Bible Strands
Acts 26:29
“Short time or long,” Paul replied, “I wish to God that not only you but all who hear me this day may become what I am, except for these chains.”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul addresses King Agrippa, the Roman governor, Bernice, and their assembled court immediately after Agrippa asks if Paul can quickly persuade him to become a Christian.
The words — εὐξαίμην (euxaimēn) translates literally as "I would wish," functioning as a strong optative prayer directed to God for another's conversion.
The thread — This desire for others to share his transformed state aligns with his stated prayer for Israel's salvation in Romans 10:1 and his self-description as a bound ambassador in Ephesians 6:20.
Why it lands — The text requires a reader to evaluate whether their own faith is genuine enough to desire for others, even when that faith brings personal restriction or chains.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Ephesians 6:20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it fearlessly, as I should.
- Acts 21:33 The commander came up and arrested Paul, ordering that he be bound with two chains. Then he asked who he was and what he had done.
- Romans 10:1 Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is for their salvation.
- Colossians 1:28 We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.
- Exodus 16:3 “If only we had died by the LORD’s hand in the land of Egypt!” they said. “There we sat by pots of meat and ate our fill of bread, but you have brought us into this desert to starve this whole assembly to death!”
- Numbers 11:29 But Moses replied, “Are you jealous on my account? I wish that all the LORD’s people were prophets and that the LORD would place His Spirit on them!”
- 2 Samuel 18:33 The king was shaken and went up to the chamber over the gate and wept. And as he walked, he cried out, “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!”
- 2 Kings 5:3 She said to her mistress, “If only my master would go to the prophet who is in Samaria, he would cure him of his leprosy.”
- Jeremiah 13:17 But if you do not listen, I will weep in secret because of your pride. My eyes will overflow with tears, because the LORD’s flock has been taken captive.
- Luke 19:41 As Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it