Acts 26 29

Acts 26:29 kjv

And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.

Acts 26:29 nkjv

And Paul said, "I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains."

Acts 26:29 niv

Paul replied, "Short time or long?I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains."

Acts 26:29 esv

And Paul said, "Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am ? except for these chains."

Acts 26:29 nlt

Paul replied, "Whether quickly or not, I pray to God that both you and everyone here in this audience might become the same as I am, except for these chains."

Acts 26 verses

Acts 26 29 Meaning

The apostle Paul, speaking before King Agrippa and a distinguished assembly, expresses a profound personal desire and a strategic wish for their ultimate spiritual welfare. His ultimate wish is for them to become like him, except for his bonds, meaning he desires them to share his faith and experience salvation through Jesus Christ, not to endure the same imprisonment he suffers. This declaration reveals his compassionate heart and his earnest evangelistic passion, prioritizing spiritual freedom over physical suffering.

Acts 26 29 Context

This verse is part of Paul's defense before King Agrippa, Bernice, and Roman officials. Paul recounts his conversion experience and subsequent ministry. He has been arrested in Jerusalem and faced various trials, including being brought before the Sanhedrin and Felix. Now, he is before Agrippa, hoping for a different outcome, or perhaps a more receptive audience. The preceding verses (26:17-18) describe his divinely appointed mission: to open eyes, turn people from darkness to light, from the power of Satan to God, resulting in forgiveness of sins and a place among the sanctified through faith in Christ. This verse, 26:29, is Paul's deeply personal and fervent response to his audience after presenting his case, emphasizing his profound longing for their salvation.

Acts 26 29 Word Analysis

• "Ευχόμην" (euchomēn): This is the imperfect middle indicative of the Greek verb euchomai, meaning "to wish," "to pray," or "to desire earnestly." The imperfect tense suggests a continuous or ongoing wish. Paul's desire for them is not a fleeting thought but a deep, persistent yearning.
• "ἄν" (an): A particle indicating a hypothetical or potential condition, often used with conditional clauses or subjunctives. It signifies "if only" or "would that."
• "τὸν (ton):" The definite article "the."
• "μοῖον" (moion): (Misspelled in the prompt, should be πλην "plēn") Assuming it meant πλην (plēn), meaning "but" or "except." It introduces an exception or contrast.
• "ὃ" (ho): The relative pronoun "that" or "which."
• "καὶ (kai):" A conjunction meaning "and."
• "τὰ (ta):" The definite article "the."
• "δεσμὰ (desma):" The plural of desmos, meaning "bonds," "fetters," or "chains." This refers to Paul's imprisonment, a consequence of his faith.
• "ἐμὰ (ema):" The possessive adjective meaning "my."
• "πλήν (plēn):" (Correcting the presumed typo) "But" or "except."
• "καὶ (kai):" "and."
• "εἰ (ei):" "if."
• "βούλησε (boulēse):" The 2nd person singular present indicative active of boulomai, meaning "to wish," "to want," "to be willing." It is in a conditional clause.
• "ἅπαντας (hapantas):" The accusative plural masculine of hapás, meaning "all."
• "οὓς (hous):" The accusative plural masculine relative pronoun, "whom."
• "σήμερον (sēmeron):" "today."
• "μαρτύρομαί (martyromai):" The 1st person singular present middle/passive indicative of martyromai, meaning "to testify," "to bear witness." This links back to Paul's primary mission as stated in verse 18 and his ongoing action in the preceding verses.

Grouped Analysis:

• "Ευχόμην ἄν, πλην ὥστε καὶ ἅπαντας τοὺς σήμερον ἐμοὶ ὄντας δεσμους," (euchomēn an, plēn hōste kai hapantas tous sēmeron emoiontas desmous): This phrase conveys a powerful wish qualified by an exception. Paul wishes that "all who hear me today" could be as he is, with a crucial exception: "except for these chains." He earnestly prays for them to be converted, to share his spiritual conviction and relationship with Christ, but he does not wish for them to suffer the physical bondage he endures. The phrase "would that" (ἄν) expresses a strong, almost longing, desire. The exclusion of his bonds is paramount, indicating his priority is their spiritual freedom, not their shared suffering.

Acts 26 29 Bonus Section

This verse powerfully illustrates the concept of "being transformed" (2 Cor 3:18) rather than just suffering for a cause. Paul’s ultimate wish is for his listeners to undergo this inner transformation by Christ, a far greater good than sharing his external circumstances. His longing reflects the "woe is me" prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 6:5) but transforms it into a desire for others' salvation, much like Moses pleading for Israel (Exodus 32:32). His imprisonment is a testament to Christ’s power, as he himself acknowledges earlier in his defense (Acts 26:22-23). He yearns for Agrippa and his audience to experience the same life-changing encounter with Christ that broke his own spiritual chains, enabling him to face his physical chains with such remarkable composure and hope.

Acts 26 29 Commentary

Paul's fervent desire, "I wish that both in short and in great length," is a powerful expression of his evangelistic passion. He is not merely stating a passive wish but an active yearning for the spiritual transformation of those present. The exception, "except for these chains," is critical. It shows that while he desires them to share his faith, his union with Christ, and the blessings that come from it, he does not desire them to share his present suffering—his imprisonment. His ultimate goal is their eternal salvation and spiritual wholeness, not their temporal suffering. This demonstrates his Christ-like selflessness and deep love for people. His hope is for their freedom from sin, a freedom he finds through his relationship with Christ, a freedom far greater than any physical constraint.

Practical Usage Examples:

• A pastor passionately praying for their congregation to experience deeper faith, while simultaneously praying for their protection from worldly pressures.
• A mentor wishing for their protégé to achieve great success in their spiritual walk, even if it surpasses their own current achievements, without them having to face the same difficult circumstances.
• An evangelist, when sharing their testimony, expressing a desire for listeners to know Christ, but not necessarily to endure the same hardships the evangelist has faced in ministry.