EXCEPT FOR THESE CHAINS

Passage: Acts 26:24-32

Key verse: 29

NIV

24 At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind,(A) Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning(B) is driving you insane.”

25 “I am not insane, most excellent(C) Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable. 26 The king is familiar with these things,(D) and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.”

28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”(E)

29 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.”(F)

30 The king rose, and with him the governor and Bernice(G) and those sitting with them. 31 After they left the room, they began saying to one another, “This man is not doing anything that deserves death or imprisonment.”(H)

32 Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free(I) if he had not appealed to Caesar.”(J)

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

24 And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, (A)you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.” 25 But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, (B)most excellent Festus, but I am speaking (C)true and (D)rational words. 26 For (E)the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.” 28 And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be (F)a Christian?”[a] 29 And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day (G)might become such as I am—except for (H)these chains.”

30 Then the king rose, and (I)the governor and Bernice and those who were sitting with them. 31 And when they had withdrawn, they said to one another, (J)“This man is doing nothing to deserve death or imprisonment.” 32 And Agrippa said to Festus, (K)“This man could have been set (L)free if he had not appealed (M)to Caesar.”

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Footnotes
  1. Acts 26:28 Or In a short time you would persuade me to act like a Christian!
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
1. Paul and Festus (24-26) Paul's life testimony culminated in his testifying to Jesus, who suffered and rose from the dead, and who brought the message of light to all people. Governor Festus interrupted Paul and accused him of being out of his mind. He thought his great learning had made him insane. This is a common reaction when we talk about how Jesus has changed us. Paul reacted calmly, saying he was not insane. Paul spoke only what was true and reasonable. 2. Paul and Agrippa (27-32) Then Paul asked King Agrippa directly, "Do you believe the prophets? I know you do." Paul had also offended Agrippa. He thought Paul was trying to make him into a Christian (as if that were a horrible thing!) Paul's response was actually his prayer for Agrippa. It should be our prayer for all unbelievers: "Short time or long, I pray that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains." Paul could easily have been set free. But he chose to follow God's leading to Rome.

Prayer: Lord, I pray that all people may listen to you and become like Paul.

One Word: '...except for these chains'