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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadCambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - Acts 26:4 - 26:4
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4. τὴν μὲν οὖν βίωσίν μου, now my manner of life. βίωσις is only found here in N.T. and nowhere in profane authors. We have the word in the prologue to Ecclus., ὅπως … ἐπιπροσθῶσι διὰ τῆς ἐννόμου βίωσεως, ‘that … they may profit in living according to the Law.’ This is said of exactly such a life as St Paul led before his conversion.
ἀπ' ἀρχῆς, from the beginning. The Apostle though born in Tarsus yet came early to Jerusalem for his education, and it was in the Holy City that his character was formed and his manner of life shewed itself.
ἔν τε Ἱεροσολύμοις, and at Jerusalem. This addition of τε implies that even before coming to Jerusalem the Apostle had always dwelt among his own people, and so was not likely to be one who would undervalue Jewish privileges or offend against Jewish prejudices.
ἴσασι πάντες οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι, know all the Jews. Because in the persecutions of the Christians Saul had made himself a conspicuous character, and so had been in favour with the chief priests and allowed to undertake the mission to Damascus.