Word Pictures in the New Testament - David Cox

Word Pictures in the NT [Acts: Chapter 26]
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26:1 {Thou art permitted} (\epitrepetai soi\). Literally, It is
permitted thee. As if Agrippa were master of ceremonies instead
of Festus. Agrippa as a king and guest presides at the grand
display while Festus has simply introduced Paul. {For thyself}
(\huper seautou\). Some MSS. have \peri\ (concerning). Paul is
allowed to speak in his own behalf. No charges are made against
him. In fact, Festus has admitted that he has no real proof of
any charges. {Stretched forth his hand} (\ekteinas t•n cheira\).
Dramatic oratorical gesture (not for silence as in 12:17;
13:16) with the chain still upon it (verse 29) linking him to
the guard. First aorist active participle of \ektein•\, to
stretch out. {Made his defence} (\apelogeito\). Inchoative
imperfect of \apologeomai\ (middle), "began to make his defence."
This is the fullest of all Paul's defences. He has no word of
censure of his enemies or of resentment, but seizes the
opportunity to preach Christ to such a distinguished company
which he does with "singular dignity" (Furneaux). He is now
bearing the name of Christ "before kings" (Ac 9:15). In general
Paul follows the line of argument of the speech on the stairs
(chapter Ac 22).
26:2 {I think myself happy} (\h•g•mai emauton makarion\). See on
¯Mt 5:3 for \makarios\. Blass notes that Paul, like Tertullus,
begins with _captatio benevolentiae_, but _absque adulatione_. He
says only what he can truthfully speak. For \h•g•mai\ see Php
3:7; 1Ti 6:1 (perfect middle indicative of \h•geomai\), I have
considered. {That I am to make my defence} (\mell•n
apologeisthai\). Literally, "being about to make my defence."
{Whereof I am accused} (\h•n egkaloumai\). Genitive with
\egkaloumai\ as in 19:40 or by attraction from accusative of
relative (\ha\) to case of antecedent (\pant•n\).
26:3 {Especially because thou art expert} (\malista gn•st•n onta
se\). Or like the margin, "because thou art especially expert,"
according as \malista\ is construed. \Gn•st•n\ is from \gin•sk•\
and means a knower, expert, connoisseur. Plutarch uses it and
Deissmann (_Light_, etc., p. 367) restores it in a papyrus.
Agrippa had the care of the temple, the appointment of the high
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Word Pictures in the New Testament
(Acts: Chapter 26)