Acts 26:6Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

He offers two proofs of the resurrection. One is from the prophets, though he does not cite the prophecy, but rather the Jews’ opinion about it...

The speech of the Apostle Paul at this trial, in the presence of King Agrippa, is likewise a defense, as was his speech before the Jews on the steps of the Jerusalem fortress. But because the Apostle now spoke with greater freedom than he had then before a crowd of fanatics, and because he was not interrupted in his speech and could express himself fully. He defends himself here in such a way that at the same time he gives solemn witness to Christ, dead and risen, according to the prophecy of Moses and the other ancient prophets. He also summons his hearers to repentance and conversion to God.

Therefore he asked to be heard patiently and once more set forth the familiar history of his conversion from a strict and fanatical Pharisee to the faith. He declared that the messianic hope of his people had already truly been fulfilled in the person of that Jesus of Nazareth.

At first Paul had fiercely persecuted His followers. But Jesus personally revealed His glory to him and brought him to the knowledge that He had risen from the dead. Why could this faith seem improbable even to his hearers?

At first it had been such even for him. But how could he resist the personal testimony of Christ Himself? And how could he disobey the heavenly voice, which sent him to open the eyes of Jews and Gentiles?

"And now I stand," and so forth: from the remembrance of his life from youth, the Apostle quickly moves in thought and word to his present position as a prisoner under trial. He points to their outward contrast and to their inward unity.

Formerly I was known as a disciple of the strictest Jewish orthodoxy. Now I am known as one under trial. Yet I am not a traitor to my former convictions. I am not being judged for betraying them, nor for heterodoxy.

On the contrary, I am being judged for the hope that I share with all the Jews, the hope in God's promise to the fathers. All the Jews eagerly await its fulfillment, and I with them. "Is it not madness to strive in every way for this hope to be fulfilled, and then to persecute one who believes in it?"; Chrysostom.

Hope in the Messiah and Savior is the Apostle's chief teaching. In this hope the faith of the forefathers of the Jewish people was centered. In it the Jews of his own day hoped. For it Paul suffered and was judged, proclaiming that the expected Messiah had appeared in Jesus of Nazareth, Who was crucified, died, and rose by the power of the Godhead. Probably, when resurrection was mentioned, some of the hearers showed their unbelief. The members of the Athenian Areopagus expressed this more decisively; see Acts 17:32. Therefore it is understandable that the Apostle interrupted the natural course of his speech and asked what was incredible in the almighty God raising the dead.