Paul isn't just explaining his beliefs; he's highlighting that the very thing he's accused of is the culmination of the promises God made to their ancestors. This means his accusers are essentially rejecting God's faithfulness to His own ancient covenant.
And now I stand here on trial because of my hope in the promise made by God to our fathers, to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly worship night and day. And for this hope I am accused by Jews, O king!
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul stands on trial before King Agrippa and other dignitaries, and he begins his defense by explaining that his current predicament stems from his unwavering belief in a specific hope. This hope, he emphasizes, isn't some new or radical idea but is directly connected to the ancient promises God made to their ancestors, promises that all faithful Jews held dear.
Paul stands before royalty, accused by his own people. What's the core of this conflict? It's not just about a past event, but a future hope.
Paul frames his entire case around "the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers." This wasn't a new idea he'd invented; it was the bedrock of Israel's faith.
The Promise
This promise looked forward to a divine kingdom, with a Messiah as its head. It also specifically included the resurrection of the dead and eternal life.
Paul's Claim
Paul's unique contribution was believing this promise was fulfilled in Jesus. He asserted that Jesus was the promised Messiah, that He had risen, and that His resurrection guaranteed the future resurrection and eternal life for all who hope in Him.
Why did this 'hope' cause such intense opposition? The key wasn't the promise itself, but how and when Paul claimed it was fulfilled.
The central point of contention for Paul's accusers was the resurrection. The Sadducees, who denied any resurrection or spirit, were vehemently opposed. The Pharisees, however, held to the resurrection and the hope of a Messiah.
Paul's Defense
Paul identifies himself as a Pharisee, emphasizing that his stance on the resurrection—specifically, the resurrection of Jesus—was consistent with the core beliefs of the Pharisees. He was persecuted precisely because he testified that Jesus risen, and therefore, the promised Redeemer had come.
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The True Israelite
By standing firm on the resurrection, Paul presented himself not as a radical innovator, but as the true inheritor and defender of Israel's ancient hope, a hope that included the future resurrection and eternal life.
Understand the original words
elpis · Greek Noun
A confident expectation and trust in God’s future promises, particularly the resurrection and the fulfillment of the Messianic kingdom.
epaggelia · Greek Noun
A solemn declaration or commitment given by God to His people, often referring to the promise of the Messiah and the restoration of Israel.
phulē · Greek Noun
Referring to the twelve tribes of Israel as a collective covenant people who look forward to the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan.
latreuō · Greek Verb
The active practice of religious devotion, often involving sacrificial service and intense dedication to God.
Paul's defense hinges on the ancient promises made to Israel's fathers, which he argues point directly to the resurrection of Jesus and the hope of eternal life – a core belief that, ironically, his accusers (especially the Sadducees) rejected.
c. 1400 BC
God's Promise to Abraham
God makes a foundational promise to Abraham concerning his descendants and a future blessing, laying the groundwork for future hope.
c. 700 BC
Prophetic Promises of Restoration
Prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah speak of future restoration, a renewed covenant, and a coming king, reinforcing the hope of God's people.
c. AD 30-33
Resurrection of Jesus
Jesus is crucified and then, according to Christian belief, resurrected, fulfilling prophecies and becoming the central figure of the promised hope.
c. AD 33-59
Paul's Early Persecution of Christians
Saul of Tarsus actively persecutes the early followers of Jesus, viewing their belief in his resurrection as a dangerous distortion of Jewish hope.
c. AD 35
Paul's Conversion
Saul encounters the resurrected Jesus on the road to Damascus, transforming him into Paul, a fervent advocate for the Christian hope.
c. AD 59
Paul's Arrest and Imprisonment
Paul is arrested in Jerusalem after religious and political turmoil erupts due to his ministry, leading to his ongoing imprisonment.
c. AD 60— this verse
Paul's Defense Before Agrippa
Paul stands trial before King Agrippa II and Festus, seizing the opportunity to explain his life and the 'hope of the promise' that now defines his faith.
This verse highlights the foundational promise God made to Abraham that in him and his descendants, all nations would be blessed. Paul is connecting his present hope, and the reason for his trial, to this ancient, God-given promise to Israel's 'fathers'.
Job 19:25-26Job's powerful declaration, 'I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin is destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God,' directly speaks to the hope of resurrection that Paul embraces and defends.
Isaiah 53:10This Suffering Servant passage speaks of the Lord making the 'offering of his life a guilt offering' and that 'he shall see his offspring and prolong his days.' This points to the promise of a Redeemer whose sacrifice and subsequent life would bring hope and salvation, a central theme in Paul's defense.
Luke 24:44-47Jesus himself explains to His disciples that the Scriptures foretold his suffering, resurrection, and the proclamation of repentance and forgiveness of sins in his name to all nations. This connects the 'promise made to our fathers' directly to the gospel Paul preaches.
Romans 4:13Paul explicitly states that the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world was not through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. This directly supports Paul's argument that his hope, rooted in God's promise, is a matter of faith, not legal adherence.
ellicottActs 26:6: "And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers:"
(6) For the hope of the promise made of God. The words include the whole expectation of a divine kingdom of which the Christ was to be the head, as well as the specific belief in a resurrection of the dead. Unto our fathers.—Some of the better MSS. have simply, “to the fathers.” The Received text is, perhaps, more in harmony with St. Paul’s usual manner of identifying himself with those to whom…
gillActs 26:6: "And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers:"
And now I stand, and am judged,.... Before the Roman governor, and in the presence of Agrippa: for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers; either for the hope of righteousness, life, and salvation, by the Messiah; who was promised to the Jewish fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and others; see Genesis 22:18 or for the hope of the resurrection of the dead, and eternal life; of whi…
Paul isn't just explaining his beliefs; he's highlighting that the very thing he's accused of is the culmination of the promises God made to their ancestors. This means his accusers are essentially rejecting God's faithfulness to His own ancient covenant.
Paul stands on trial before King Agrippa and other dignitaries, and he begins his defense by explaining that his current predicament stems from his unwavering belief in a specific hope. This hope, he emphasizes, isn't some new or radical idea but is directly connected to the ancient promises God made to their ancestors, promises that all faithful Jews held dear.
Paul stands on trial before King Agrippa and other dignitaries, and he begins his defense by explaining that his current predicament stems from his unwavering belief in a specific hope. This hope, he emphasizes, isn't some new or radical idea but is directly connected to the ancient promises God made to their ancestors, promises that all faithful Jews held dear.
"And now I stand here on trial because of my hope in the promise made by God to our fathers, to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly worship night and day. And for this hope I am accused by Jews, O king!" — Paul isn't just explaining his beliefs; he's highlighting that the very thing he's accused of is the culmination of the promises God made to their ancestors. This means his accusers are essentially r…
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Last reviewed October 2026
