Chapter 26:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| McGarvey Pendleton
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 John Romans
Acts 26
Concise Complete
Paul's defence before Agrippa. (1-11) His conversion and
preaching to the Gentiles. (12-23) Festus and Agrippa convinced of Paul's
innocence. (24-32)
Verses 1-11
Christianity teaches us to give a reason of the hope that is in us, and also to
give honour to whom honour is due, without flattery or fear of man. Agrippa was
well versed in the Scriptures of the Old Testament, therefore could the better
judge as to the controversy about Jesus being the Messiah. Surely ministers may
expect, when they preach the faith of Christ, to be heard patiently. Paul
professes that he still kept to all the good in which he was first educated and
trained up. See here what his religion was. He was a moralist, a man of virtue,
and had not learned the arts of the crafty, covetous Pharisees; he was not
chargeable with any open vice and profaneness. He was sound in the faith. He
always had a holy regard for the ancient promise made of God unto the fathers,
and built his hope upon it. The apostle knew very well that all this would not
justify him before God, yet he knew it was for his reputation among the Jews,
and an argument that he was not such a man as they represented him to be. Though
he counted this but loss, that he might win Christ, yet he mentioned it when it
might serve to honour Christ. See here what Paul's religion is; he has not such
zeal for the ceremonial law as he had in his youth; the sacrifices and offerings
appointed by that, are done away by the great Sacrifice which they typified. Of
the ceremonial cleansings he makes no conscience, and thinks the Levitical
priesthood is done away in the priesthood of Christ; but, as to the main
principles of his religion, he is as zealous as ever. Christ and heaven, are the
two great doctrines of the gospel; that God has given to us eternal life, and
this life is in his Son. These are the matter of the promise made unto the
fathers. The temple service, or continual course of religious duties, day and
night, was kept up as the profession of faith in the promise of eternal life,
and in expectation of it. The prospect of eternal life should engage us to be
diligent and stedfast in all religious exercises. Yet the Sadducees hated Paul
for preaching the resurrection; and the other Jews joined them, because he
testified that Jesus was risen, and was the promised Redeemer of Israel. Many
things are thought to be beyond belief, only because the infinite nature and
perfections of Him that has revealed, performed, or promised them, are
overlooked. Paul acknowledged, that while he continued a Pharisee, he was a
bitter enemy to Christianity. This was his character and manner of life in the
beginning of his time; and there was every thing to hinder his being a
Christian. Those who have been most strict in their conduct before conversion,
will afterwards see abundant reason for humbling themselves, even on account of
things which they then thought ought to have been done.
Verses 12-23 Paul
was made a Christian by Divine power; by a revelation of Christ both to him and
in him; when in the full career of his sin. He was made a minister by Divine
authority: the same Jesus who appeared to him in that glorious light, ordered
him to preach the gospel to the Gentiles. A world that sits in darkness must be
enlightened; those must be brought to know the things that belong to their
everlasting peace, who are yet ignorant of them. A world that lies in wickedness
must be sanctified and reformed; it is not enough for them to have their eyes
opened, they must have their hearts renewed; not enough to be turned from
darkness to light, but they must be turned from the power of Satan unto God. All
who are turned from sin to God, are not only pardoned, but have a grant of a
rich inheritance. The forgiveness of sins makes way for this. None can be happy
who are not holy; and to be saints in heaven we must be first saints on earth.
We are made holy, and saved by faith in Christ; by which we rely upon Christ as
the Lord our Righteousness, and give up ourselves to him as the Lord our Ruler;
by this we receive the remission of sins, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and
eternal life. The cross of Christ was a stumbling-block to the Jews, and they
were in a rage at Paul's preaching the fulfilling of the Old Testament
predictions. Christ should be the first that should rise from the dead; the Head
or principal One. Also, it was foretold by the prophets, that the Gentiles
should be brought to the knowledge of God by the Messiah; and what in this could
the Jews justly be displeased at? Thus the true convert can give a reason of his
hope, and a good account of the change manifest in him. Yet for going about and
calling on men thus to repent and to be converted, vast numbers have been blamed
and persecuted.
Verses 24-32 It
becomes us, on all occasions, to speak the words of truth and soberness, and
then we need not be troubled at the unjust censures of men. Active and laborious
followers of the gospel often have been despised as dreamers or madmen, for
believing such doctrines and such wonderful facts; and for attesting that the
same faith and diligence, and an experience like their own, are necessary to all
men, whatever their rank, in order to their salvation. But apostles and
prophets, and the Son of God himself, were exposed to this charge; and none need
be moved thereby, when Divine grace has made them wise unto salvation. Agrippa
saw a great deal of reason for Christianity. His understanding and judgment were
for the time convinced, but his heart was not changed. And his conduct and
temper were widely different from the humility and spirituality of the gospel.
Many are almost persuaded to be religious, who are not quite persuaded; they are
under strong convictions of their duty, and of the excellence of the ways of
God, yet do not pursue their convictions. Paul urged that it was the concern of
every one to become a true Christian; that there is grace enough in Christ for
all. He expressed his full conviction of the truth of the gospel, the absolute
necessity of faith in Christ in order to salvation. Such salvation from such
bondage, the gospel of Christ offers to the Gentiles; to a lost world. Yet it is
with much difficulty that any person can be persuaded he needs a work of grace
on his heart, like that which was needful for the conversion of the Gentiles.
Let us beware of fatal hesitation in our own conduct; and recollect how far the
being almost persuaded to be a Christian, is from being altogether such a one as
every true believer is.
Chapter 26:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| McGarvey Pendleton
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 John Romans
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
