20 For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.



Ver. 20. For the hope of Israel] That is, for the resurrection of the dead and that eternal life that Israel hopes and looks for. Hallucinantur philosophi, qui sapientem non metu solum sed et spe vacare vellent. Spes in terrenis incerti nomen boni, spes in divinis nomen est certissimi, Heb_11:1. Hope in God, saith every David to himself, Psa_43:5.



I am bound with this chain] At Rome, such prisoners as had liberty to go abroad, had a long chain, the one end whereof was fastened to their right hand, and the other end was tied to a soldier’s left hand, who was to be his keeper. Thus was St Paul bound, likely.