Acts 26:1

Authorized King James Version

Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself:

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
Ἀγρίππας
G67
Agrippa
wild-horse tamer; agrippas, one of the herods
#2
δὲ
Then
but, and, etc
#3
πρὸς
unto
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
#4
τὸν
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#5
Παῦλος
Paul
(little; but remotely from a derivative of g3973, meaning the same); paulus, the name of a roman and of an apostle
#6
ἔφη
said
to show or make known one's thoughts, i.e., speak or say
#7
Ἐπιτρέπεταί
art permitted
to turn over (transfer), i.e., allow
#8
σοι
Thou
to thee
#9
ὑπὲρ
for
"over", i.e., (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative case super
#10
σεαυτοῦ
thyself
of (with, to) thyself
#11
λέγειν
to speak
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
#12
τότε
Then
the when, i.e., at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution)
#13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#14
Παῦλος
Paul
(little; but remotely from a derivative of g3973, meaning the same); paulus, the name of a roman and of an apostle
#15
ἀπελογεῖτο
and answered for himself
to give an account (legal plea) of oneself, i.e., exculpate (self)
#16
ἐκτείνας
stretched forth
to extend
#17
τὴν
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#18
χεῖρα
the hand
the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by hebraism) a means or instrument)

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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