Acts 26:18Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Having spoken of the vision, he next speaks fearlessly also of deeds. What deeds? “To open their eyes,” he says, “so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God.” See how he points to the evil that holds unbelievers: Satan and darkness. He also points to the blessings of believers, which are light, God, and the inheritance of the saints. He exhorts them not simply to repent, but also to show a life worthy of admiration. And see how everywhere in his speech he mentions the Gentiles, because there were Gentiles among those present.

The speech of the Apostle Paul at this trial, in the presence of King Agrippa, is likewise a defense, just as his speech before the Jews on the steps of the Jerusalem fortress was. But now the Apostle spoke with greater freedom than he had then, before a crowd of fanatics. Since he was not interrupted and could speak fully, he defended himself in such a way that he also bore solemn witness to Christ. He testified that Christ had died and risen, according to the prophecy of Moses and the other ancient prophets. He also called his hearers to repentance and conversion to God.

Encouraged by these consoling words, Saul wished to know what was required of him in order to correspond to the new ministry laid upon him. He received the answer that this would be revealed to him in Damascus.

Therefore he asked them to hear him patiently, and once more recounted the well-known story of his conversion. He had turned from being a strict and fanatical Pharisee to faith. He declared that his people's messianic hope had already truly been fulfilled in Jesus the Nazarene. At first he had fiercely persecuted His followers. But Christ personally revealed His glory to him and brought him to know that He had risen from the dead. Why might this faith have seemed implausible even to his hearers? At first it had seemed so to him as well. Yet how could he withstand the personal testimony of Christ Himself? How could he disobey the heavenly voice? That voice sent him to open the eyes of both Jews and Gentiles, so that they might turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Thus, through faith in Jesus, they might receive forgiveness of sins and a portion among the saints. He was not disobedient to this command; for detailed interpretation, see Acts 22:3-21.

The purpose of Paul's mission to Jews and Gentiles is "to open their eyes." This figuratively expresses the opening of their inward understanding to the knowledge of God's truth. It is the same as enlightening them with the light of truth; cf. the note on Mt 4:16. The purpose of this opening of their eyes is that they should turn. This conversion is characterized by two corresponding opposites. On one side are darkness and the kingdom of Satan, and on the other are light and God. They are now turned toward the former and must turn away from them. They are now turned away from the latter and must turn toward them. Darkness and light are images of spiritual obscurity and illumination.

The Apostle speaks of his great calling as an inspired chosen one of God. The solemnity and loftiness of the tone are especially strengthened because he speaks in the person of the Lord Himself. Something is heard here like what was said, and how it was said, about the calling of the prophet and Forerunner of the Lord, John, by his father Zacharias. This likeness especially concerns the Lord's illumination of people; see verse 18 and Lk 1:79. It also concerns forgiveness of sins; see verse 18 and Lk 1:77. The salvation spoken of there is mentioned here under the image of the lot, or inheritance, of the saints. This means eternal blessedness in the Kingdom of Heaven. There is mention there of darkness and of light from the dayspring on high.