Bible Strands
Acts 26:6
And now I stand on trial because of my hope in the promise that God made to our fathers,
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul addresses a royal judge during a formal hearing, explaining his current legal standing by pointing to his enduring expectation. He speaks while defending himself against Jewish accusations, grounding his defense in a historical divine commitment.
The words — ἐλπὶδι (elpidi) translates literally to "hope" and functions as the instrumental cause for his trial. πατέρας (pateras) means "fathers," identifying the original recipients of the divine commitment he now trusts.
The thread — This expectation of fulfillment appears in Acts 24:15 as a shared resurrection hope and in Titus 2:13 as the blessed hope awaiting believers. The motif traces back to patriarchal promises and forward to eschatological realization.
Why it lands — The text demands that a reader acknowledge a present trial is caused by a future expectation, not a present failure. It requires the reader to align their own accusations or defenses with a commitment to a promised fulfillment rather than immediate circumstances.
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 now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers:
Cross-references
- Titus 2:13 as we await the blessed hope and glorious appearance of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.
- Daniel 7:13 In my vision in the night I continued to watch, and I saw One like the Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence.
- Acts 24:15 and I have the same hope in God that they themselves cherish, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.
- Acts 28:20 So for this reason I have called to see you and speak with you. It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.”
- Romans 15:8 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of God’s truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs,
- Genesis 12:3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you.”
- Genesis 22:18 And through your offspring all nations of the earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”
- Genesis 26:4 I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky, and I will give them all these lands, and through your offspring all nations of the earth will be blessed,
- Deuteronomy 18:15 The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers. You must listen to him.
- Job 19:25 But I know that my Redeemer lives, and in the end He will stand upon the earth.