Acts Chapter 26 · Verse 22

Authorized King James Version

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Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:

Original Language Analysis

ἐπικουρίας help G1947
ἐπικουρίας help
Strong's: G1947
Word #: 1 of 29
assistance
οὖν therefore G3767
οὖν therefore
Strong's: G3767
Word #: 2 of 29
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
τυχὼν Having G5177
τυχὼν Having
Strong's: G5177
Word #: 3 of 29
akin to the base of g5088 through the idea of effecting; properly, to affect; or (specially), to hit or light upon (as a mark to be reached), i.e., (t
τῆς G3588
τῆς
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 4 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
παρὰ of G3844
παρὰ of
Strong's: G3844
Word #: 5 of 29
properly, near; i.e., (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subj
τοῦ G3588
τοῦ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 6 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ God G2316
θεοῦ God
Strong's: G2316
Word #: 7 of 29
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ἄχρι unto G891
ἄχρι unto
Strong's: G891
Word #: 8 of 29
(of time) until or (of place) up to
τῆς G3588
τῆς
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 9 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἡμέρας day G2250
ἡμέρας day
Strong's: G2250
Word #: 10 of 29
day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of
ταύτης G3778
ταύτης
Strong's: G3778
Word #: 11 of 29
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
ἕστηκα I continue G2476
ἕστηκα I continue
Strong's: G2476
Word #: 12 of 29
to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively)
μαρτυρούμενος witnessing G3140
μαρτυρούμενος witnessing
Strong's: G3140
Word #: 13 of 29
to be a witness, i.e., testify (literally or figuratively)
μικρῷ to small G3398
μικρῷ to small
Strong's: G3398
Word #: 14 of 29
small (in size, quantity, number or (figuratively) dignity)
τε both G5037
τε both
Strong's: G5037
Word #: 15 of 29
both or also (properly, as correlation of g2532)
καὶ and G2532
καὶ and
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 16 of 29
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
μεγάλῳ great G3173
μεγάλῳ great
Strong's: G3173
Word #: 17 of 29
big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application)
οὐδὲν none other things G3762
οὐδὲν none other things
Strong's: G3762
Word #: 18 of 29
not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing
ἐκτὸς than G1622
ἐκτὸς than
Strong's: G1622
Word #: 19 of 29
the exterior; figuratively (as a preposition) aside from, besides
λέγων saying G3004
λέγων saying
Strong's: G3004
Word #: 20 of 29
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
ὧν those which G3739
ὧν those which
Strong's: G3739
Word #: 21 of 29
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
τε both G5037
τε both
Strong's: G5037
Word #: 22 of 29
both or also (properly, as correlation of g2532)
οἱ G3588
οἱ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 23 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
προφῆται the prophets G4396
προφῆται the prophets
Strong's: G4396
Word #: 24 of 29
a foreteller ("prophet"); by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet
ἐλάλησαν did say G2980
ἐλάλησαν did say
Strong's: G2980
Word #: 25 of 29
to talk, i.e., utter words
μελλόντων should G3195
μελλόντων should
Strong's: G3195
Word #: 26 of 29
to intend, i.e., be about to be, do, or suffer something (of persons or things, especially events; in the sense of purpose, duty, necessity, probabili
γίνεσθαι come G1096
γίνεσθαι come
Strong's: G1096
Word #: 27 of 29
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
καὶ and G2532
καὶ and
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 28 of 29
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Μωσῆς, Moses G3475
Μωσῆς, Moses
Strong's: G3475
Word #: 29 of 29
moseus, moses, or mouses (i.e., mosheh), the hebrew lawgiver

Analysis & Commentary

Having therefore obtained help of God (ἐπικουρίας οὖν τυχὼν τῆς ἀπὸ τοῦ θεοῦ)—Paul attributes his survival and perseverance through decades of persecution not to personal strength but to divine epikouria (help, assistance). The aorist participle tychōn (obtained) emphasizes God's past faithfulness undergirding present testimony. I continue unto this day (ἕστηκα ἄχρι τῆς ἡμέρας ταύτης)—the perfect tense hestēka (I stand) pictures stability through trial, fulfilling Christ's promise: 'I will stand by thee' (Acts 18:10).

Witnessing both to small and great democratizes the gospel—no class distinction before God. Saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come—Paul's defense strategy insists Christianity fulfills rather than contradicts Judaism. His gospel preaches nothing novel but only what the Old Testament foretold: Messiah's suffering, resurrection, and light to Gentiles (v.23).

Historical Context

Paul stands before Herod Agrippa II and Roman governor Festus (circa 59 AD) in Caesarea, defending himself against Jewish accusations. This is Paul's fifth recorded defense speech in Acts. His argument: far from opposing Judaism, he proclaims its prophetic fulfillment. The phrase 'small and great' may allude to his varied audiences—from tent-making laborers in Corinth to philosophers in Athens to royalty here. Paul's ministry spanned approximately 30 years from Damascus road to this moment.

Questions for Reflection