant, originally, to transact business, to have dealings with; thence, in the course of business, to give audience to, to answer, from which comes its use to denote the responses of an oracle; a divine advice or warning. See Acts 10:22; and compare Matthew 2:12; Hebrews 11:7. Later, it acquires the meaning to bear a name; tobe called, with the implication of a name used in the ordinary transactions and intercourse of men; the name under which one passes. This process of transition appears in the practice of naming men according to their occupations, as, in English, “John the Smith,” “Philip the Armorer;” a practice which is the origin of many familiar family names, such as Butler, Carpenter, Smith, Cooper. Compare in New Testament Alexander the coppersmith (2 Timothy 4:14); Matthew the publican (Matthew 10:3); Luke the physician (Colossians 4:14); Erastus the chamberlain (Romans 16:23); Rahab the harlot (Hebrews 11:31). In the same line is the use of the word calling, to denote one's business. The meaning of the word in this passage is illustrated by Romans 7:3. The disciples were called. They did not assume the name themselves. It occurs in only three passages in the New Testament: here; Acts 26:28; and 1 Peter 4:16; and only in the last-named passage is used by a Christian of a Christian. The name was evidently not given by the Jews of Antioch, to whom Christ was the interpretation of Messiah, and who wouldn't have bestowed that name on those whom they despised as apostates. The Jews designated the Christians as Nazarenes (Acts 24:5), a term of contempt, because it was a proverb that nothing good could come out of Nazareth (John 1:47), The name was probably not assumed by the disciples themselves; for they were in the habit of styling each other believers, disciples, saints, brethren, those of the way. It, doubtless, was bestowed by the Gentiles. Some suppose that it was applied as a term of ridicule, and cite the witty and sarcastic character of the people of Antioch, and their notoriety for inventing names of derision; but this is doubtful. The name may have been given simply as a distinctive title, naturally chosen from the recognized and avowed devotion of the disciples to Christ as their leader. The Antiochenes mistook the nature of the name, not understanding its use among the disciples as an official title- the Anointed - but-DIVIDER- using it as apersonal name, which they converted into a party name. -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- [source]
Imperfect active of peithō either descriptive (were persuading) or conative (were trying to persuade). Paul had great powers of persuasion (Acts 18:4; Acts 19:8, Acts 19:26; Acts 26:28; Acts 28:23; 2 Corinthians 5:11; Galatians 1:10). These Jews “were beginning to understand for the first time the true meaning of their national history” (Furneaux), “the grace of God” to them. [source]
First aorist passive infinitive of συναγω sunagō old verb, probably here to meet together as in Matthew 28:12. In Acts 14:27 the verb is used of gathering together the church, but here εν τηι εκκλησιαι en tēi ekklēsiāi excludes that idea. Barnabas met together “in the church” (note first use of the word for the disciples at Antioch). This peculiar phrase accents the leadership and co-operation of Barnabas and Saul in teaching And that the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch (χρηματισαι τε πρωτως εν Αντιοχειαι τους ματητας Χριστιανους chrēmatisai te prōtōs en Antiocheiāi tous mathētas Christianous). This first active infinitive χρηματισαι chrēmatisai is also a subject of εγενετο egeneto and is added as a separate item by the use of τε te rather than και kai For the word itself in the sense of divine command, see note on Matthew 2:12, note on Matthew 2:22; note on Luke 2:26; and note on Acts 10:22. Here and in Romans 7:3 it means to be called or named (assuming a name from one‘s business, χρημα chrēma from χραομαι chraomai to use or to do business). Polybius uses it in this sense as here. Τους ματητας Tous mathētas (the disciples) is in the accusative of general reference with the infinitive. Χριστιανους Christianous (Christians) is simply predicate accusative. This word is made after the pattern of εροδιανυς Herodianus (Matthew 22:16, ερωιδιανοι Herōidianoi followers of Herod), Χαεσαριανυς Caesarianus a follower of Caesar (Deissmann, Light from the Ancient East, p. 377, gives papyri examples of the genitive Καισαρος Kaisaros meaning also “belonging to Caesar” like the common adjective Χαεσαριανυς Caesarianus). It is made thus like a Latin adjective, though it is a Greek word, and it refers to the Hebrew belief in a Messiah (Page). The name was evidently given to the followers of Christ by the Gentiles to distinguish them from the Jews since they were Greeks, not Grecian Jews. The Jews would not call them Christians because of their own use of Χριστος Christos the Messiah. The Jews termed them Galileans or Nazarenes. The followers of Christ called themselves disciples (learners), believers, brethren, saints, those of the Way. The three uses of Christian in the N.T. are from the heathen standpoint (here), Acts 26:28 (a term of contempt in the mouth of Agrippa), and 1 Peter 4:16 (persecution from the Roman government). It is a clear distinction from both Jews and Gentiles and it is not strange that it came into use first here in Antioch when the large Greek church gave occasion for it. Later Ignatius was bishop in Antioch and was given to the lions in Rome, and John Chrysostom preached here his wonderful sermons. [source]
This first active infinitive χρηματισαι chrēmatisai is also a subject of εγενετο egeneto and is added as a separate item by the use of τε te rather than και kai For the word itself in the sense of divine command, see note on Matthew 2:12, note on Matthew 2:22; note on Luke 2:26; and note on Acts 10:22. Here and in Romans 7:3 it means to be called or named (assuming a name from one‘s business, χρημα chrēma from χραομαι chraomai to use or to do business). Polybius uses it in this sense as here. Τους ματητας Tous mathētas (the disciples) is in the accusative of general reference with the infinitive. Χριστιανους Christianous (Christians) is simply predicate accusative. This word is made after the pattern of εροδιανυς Herodianus (Matthew 22:16, ερωιδιανοι Herōidianoi followers of Herod), Χαεσαριανυς Caesarianus a follower of Caesar (Deissmann, Light from the Ancient East, p. 377, gives papyri examples of the genitive Καισαρος Kaisaros meaning also “belonging to Caesar” like the common adjective Χαεσαριανυς Caesarianus). It is made thus like a Latin adjective, though it is a Greek word, and it refers to the Hebrew belief in a Messiah (Page). The name was evidently given to the followers of Christ by the Gentiles to distinguish them from the Jews since they were Greeks, not Grecian Jews. The Jews would not call them Christians because of their own use of Χριστος Christos the Messiah. The Jews termed them Galileans or Nazarenes. The followers of Christ called themselves disciples (learners), believers, brethren, saints, those of the Way. The three uses of Christian in the N.T. are from the heathen standpoint (here), Acts 26:28 (a term of contempt in the mouth of Agrippa), and 1 Peter 4:16 (persecution from the Roman government). It is a clear distinction from both Jews and Gentiles and it is not strange that it came into use first here in Antioch when the large Greek church gave occasion for it. Later Ignatius was bishop in Antioch and was given to the lions in Rome, and John Chrysostom preached here his wonderful sermons. [source]
Of the worshipping proselytes described in Acts 13:16, Acts 13:25 as “those who fear God” (cf. Acts 16:14) employed usually of the uncircumcised Gentiles who yet attended the synagogue worship, but the word προσηλυτοι prosēlutoi Yet the rabbis used it also of proselytes of the gate who had not yet become circumcised, probably the idea here. In the N.T. the word occurs only in Matthew 23:15; Acts 2:10; Acts 6:5; Acts 13:43. Many (both Jews and proselytes) followed Imperfect active of peithō either descriptive (were persuading) or conative (were trying to persuade). Paul had great powers of persuasion (Acts 18:4; Acts 19:8, Acts 19:26; Acts 26:28; Acts 28:23; 2 Corinthians 5:11; Galatians 1:10). These Jews “were beginning to understand for the first time the true meaning of their national history” (Furneaux), “the grace of God” to them. [source]
First aorist active indicative of προγραπω prographō as in Romans 15:4, not picture forth as Galatians 3:1. But when and where? Epistolary aorist for this Epistle? That is possible. A previous and lost Epistle as in 1 Corinthians 5:9 ? That also is abstractly possible. To the preceding discussion of the Gentiles? Possible and also probable. In few words (εν ολιγωι en oligōi). Not = προ ολιγου pro oligou shortly before, but as in Acts 26:28 “in brief space or time” = συντονως suntonōs (Acts 24:4), “briefly.” [source]
Not = προ ολιγου pro oligou shortly before, but as in Acts 26:28 “in brief space or time” = συντονως suntonōs (Acts 24:4), “briefly.” [source]
“The beautiful name.”By the which ye were called (το επικλητεν επ υμας to epiklēthen eph' humās). “The one called upon you” (first aorist passive articular participle of επικαλεω epikaleō to put a name upon, to give a surname to, as Acts 10:18). What name is that? Almost certainly the name of Christ as we see it in Acts 11:26; Acts 26:28; 1 Peter 4:14, 1 Peter 4:16. It was blasphemy to speak against Christ as some Jews and Gentiles were doing (Acts 13:45; Acts 18:6; Acts 26:11; 1 Corinthians 12:3; 1 Timothy 1:13). Cf. Acts 15:17. [source]
“The one called upon you” (first aorist passive articular participle of επικαλεω epikaleō to put a name upon, to give a surname to, as Acts 10:18). What name is that? Almost certainly the name of Christ as we see it in Acts 11:26; Acts 26:28; 1 Peter 4:14, 1 Peter 4:16. It was blasphemy to speak against Christ as some Jews and Gentiles were doing (Acts 13:45; Acts 18:6; Acts 26:11; 1 Corinthians 12:3; 1 Timothy 1:13). Cf. Acts 15:17. [source]
Supply the verb πασχει paschei (condition of first class, “if one suffer as a Christian”). This word occurs only three times in the N.T. (Acts 11:26; Acts 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16). It is word of Latin formation coined to distinguish followers of Christ from Jews and Gentiles (Acts 11:26). Each instance bears that idea. It is not the usual term at first like ματηται mathētai (disciples), saints By a.d. 64 the name Christian was in common use in Rome (Tacitus, Ann. XV. 44). Owing to itacism it was sometimes spelled Χρηστιανοι Chrēstianoi (ι ει iη ei and μη αισχυνεστω ē pronounced alike). [source]
His fellow-Christian. The singular, brother, is characteristic of this Epistle. See 1 John 2:10, 1 John 2:11; 1 John 3:10, 1 John 3:15, 1 John 3:17; 1 John 4:20, 1 John 4:21; 1 John 5:16. Christians are called in the New Testament, Christians (Acts 11:26; Acts 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16), mainly by those outside of the Christian circle. Disciples, applied to all followers of Christ (John 2:11; John 6:61) and strictly to the twelve (John 13:5sqq.). In Acts 19:1, to those who had received only John's baptism. Not found in John's Epistles nor in Revelation. Brethren. The first title given to the body of believers after the Ascension (Acts 1:15, where the true reading is ἀδελφῶν brethrenfor μαθητῶν disciples). See Acts 9:30; Acts 10:23; Acts 11:29; 1 Thessalonians 4:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:26; 1 John 3:14; 3 John 1:5, 3 John 1:10; John 21:23. Peter has ἡ ἀδελφότης thebrotherhood (1 Peter 2:17; 1 Peter 5:9). The believers. Under three forms: The believers ( οἱ πιστοί ; Acts 10:45; 1 Timothy 4:12); they that believe ( οἱ πιστεύοντες ; 1 Peter 2:7; 1 Thessalonians 1:7; Ephesians 1:19); they that believed ( οἱ πιστεύσαντες ; Acts 2:44; Acts 4:32; Hebrews 4:3). The saints ( οἱ ἅγιοι ); characteristic of Paul and Revelation. Four times in the Acts (Acts 9:13, Acts 9:32, Acts 9:41; Acts 26:10), and once in Jude (Judges 1:3). Also Hebrews 6:10; Hebrews 13:24. In Paul, 1 Corinthians 6:1; 1 Corinthians 14:33; Ephesians 1:1, Ephesians 1:15, etc. In Revelation 5:8; Revelation 8:3, Revelation 8:4; Revelation 11:18, etc.|Until now ( ἕως ἄρτι )|Though the light has been increasing, and though he may claim that he has been in the light from the first. The phrase occurs in John 2:10; John 5:17; John 16:24; and is used by Paul, 1 Corinthians 4:13; 1 Corinthians 8:7; 1 Corinthians 15:6.| [source]