Acts 26:4
My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews;
Original Language Analysis
οἱ
which
G3588
οἱ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μὲν
manner
G3303
μὲν
manner
Strong's:
G3303
Word #:
2 of 22
properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with g1161 (this one, the former, etc.)
οὖν
G3767
οἱ
which
G3588
οἱ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐκ
from
G1537
ἐκ
from
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
7 of 22
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
οἱ
which
G3588
οἱ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀπ'
at
G575
ἀπ'
at
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
10 of 22
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
ἀρχῆς
the first
G746
ἀρχῆς
the first
Strong's:
G746
Word #:
11 of 22
(properly abstract) a commencement, or (concretely) chief (in various applications of order, time, place, or rank)
γενομένην
was
G1096
γενομένην
was
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
12 of 22
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
οἱ
which
G3588
οἱ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἔθνει
own nation
G1484
ἔθνει
own nation
Strong's:
G1484
Word #:
15 of 22
a race (as of the same habit), i.e., a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan)
Ἱεροσολύμοις
Jerusalem
G2414
Ἱεροσολύμοις
Jerusalem
Strong's:
G2414
Word #:
18 of 22
hierosolyma (i.e., jerushalaim), the capitol of palestine
Historical Context
Paul spoke these words around AD 59-60 during his Caesarean imprisonment, defending himself before Herod Agrippa II and Festus. As a student of Gamaliel in Jerusalem (Acts 22:3), Paul's Pharisaic credentials were impeccable. His audience would have known that Jerusalem-trained Pharisees represented the intellectual and religious elite of first-century Judaism, making his conversion to Christ all the more remarkable.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Paul's willingness to acknowledge his past identity (Pharisee, persecutor) model transparency in Christian witness?
- What aspects of your pre-Christian life might God use as credible testimony to His transforming power?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
My manner of life from my youth (τὴν βίωσίν μου τὴν ἐκ νεότητος, tēn biōsin mou tēn ek neotētos)—Paul begins his defense before Agrippa by appealing to his publicly verifiable Jewish credentials. The term biōsis denotes not mere existence but a whole way of life, encompassing conduct, convictions, and community.
Which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem—Paul strategically establishes himself as a Jerusalem-trained Pharisee, not a Diaspora Jew dabbling in Judaism. His upbringing "among mine own nation" (ἐν τῷ ἔθνει μου, en tō ethnei mou) underscores his rootedness in covenant Israel. Know all the Jews—This bold assertion challenges his accusers: his pre-conversion zeal for Judaism was public knowledge, witnessed by the very religious establishment now opposing him. His transformation from persecutor to proclaimer becomes all the more compelling when grounded in this irrefutable Jewish pedigree.