Acts 26:15-18

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 26:17

Verse 17− 17.Delivering thee. He is armed in this place against all fear, which was prepared for him; and also he is prepared to bear the cross; notwithstanding, seeing he addeth immediately that Paul should come to lighten the blind, to reconcile those to God which were estranged from him, and to restore salvation to those which were lost; it is a marvel why he doth not also promise that they shall on the other side receive him joyfully, who shall by means of him receive such and so great... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 26:18

Verse 18− 18.That thou mayest open their eyes. Paul, in taking to himself that which is proper to God, doth seem to exalt himself too high. For we know that it is the Holy Ghost alone which doth lighten the eyes. We know that Christ is the only Redeemer which doth deliver us from the tyranny of Satan. We know that it is God alone who, having put away our sins, doth adopt us unto the inheritance of the saints. But this is a common thing, that God doth translate unto his ministers that honor... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 26:1-26

The apology. We are struck with a contrast between the conduct of our Lord when he stood before the bar of Caiaphas and of Pontius Pilate, and that of St. Paul when he was brought before Festus and Agrippa. It is written of Jesus, when the Jews accused him before Caiaphas, that "he held his peace." And again, as he stood before Pontius Pilate the governor, when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, that he answered nothing. And even when Pilate himself appealed to him, he gave... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 26:1-32

Paul before Festus and Agrippa. His address may be divided as follows:— I. THE REMARKABLE STORY OF HIS LIFE . ( Acts 26:1-18 .) 1. His life in Judaism. He had been brought up, as all knew, in the strictest sect of his religion, a Pharisee. Paul's example, it has been remarked, lends no countenance to the fallacy that dissolute students make the best preachers. He had been conscientious from the first, a friend of virtue, and a servant of the Law. He had not... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 26:1-32

The apostolic defense in the presence of Festus and Agrippa. I. THE BEARING OF THE MAN . Dignity, gentleness, courtesy—a true Christian gentleman. II. THE APPEAL TO FACTS . The incontrovertible evidence. "Once I was a persecutor; now I am a disciple." III. THE PROCLAMATION OF A DIVINE MISSION . Showing that there was reason in his firmness and confidence; he was divinely sent and would be divinely cared for. IV. THE CHALLENGE TO TRY ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 26:15

The Lord for he, A.V. and T.R. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 26:16

Arise for rise , A.V.; to this end have I, etc., for I have, etc., for this purpose, A.V.; appoint for make, A.V.; the things wherein thou hast seen me for these things which thou hast seen, A.V. and T.R.; the things wherein for those things in the which, A.V. For to this end have I appeared , etc. On comparing this statement with those in Acts 9:6 and Acts 22:10 , Acts 22:14 , Acts 22:15 , it appears that in this condensed account given before King Agrippa, St.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 26:16-18

Minister and messenger. The charge given by the manifested Savior to the stricken and awakened Saul is one which, in a true sense, though in smaller measure, we can apply to ourselves. We look at— I. THE TWOFOLD RELATION IN WHICH HE WAS TO STAND . "To make thee a minister and a witness." Paul was to be II. THE TWOFOLD SOURCE WHENCE HE WAS TO DRAW HIS MESSAGE . He was to bear witness "both of these things which he had seen, and of those things... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 26:17

Unto whom for unto whom note, A.V. Unto [the Gentiles] . These seem to be the words heard in the trance reported in Acts 22:21 , the sequel to which, as contained in Acts 22:18 , the apostle would then have recited, had he not been cut short by the furious cries of the Jews. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 26:18

That they may turn for and to turn them, A.V. and T.R.; remission for forgiveness, A.V.; an inheritance for in heritance, A.V.; that for which, A.V.; faith in me for faith that is in me, A.V. To open their eyes (comp. Luke 4:18 and the LXX . of Isaiah 61:1 ; 2 Corinthians 4:4-6 , etc.). That they may turn from darkness to light (comp. Colossians 1:12 , Colossians 1:13 ; Ephesians 5:8 ; 1 Peter 2:9 , etc.). Remission of sins (see Acts 2:38 ; Acts... read more

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