Acts 26:22
Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:
Acts 26:22 (KJV)
Context
Paul speaks these words in his defense before King Agrippa, Bernice, and the Roman governor Festus. Jewish accusers had charged him with breaking their law and teaching heresy. In reply, Paul tells the story of his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus and the complete change it brought. He explains that his preaching of repentance and turning to God, first in Damascus, then in Jerusalem, and then to the Gentiles, is why some Jews seized him in the temple and tried to kill him (Acts 26:20-21). Verse 22 is his answer to those charges.
Meaning
Paul begins by acknowledging that he has obtained help from God. The phrase points to divine enablement and protection. Paul had faced determined opposition and repeated attempts on his life, yet he traces his safety and effectiveness entirely to God’s grace, not to his own strength. When he says, “I continue unto this day,” he emphasizes perseverance and firm standing in his witness. Despite imprisonments, beatings, and constant danger, he remained faithful to his calling.
His testimony is given “both to small and great,” meaning to people of every social rank and importance. Paul did not limit his preaching to the influential or the learned; he proclaimed the gospel to anyone who would listen. This reflects the universal reach of the gospel and its offer of salvation to all people.
The heart of Paul’s defense is his claim that he says “none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come.” He is not preaching a new or heretical message. Instead, his teaching about the suffering of the Messiah, His resurrection as the first to rise from the dead, and the proclamation of light to both Jews and Gentiles is exactly what the Old Testament foretold. Paul’s message is firmly rooted in the promises and revelations of God throughout history.
Biblical connections
Paul’s argument shows the unity of Scripture. The gospel he preached is the fulfillment of what Moses and the prophets wrote. This continuity confirms that the Old and New Testaments tell one story of God’s redemption. Paul’s reliance on God’s help also echoes the broader biblical pattern of servants who depend on divine strength rather than their own ability.
Application
Paul’s example encourages believers to trust in God’s help for their own witness. The same God who sustained Paul is able to sustain every believer who shares the gospel. His perseverance challenges us to remain faithful even when we face opposition or discouragement. His example also reminds us to share the good news with all people, regardless of their status or background.
Paul’s consistency with Scripture calls us to measure our teaching and living by the Bible. Just as his message was rooted in the promises of God, our faith and practice should be grounded in the timeless truths of Scripture. When we speak for Christ, we can do so with confidence because our message is not our own invention but the fulfillment of what God has promised.
Reflection
Paul’s words invite us to consider our own dependence on God. Do we recognize that our effectiveness in serving Him comes from His help, not our abilities? Are we willing to persevere in witness even when it is costly? And do we treasure the unity of Scripture, seeing how the whole Bible points to Christ? Paul’s steadfastness and his deep roots in the Old Testament call us to a faith that is both dependent on God and anchored in His Word.
