Acts 26:7

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.

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}.

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!

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.

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!

In Acts 26:7, the Apostle Paul continues his eloquent defense before King Agrippa, explaining the core reason for his imprisonment and accusation. He asserts that his message is not a radical departure from Jewish tradition but rather the fulfillment of the very hope that the entire nation of Israel, represented by its "twelve tribes," has diligently sought for centuries.

Context

Paul is on trial, accused by the Jewish leaders, primarily for proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah and advocating for the resurrection of the dead. In this passage, he directly links his "crime" to the ancestral hope of Israel, which he argues is the "promise made unto the fathers" (Acts 26:6). This promise encompasses the coming of the Messiah, the establishment of His kingdom, and crucially, the resurrection. Paul's point is profound: he is being persecuted for believing in the very promises that his accusers also profess to hope for.

Key Themes

  • The Hope of Israel: Paul emphasizes that the promise to which he refers is not a new, isolated doctrine but the collective hope of the Jewish people. This hope is deeply rooted in the covenants and prophecies given to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the prophets, pointing towards a future redemption and the coming of the Messiah.
  • Zealous Devotion: The phrase "instantly serving [God] day and night" highlights the fervent, continuous worship and expectation within Judaism. It speaks to the dedicated spiritual life of many devout Jews who earnestly sought the fulfillment of God's promises, often through prayer, fasting, and temple service.
  • Continuity and Fulfillment: Paul's defense centers on the idea that his faith in Jesus is not a break from Judaism but its ultimate fulfillment. He argues that the resurrection of Jesus is the bedrock of this hope, making the ancient promises a present reality. He is accused precisely because he believes God has *already* begun to fulfill the hope that all Israel awaits, particularly concerning the resurrection of the dead.
  • Misunderstanding and Persecution: The verse clearly states, "For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews." Paul's persecution stems from a theological disagreement over *how* this hope is fulfilled, specifically regarding Jesus as the resurrected Messiah. His accusers, while sharing the general hope, rejected its realization in Christ.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "instantly serving" translates the Greek ἐν ἐκτενείᾳ λατρεύοντες (en ekteneia latreuontes). ἐκτενείᾳ (ekteneia) signifies intensity, earnestness, or stretched-out effort, implying fervent and continuous devotion. λατρεύοντες (latreuontes) refers to religious service or worship, particularly that rendered to God. This emphasizes the deep, unwavering commitment of the Jewish people to their spiritual practices and their anticipation of God's promised future.

Practical Application

Acts 26:7 reminds believers that true Christian hope is not a new invention but the culmination of God's long-standing promises throughout history. Our faith in Jesus is deeply rooted in the Old Testament Scriptures and the consistent character of God. It encourages us to understand the continuity of God's plan and to hold fast to the hope of the resurrection and the future kingdom, even when it leads to misunderstanding or opposition. Like Paul, we are called to articulate our hope clearly, demonstrating its foundation in God's unchanging word.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

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