Acts 26:6

6 "Today I am on trial because of the hope I have. I believe in what God promised our people long ago.

Acts 26:6 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 26:6

And now I stand, and am judged
Before the Roman governor, and in the presence of Agrippa:

for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers;
either for the hope of righteousness, life, and salvation, by the Messiah; who was promised to the Jewish fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and others; see ( Genesis 22:18 ) ( 49:10 ) or for the hope of the resurrection of the dead, and eternal life; of which there are various testimonies in the writings of the Old Testament, committed to the people of the Jews. ( Job 19:26 Job 19:27 ) ( Isaiah 26:19 ) ( Daniel 12:2 ) and others; and both these senses may be very well joined together, for it was for asserting that the promised Messiah was come, and that Jesus of Nazareth was he; that he was risen from the dead, and that all the dead will be raised by him; and that life and righteousness, salvation, and everlasting glory and happiness, are only by him; for asserting these things, I say, the apostle was now a prisoner, and stood at the bar of a Roman judge, being accused by the Jews.

Acts 26:6 In-Context

4 "The Jews all know how I have lived ever since I was a child. They know all about me from the beginning of my life. They know how I lived in my own country and in Jerusalem.

5 They have known me for a long time. So if they wanted to, they could give witness that I lived by the rules of the Pharisees. Those rules are harder to obey than the rules of any other group in the Jewish faith.

6 "Today I am on trial because of the hope I have. I believe in what God promised our people long ago.

7 It is the promise that our 12 tribes are hoping to see come true. Because of this hope they serve God with a true and honest heart day and night. King Agrippa, it is also because of this hope that the Jews are bringing charges against me.

8 Why should any of you think it is impossible for God to raise the dead?