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A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold is as pictures of silver.(Prov.25:11) It is so important to speak the right words to people at the right time to produce the right results. When you think of apples of gold in pictures of silver, then you are thinking of wealth and excellence. When we speak wisdom into the lives of others we are making them wealthy. Therefore we must seek God for He is the source of all wisdom and He will give us just the right words needed at the right time.
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#And Paul said I would to God, that not only thou but also all that hear me this day, were both almost and altogether such as I am, except these bonds. Acts 26:29
The Greek word for all together is Ek which is the dative of a person, in the person, soul, thought of anyone. So Paul is in awe of king Agrippa almost being persuaded to be a Christian that he wants anyone who heard the gospel message would come to the conclusion and accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. It lies hidden as it were in the bosom of God until it shall come forth to view. Eph. 3:9 is the passage that corresponds to this text and everyone is welcome to hear the Word of God and believe the report of the prophets as told in the scriptures and by Paul. With all the mentally ill people today struggling with their illness they need to hear that there is hope beyond the grave and that they do not have to contemplate suicide but faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ for restoration of life eternal. King Agrippa challenges us to move past almost to altogether ready to receive Jesus Christ the risen Savor. Paul does not want everyone to be in bonds as he is, but he knows that many are in bonds to sin until the truth sets them free. Jesus said if you abide in my words, then you are my disciples indeed and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. What a blessing to be set free from the curse of sin and death to life eternal and freedom to live within the bounds of the Christian life.
#Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. Acts 26:28
The Greek word for Almost is En which is a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time, or state) and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest. So this is the most profound reason why many people will not get to Heaven because they Almost became a Christian but instead rested on the position that they had plenty of time to decide on what primary case to take. Today is the day of salvation and when you hear His voice, that is the still small voice of the Holy Spirit, telling you to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and then hasten to His throne. Think of all the things that Almost never did, I tell you we would be the richest people if only Almost had become a reality. It is my prayer my brothers and sisters that you will not halt between two opinions. If God is God, then serve Him, otherwise, you will perish with Baal and all the other gods of the world. We do not find out in scripture anywhere if Agrippa finally made the decision to become a Christian. I hope he did for he was so close to the Kingdom. Jesus told us to seek first His Kingdom and righteousness and all these things would be added unto us.
#King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. Acts 26:27
The Greek word for believest is Pisteuo which means to believe or entrust, i.e. Credit; by implication or put in trust with. Specifically in a moral and religious reference. Paul has laid out his cause for the gospel of Jesus Christ and now all that is needed for king Agrippa to have child-like faith. We know that faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. Without faith, it is impossible to please God. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God. So if you lack faith, then you need to read the Word of God every day and be a doer of the word and not just a hearer only deceiving yourselves. It is very common properly to have a faith directed unto believing or in faith to give oneself up to Jesus etc. So my beloved brothers and sisters have faith in God for all things are possible if only you will believe in Him. To have saving faith you must believe that Jesus died on the cross for your sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day.
#For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner. Acts 26:26
The Greek word for knoweth is Epistamai which means to understand, i.e. Comprehend or be acquainted with. Thus Paul is speaking to Agrippa with the knowledge that he understands the doctrine that he is teaching him. Just like Isocrates, and Aristotle who were great orators with great ellipsis and analogously gained the attention of their hearers. For the scripture tells us not just to be hearers of the Word but doers. We go to Seminary to learn Hermanuetics so that we can interpret scriptures correctly, and Paul was well trained under Gamaliel but most importantly he had been with Jesus the risen Savior on the Damascus road who told him of the things that would befall him on his Christian journey. Paul is speaking freely, as the gospel was freely given to us, and it is important that we do not muzzle the ox that trod out the corn. Paul is persuaded that none of these things that he is preaching is hidden for this thing was not done in a corner. Jesus Christ died openly for our sins on the Cross, was buried, and rose on the third day according to the scriptures. Paul is a witness to this risen Savior for it is He that gave him the gift of his apostleship.
#But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness. Acts 26:25
The Greek word for soberness is Sophrosyne which means soundness of mind and self-control. So Paul speaks in his defense that he is not mad or crazy, but is speaking the truth with all soundness of mind and self-control. This is the proof that Paul is walking in the Spirit and bearing the fruits of the Spirit which is self-control. Just like the lame man at the pool of Bethesda was lame for thirty-eight years and Jesus said do you want to be whole? The man had been living in sin, but when Jesus saved him, he got up and walked after being lame and Jesus told him to go and stop sinning less a worse thing happens to him. This is what Paul is preaching in his defense that the Lord saved him on the Damascus road and now he has stopped sinning and is bearing fruits of righteousness for the Lord. So if you are bound with some kind of addictionn to sin, just cry out to the Lord Jesus save me, and He will save you and fill you with His Holy Spirit so that you can walk and be whole. No longer a victim but a victor.
#And as he had thus spoken for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; because of thine much learning doth make thee mad. Acts 26:24
The Greek word for mad is Eis which means against, among, as at backward. a preposition governing the accusative denoting entrance into, or direction and limit. Thus Festus had reached a limit with Paul for his learning. This was the highest compliment that he could have given Paul, for he indeed had been well trained under Gamaliel and could speak five languages. It was the Holy Spirit that was giving him the wisdom to speak just as the Lord Jesus had promised. This tells us that when we come before kings and magistrates the Lord will fight our battles and give us the words to speak for His glory. We today think as a man that is called mad is crazy, but not so this is how the Holy Spirit speaks through us. We must therefore be like Samuel in the Old Testament who said speak Lord for thy servant listens. When we listen to God speaking to us by the power of the Holy Spirit we will always have the right words to speak at the appointed time. It is my prayer that in these days of apostasy we will be in tune with the Spirit as He is speaking to us and say thus saith the Lord God.
#For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple and went about to kill me. Acts 26:21
The Greek word for temple is Hieros; which is a sacred place, i.e. The entire precinct that denotes the central sanctuary. This is where Jesus or the apostles are said to have gone up or entered to teach and encountered adversaries and the like. So it is no surprise that Paul would be caught by the Jews in the Hieros teaching when they tried to kill him. We can remember when Jesus drove the buyers and sellers and money changers out by saying my Temple is a house of prayer but you have turned it into a den of robbers. Jesus had warned Paul on the Damascus road that he would suffer many things. Jesus told us not to fear those who can destroy the body only, but Him that can destroy the soul and spirit in the Lake of Fire. Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Ghost and we must not defile them with sexual immorality. So it is because of this teaching that the Jews were trying to kill Paul, but the scriptures tell us many are the afflictions of the righteous, yet out of them, all God delivers us. Having therefore obtained the help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: That Christ should suffer and that He should be the first that should rise from the dead and should show light unto the people and to the Gentiles.
#But showed first unto them of Damascus and at Jerusalem and throughout all the coasts of Judaea and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God and do works meet for repentance. Acts 26:20
The Greek word for repentance is Metanoia which means a change of mind as it appears in one who repents of a purpose he has formed or of something he has done. Luke 15:7 As with the prodigal son he said I shall return to my Father's house. It is a military term that means an about-face. Just like Saul turned from his persecution to praying to the Lord Jesus Christ after the Damascus road experience and got on a straight street and kept going straight. And the Lord changed his name to Paul for he was a chosen vessel to declare the truth to the Jews first, then to the Gentiles. We too must turn those from darkness to the light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Polyamory is being practiced as a way to have a plural marriage, which is darkness and must be repented of. In the Old Testament, this was practiced because God winked at this but now in the New Testament, He has established let every man and woman have one spouse. For God has appointed a day when we will all be judged by that man the Lord Jesus Christ.
#Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision. Acts 26:19
The Greek word for vision is Optasia which means an appearing from a presumed derivative of optanomai; visuality, i.e. an apparition. A sight or an appearance presented to one whether asleep or awake. Thus Paul states to king Agrippa that when he received the heavenly vision of the Lord Jesus Christ on the Damascus road he was not disobedient. This is why we have the fourteen books of the New Testament that Paul has written because of that vision of our Lord. I thank God also for the vision of him being caught up in heaven, whether in the body, he did not know but he saw and heard unspeakable things. Because of the abundance of the revelation, there was given to him a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet him, lest he should be exalted above measure. It is there that we see how powerful the grace of God is, for His strength is made perfect in our weakness. Therefore, will I boast in my weakness for then am I strong? It is paradoxical but true. So my brothers and sisters if you receive a vision of the Lord do not be disobedient as the apostle Paul has taught us.
#To open their eyes and to turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. Acts 26:18
The Greek word for sanctify is Hagiazo which means to make holy or consecrate. i.e. to purify. This is done by separating one from things profane and dedicated to God. Since the stamp of sacredness passes over from the holiness of God to whatever it has any connection with God. Jesus said in John 17:7 Sanctify them by thy truth. The truth of God makes us holy and thus this is why the Lord Jesus delivered Paul from the Jews and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light. The Greek word for darkness is Skotos which means shadiness, i.e. Obscurity. Thus Paul was commissioned by Jesus to turn the people from the power of Satan unto God so that they might receive forgiveness of sins to their eternal inheritance among them which are sanctified. All of this is done when we place our faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the faith that is in me, that I am being imprisoned for. When we think of inheritance we are not talking about material things, but all the spiritual blessings that we have seated with Christ in the heavenly.
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