Acts 26:6
And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers:
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 15
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
νῦν
now
G3568
νῦν
now
Strong's:
G3568
Word #:
2 of 15
"now" (as adverb of date, a transition or emphasis); also as noun or adjective present or immediate
ἐπ'
for
G1909
ἐπ'
for
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
3 of 15
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
ἐλπίδι
the hope
G1680
ἐλπίδι
the hope
Strong's:
G1680
Word #:
4 of 15
expectation (abstractly or concretely) or confidence
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πρὸς
unto
G4314
πρὸς
unto
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
6 of 15
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,
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πατέρας
our fathers
G3962
πατέρας
our fathers
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
8 of 15
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
ἐπαγγελίας
of the promise
G1860
ἐπαγγελίας
of the promise
Strong's:
G1860
Word #:
9 of 15
an announcement (for information, assent or pledge; especially a divine assurance of good)
γενομένης
made
G1096
γενομένης
made
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
10 of 15
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
ὑπὸ
of
G5259
ὑπὸ
of
Strong's:
G5259
Word #:
11 of 15
under, i.e., (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ
God
G2316
θεοῦ
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
13 of 15
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
Cross References
Acts 24:15And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.Acts 28:20For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.Titus 2:13Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;Acts 23:6But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.Romans 15:8Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:Zechariah 13:7Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.Genesis 22:18And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.Genesis 26:4And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed;Genesis 12:3And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.Deuteronomy 18:15The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;
Historical Context
Paul speaks before King Agrippa II (AD 60-62), who as a Herodian king was educated in Jewish law and prophecy. This is Paul's third defense speech in Acts (cf. 22:1-21, 24:10-21). The "promise to our fathers" references the patriarchal covenants—God's oath to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—which first-century Judaism unanimously affirmed, even while disagreeing on the details of fulfillment.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Paul's appeal to "the hope of the promise" challenge the dichotomy between Old and New Testament faith?
- In what ways does your Christian hope connect to God's ancient promises to Israel, and why does this continuity matter?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers—Paul identifies the core issue: his trial concerns elpis (ἐλπίς, hope) in God's epangelia (ἐπαγγελία, promise) to the patriarchs. This is not about novel doctrine but Israel's ancient hope—the Messianic promise woven through Genesis 3:15, the Abrahamic covenant (Gen 12:3), and prophetic Scripture.
Paul's defense strategy is brilliant: he reframes his "crime" as faithfulness to Judaism's foundational hope. The irony is profound—Paul stands accused by Jewish leaders for believing what every pious Jew claimed to await: the resurrection and the Messiah. His imprisonment vindicates his claim that Christianity is the fulfillment, not the abandonment, of Israel's faith. As he will argue in verses 22-23, he preaches "nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass."