Acts 26:7

KJV

Unto which [promise] our twelve tribes, instantly serving [God] day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.

KJV (with Strong's)

Unto {G1519} which {G3739} promise our {G2257} twelve tribes {G1429}, instantly {G1722}{G1616} serving {G3000} God day {G2250} and {G2532} night {G3571}, hope {G1679} to come {G2658}. For {G4012} which {G3739} hope's sake {G1680}, king {G935} Agrippa {G67}, I am accused {G1458} of {G5259} the Jews {G2453}.

Complete Jewish Bible

It is the fulfillment of this very promise that our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they resolutely carry on their acts of worship night and day; yet it is in connection with this hope, your Majesty, that I am being accused by Jews!

Berean Standard Bible

the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to realize as they earnestly serve God day and night. It is because of this hope, O king, that I am accused by the Jews.

American Standard Version

unto which promise our twelve tribes, earnestly serving God night and day, hope to attain. And concerning this hope I am accused by the Jews, O king!

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Acts 26:7, the Apostle Paul articulates the profound irony of his current predicament before King Agrippa: he stands accused by his own people for embracing the very hope that the entire nation of Israel, represented by its "twelve tribes," has fervently pursued for centuries. This hope, rooted in God's ancient promises, culminates in the resurrection of the dead and the coming of the Messiah, which Paul asserts has been fulfilled in Jesus Christ, thereby forming the true basis of his faith and the unexpected cause of his persecution.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal moment within Paul's defense before King Agrippa, Festus, and Bernice in Caesarea. Following his arrest in Jerusalem and subsequent trials, Paul seizes this opportunity not merely to defend himself against specific charges but to proclaim the Gospel. In the preceding verse, [Acts 26:6](/acts/26-6 "Acts 26:6 - The Hope of the Promise") Paul explicitly states, "And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers." Verse 7 elaborates on this "hope," identifying it as the shared aspiration of all Israel, thereby positioning his belief in Christ and the resurrection not as a deviation from Judaism but as its ultimate fulfillment. His argument flows logically, connecting his personal conviction to the long-standing national expectation, which sets the stage for his powerful testimony concerning his conversion experience in the subsequent verses ([Acts 26:12-18](/acts/26-12-18 "Acts 26:12-18 - Paul's Conversion Account")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul's trial occurs in a Roman provincial setting, with King Agrippa II, a descendant of Herod the Great, presiding. Agrippa, being Jewish by heritage and well-versed in Jewish customs and laws, is a particularly insightful audience for Paul's defense. The "twelve tribes" reference evokes the historical and spiritual unity of Israel, even though the northern tribes had long been dispersed. This phrase signifies the collective, enduring identity and religious aspiration of the Jewish people, who, despite their political subjugation under Rome, maintained a fervent hope for messianic deliverance and the restoration of God's kingdom. Their "instantly serving God day and night" reflects the deep piety, continuous worship, and earnest expectation characteristic of devout Jews in the Second Temple period, who engaged in practices like prayer, fasting, and temple service, all anticipating the fulfillment of God's promises.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully underscores several key themes prevalent in Acts and Paul's epistles. Firstly, it highlights **The Hope of Israel**, emphasizing that the promise Paul preaches is not novel but the ancient, collective expectation of the Jewish people, rooted in the covenants with Abraham ([Genesis 12:1-3](/genesis/12-1-3 "Genesis 12:1-3 - The Abrahamic Covenant")), the Law, and the Prophets, all pointing to a future redemption and the coming of the Messiah. Secondly, it showcases **Zealous Devotion** within Judaism, illustrating the intense, continuous spiritual longing of many Jews for God's promised intervention. Thirdly, Paul's defense centers on **Continuity and Fulfillment**, arguing that his faith in Jesus is not a break from Judaism but its ultimate and divinely ordained culmination, particularly concerning the resurrection of the dead, a core tenet of the hope of Israel ([1 Corinthians 15:20](/1_corinthians/15-20 "1 Corinthians 15:20 - Christ as the Firstfruits of Resurrection")). Finally, the verse poignantly reveals the theme of **Misunderstanding and Persecution**, as Paul is accused precisely because he believes God has *already* begun to fulfill the hope that his accusers also await, demonstrating the tragic schism over the identity of the Messiah and the nature of His kingdom.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **twelve tribes (Greek, _dōdekáphylon'_):** This term refers to the commonwealth of Israel, encompassing the entire Jewish nation. Paul's use of "our twelve tribes" emphasizes the shared identity and collective aspiration of all Jewish people, signifying that the hope he speaks of is not a sectarian belief but the universal, ancestral expectation of Israel. It underscores the deep-rooted nature of this hope within the fabric of Jewish identity and history, connecting his present argument to the foundational promises given to the patriarchs.
* **hope (Greek, _elpís'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to anticipate, usually with pleasure," _elpís_ denotes expectation or confidence. Here, it signifies the profound and enduring expectation of the Jewish people for the fulfillment of God's promises, particularly the coming of the Messiah and the resurrection of the dead. Paul asserts that this very hope, which his accusers also share, is the reason for his accusation, highlighting the irony that his faith in Christ is the realization of their common aspiration.
* **accused (Greek, _enkaléō'_):** Meaning "to call in (as a debt or demand), i.e., bring to account (charge, criminate)," _enkaléō_ precisely describes Paul's legal predicament. He is formally charged by the Jews before the Roman authorities. The term emphasizes the legal nature of his situation, but Paul cleverly redefines the charge, asserting that the true "crime" is his belief in the fulfillment of Israel's hope, turning the accusation back on his accusers as those who reject God's promised intervention.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Unto which [promise] our twelve tribes":** Paul connects his current situation directly to the "promise made unto the fathers" mentioned in [Acts 26:6](/acts/26-6 "Acts 26:6 - The Hope of the Promise"). He asserts that this promise is not a fringe belief but the central, unifying hope of the entire nation of Israel, represented by its historical and spiritual twelve tribes, signifying a collective and ancient aspiration.
* **"instantly serving [God] day and night":** This phrase vividly portrays the fervent, continuous, and intense devotion of the Jewish people. "Instantly" (from _ekténeia_) implies stretched-out effort and earnestness, while "serving" (from _latreúō_) refers specifically to religious homage or worship rendered to God. This describes the diligent spiritual practices—prayer, fasting, temple service—undertaken by devout Jews in their earnest anticipation of God's promised redemption.
* **"hope to come.":** This clause clearly states the object of their zealous service: the expectation of the fulfillment of the divine promise. This "hope" encompasses the coming of the Messiah, the establishment of His kingdom, and crucially, the resurrection of the dead, which Paul will further elaborate on as the core of his message.
* **"For which hope's sake, king Agrippa,":** Paul directly addresses King Agrippa, reiterating that the *reason* for his trial and persecution is this very hope. He is not accused for sedition or criminal acts, but for his theological conviction concerning the fulfillment of Israel's messianic and eschatological expectations.
* **"I am accused of the Jews.":** This final clause identifies Paul's accusers as "the Jews," specifically the Jewish leaders who rejected his message. It highlights the profound irony and tragic division: Paul is being prosecuted by his own people for believing that God has indeed fulfilled the promises they all profess to await.

#### Literary Devices
Paul's defense in Acts 26:7 masterfully employs several literary devices to bolster his argument. The most prominent is **Irony**, as Paul reveals that the very "hope" which unites all Israel and for which they "instantly serv[e] God day and night" is precisely the reason for his accusation by his fellow Jews. This creates a powerful rhetorical paradox, framing his persecution not as a consequence of apostasy but as a result of embracing the fulfillment of their shared ancestral promise. Paul also utilizes **Ethos** by aligning himself with the esteemed "twelve tribes" and their diligent service, establishing common ground and demonstrating his deep roots in Jewish tradition, thereby enhancing his credibility before Agrippa. Furthermore, the phrase "day and night" serves as a **Hyperbole** to emphasize the continuous and fervent nature of Israel's devotion, underscoring the intensity of their messianic expectation. This verse is a prime example of Paul's skilled **Argumentation**, where he strategically redefines the charges against him, turning the tables on his accusers by demonstrating that his "crime" is, in fact, the ultimate faithfulness to their shared heritage.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 26:7 is a profound theological statement, asserting the fundamental continuity between God's Old Testament promises and their New Testament fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Paul's defense hinges on the idea that the Christian faith is not a new religion but the natural, divinely ordained progression of God's redemptive plan for Israel and the world. The "hope" of Israel, deeply embedded in the covenants and prophecies, was always centered on a future act of God that would bring salvation, righteousness, and resurrection. Paul argues that this long-awaited hope has been decisively realized in the person and work of Jesus, particularly His resurrection from the dead. This understanding bridges the perceived gap between Judaism and Christianity, presenting the Gospel as the culmination of Israel's spiritual journey, rather than a departure from it. It challenges both his Jewish accusers and modern readers to see Jesus not as an interruption, but as the very answer to humanity's deepest longings and God's most ancient promises.

* [Romans 15:8-9](/romans/15-8-9 "Romans 15:8-9 - Christ a Servant to the Circumcision")
* [Titus 2:13](/titus/2-13 "Titus 2:13 - The Blessed Hope")
* [Hebrews 11:1](/hebrews/11-1 "Hebrews 11:1 - The Definition of Faith")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 26:7 offers profound insights for contemporary believers, reminding us that our Christian hope is not a novel invention but the glorious culmination of God's consistent and unfolding plan throughout history. It grounds our faith firmly in the ancient promises of God, demonstrating that Jesus is the answer to the deepest longings of humanity and the fulfillment of divine prophecy. This understanding should inspire confidence in the trustworthiness of God's Word and the continuity of His redemptive purposes. Like Paul, we are called to articulate our hope clearly, demonstrating its deep roots in Scripture and its transformative power in our lives. Even when our faith is misunderstood or leads to opposition, we can stand firm, knowing that we believe in the God who keeps His promises, and that the resurrection of Jesus is the bedrock of our present and future hope. This verse also challenges us to consider the depth of our own "serving God day and night"—is our hope in Christ as fervent and central to our lives as the hope of Israel was to them?

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What is the "hope" that defines your Christian walk, and how does it connect to God's promises throughout Scripture?**
* **In what ways do you "instantly serve God day and night" as an expression of your hope in Christ?**
* **How can understanding the continuity between Old Testament promises and New Testament fulfillment strengthen your faith and witness?**
* **Have you ever been misunderstood or "accused" for your faith, and how did you respond?**

### FAQ
**What is "the promise" Paul refers to in Acts 26:7?**

Answer: "The promise" Paul refers to is the overarching set of divine assurances given to the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob) and prophets throughout the Old Testament, which centered on the coming of the Messiah, the establishment of His kingdom, and particularly, the resurrection of the dead. Paul explicitly states this in [Acts 26:6](/acts/26-6 "Acts 26:6 - The Hope of the Promise") as "the promise made of God unto our fathers." For Paul, this promise finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

**Why was Paul "accused of the Jews" for this hope?**

Answer: Paul was accused not for rejecting the hope of Israel, but for asserting that this hope had *already* been fulfilled in Jesus of Nazareth, specifically through His resurrection. While many Jews shared the general expectation of a Messiah and resurrection, they rejected Jesus as that Messiah and the idea that the resurrection had already begun in Him. Paul's proclamation that Jesus was the resurrected Messiah, and that salvation was now available to Gentiles through faith in Him, was seen by many Jewish leaders as blasphemous and a threat to their traditions and authority, leading to his accusation and persecution ([Acts 24:5-6](/acts/24-5-6 "Acts 24:5-6 - Paul Accused of Heresy")).

**What is the significance of "our twelve tribes" in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "our twelve tribes" emphasizes the collective, national identity of Israel and their shared, long-standing expectation of God's redemptive work. Even though the ten northern tribes had been dispersed for centuries, the concept of "the twelve tribes" persisted as a spiritual and theological representation of the entire Jewish people. Paul uses this to highlight that the hope he preaches is not a new, isolated doctrine but the very core of Israel's ancestral faith, thereby connecting his message to the deepest aspirations of his accusers and King Agrippa himself.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 26:7 powerfully presents Jesus Christ as the singular fulfillment of Israel's ancient hope, the very promise for which "our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come." This verse underscores that the Christian Gospel is not a radical departure from Judaism but its glorious culmination. The long-awaited Messiah, the promised King, and the firstfruits of the resurrection, is none other than Jesus of Nazareth. Paul's "accusation" stems from his unwavering conviction that God has decisively acted in Christ to bring about the very redemption Israel yearned for. Jesus' resurrection, in particular, is the bedrock of this fulfillment, demonstrating His victory over death and His inauguration of the new creation, as powerfully articulated in [1 Corinthians 15:20-23](/1_corinthians/15-20-23 "1 Corinthians 15:20-23 - Christ the Firstfruits"). Thus, Paul's "crime" is proclaiming that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob has kept His word, raising Jesus from the dead as the answer to all of Israel's hopes and the means by which humanity can find reconciliation with God ([2 Corinthians 5:19](/2_corinthians/5-19 "2 Corinthians 5:19 - God Reconciling the World to Himself")). In Christ, the zealous devotion and fervent hope of centuries find their ultimate and triumphant realization.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

James 1:1

¶ James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

1 Timothy 5:5

Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.

Philippians 3:11

If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

1 Thessalonians 3:10

Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?

Ezra 6:17

And offered at the dedication of this house of God an hundred bullocks, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs; and for a sin offering for all Israel, twelve he goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel.

Matthew 19:28

And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Luke 22:30

That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.