Acts 28:20 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Paul says he wears his chain for the sake of the hope of Israel, and this is why he has summoned them.
What Does Acts 28:20 Mean?
Paul comes to the heart of his appeal. He has gathered these leaders, he says, because it is for the hope of Israel that he is bound with this chain.
The 'hope of Israel' is the promise that runs through all the law and prophets, the coming of the Messiah and the resurrection of the dead. Paul insists that he stands in chains not for abandoning that hope but for proclaiming its fulfillment in Jesus. His imprisonment is not a departure from the faith of his fathers but its very flowering. The gospel does not destroy the ancient hope; it answers it. Paul invites his hearers to see that the One they have long awaited has come, and that to follow Him is to embrace, not betray, the promise of Israel.
Acts 28:20 in the Original Language
elpis (ἐλπίς), 'hope' -- confident expectation grounded in God's promise, not mere wishing.
Frequently Asked Questions About Acts 28:20
What does Acts 28:20 mean?
Paul says he wears his chain for the sake of the hope of Israel, and this is why he has summoned them.