Act 26:12-20 | RWP | e4.org | Whereupon ( εν οις ). "In which things" (affairs of persecution), "on which errand." Cf. . Paul made them leave Palestine ( ) and followed them beyond it ( ). With the authority and commission ( μετ' εξουσιας κα επιτροπης ). Not merely "authority" ( εξουσια ), but express appointment ( επιτροπη , old word, but here only in N.T., derived from επιτροπος , steward, and that from επιτρεπω , to turn over to, to commit).

‏ Acts 26:12-20

Whereupon ( εν οις ). "In which things" (affairs of persecution), "on which errand." Cf. 24:18. Paul made them leave Palestine (11:19) and followed them beyond it (9:2).

With the authority and commission ( μετ' εξουσιας κα επιτροπης ). Not merely "authority" ( εξουσια ), but express appointment ( επιτροπη, old word, but here only in N.T., derived from επιτροπος, steward, and that from επιτρεπω, to turn over to, to commit).

At midday ( ημερας μεσης ). Genitive of time and idiomatic use of μεσος, in the middle of the day, more vivid than μεσημβριαν (22:6).

Above the brightness of the sun ( υπερ την λαμπροτητα του ηλιου ). Here alone not in Ac 9; 22, though implied in 9:3; 22:6, "indicating the supernatural character of the light" (Knowling). Luke makes no effort to harmonize the exact phrases here with those in the other accounts and Paul here (verse 16) blends together what Jesus said to him directly and the message of Jesus through Ananias (9:15). The word λαμπροτης, old word, is here alone in the N.T.

Shining round about me ( περιλαμψαν με ). First aorist active participle of περιλαμπω, common Koine verb, in N.T. only here and Lu 2:9.

When we were all fallen ( παντων καταπεσοντων ημων ). Genitive absolute with second aorist active participle of καταπιπτω. In the Hebrew language ( τη Εβραιδ διαλεκτω ). Natural addition here, for Paul is speaking in Greek, not Aramaic as in 22:2.

It is hard for thee to kick against the goad ( σκληρον σο προς κεντρα λακτιζειν ). Genuine here, but not in chapters 9, 22. A common proverb as Aeschylus Ag. 1624: Προς κεντρα μη λακτιζε. "It is taken from an ox that being pricked with a goad kicks and receives a severer wound" (Page). Cf. the parables of Jesus (Mt 13:35). Blass observes that Paul's mention of this Greek and Latin proverb is an indication of his culture. Besides he mentions (not invents) it here rather than in chapter 22 because of the culture of this audience. Κεντρον means either sting as of bees (II Macc. 14:19) and so of death (1Co 15:55) or an iron goad in the ploughman's hand as here (the only two N.T. examples). Note plural here (goads) and λακτιζειν is present active infinitive so that the idea is "to keep on kicking against goads." This old verb means to kick with the heel (adverb λαξ, with the heel), but only here in the N.T. There is a papyrus example of kicking ( λακτιζω ) with the feet against the door.

Arise and stand ( αναστηθ κα στηθ ). "Emphatic assonance" (Page). Second aorist active imperative of compound verb ( ανιστημ ) and simplex ( ιστημ ). "Stand up and take a stand."

Have I appeared unto thee ( ωφθην σο ). First aorist passive indicative of οραω. See on Lu 22:43.

To appoint thee ( προχειρισασθα σε ). See 3:30; 22:14 for this verb.

Both of the things wherein thou hast seen me ( ων τε ειδες με ). The reading με (not in all MSS.) makes it the object of ειδες (didst see) and ων is genitive of α (accusative of general reference) attracted to the case of the unexpressed antecedent τουτων. Paul is thus a personal eyewitness of the Risen Christ (Lu 1:1; 1Co 4:1; 9:1).

And of the things wherein I will appear unto thee ( ων τε οφθησομα σο ). Here again ων is genitive of the accusative (general reference) relative α attracted to the case of the antecedent τουτων or εκεινων as before. But οφθησομα is first future passive of οραω and cannot be treated as active or middle. Page takes it to mean "the visions in which I shall be seen by you," the passive form bringing out the agency of God. See those in Ac 18:9; 23:11; 2Co 12:2. The passive voice, however, like απεκριθην and εφοβηθην, did become sometimes transitive in the Koine (Robertson, Grammar, p. 819).

Delivering thee ( εξαιρουμενος σε ). Present middle participle of εξαιρεω, old verb and usually so rendered, but the old Greek also uses it for "choose" as also in LXX (Isa 48:10). The papyri give examples of both meanings and either makes good sense here. God was continually rescuing Paul "out of the hands of Jews and Gentiles and Paul was a chosen vessel" (9:15). Modern scholars are also divided.

To open ( ανοιξα ). First aorist active infinitive of purpose.

That they may turn ( του επιστρεψα ). Another infinitive of purpose first aorist active (genitive case and articular), epexegetic to ανοιξα.

That they may receive ( του λαβειν ). Another genitive articular infinitive of purpose subordinate (epexegetic) to του επιστρεψα.

Sanctified by faith in me ( ηγιασμενοις πιστε τη εις εμε ). Perfect passive participle of αγιαζω, instrumental case of πιστε, article before εις εμε ("by faith, that in me"). These important words of Jesus to Paul give his justification to this cultured audience for his response to the command of Jesus. This was the turning point in Paul's career and it was a step forward and upward.

Wherefore ( οθεν ). This relatival adverb (cf. 14:26; 28:13) gathers up all that Paul has said.

I was not disobedient ( ουκ εγενομην απειθης ). Litotes again, "I did not become (second aorist middle indicative of γινομα ) disobedient" ( απειθης, old word already in Lu 1:17).

Unto the heavenly vision ( τη ουρανιω οπτασια ). A later form of οψις, from οπταζω, in LXX, and in N.T. (Lu 1:22; 24:23; Ac 26:19; 2Co 12:1). Only time that Paul uses it about seeing Christ on the Damascus road, but no reflection on the reality of the event.

But declared ( αλλα απηγγελλον ). Imperfect active of απαγγελλω, repeatedly.

Throughout all the country of Judea ( πασαν τε την χωραν της Ιουδαιας ). The accusative here in the midst of the datives ( τοις εν Δαμασκωι, Ιεροσολυμοισ, τοις εθνεσιν ) seems strange and Page feels certain that εις should be here even though absent in Aleph A B. But the accusative of extent of space will explain it (Robertson, Grammar, p. 469).

Doing works worthy of repentance ( αξια της μετανοιας εργα πρασσοντας ). Accusative case of present active participle πρασσοντας because of the implied αυτους with the present infinitive μετανοειν (repent) and επιστρεφειν (turn), though the dative πρασσουσιν could have been used to agree with εθνεσιν (Gentiles). Cf. Mt 3:8 for similar language used of the Baptist. Paul, the greatest of theologians, was an interesting practical preacher.