Clarke's Bible Commentary - Acts 26:16
Verse 16. But rise, &c.] The particulars mentioned here, and in the two following verses, are not given in chap. ix. 1-9, nor in chap. xxii. 6-11, where he gives an account of his conversion. He has detailed the different circumstances of that important event, as he saw it necessary; and perhaps there were several others which then took place, that he had no opportunity of mentioning, because there was nothing in succeeding occurrences which rendered it necessary to produce them. To make thee a minister] uphrethn, An under-rower; that is, one who is under the guidance and authority of another; an assistant, or servant. So Paul was to act solely under the authority of Jesus Christ; and tug hard at the oar, in order to bring the vessel, through the tempestuous ocean, to the safe harbour. See the concluding observations on John 6, John vi. 71.
And a witness] martura, A martyr. Though this word literally means a witness, yet we apply it only to such persons as have borne testimony to the truth of God at the hazard and expense of their lives. In this sense, also, ancient history states St. Paul to have been a witness; for it is said he was beheaded at Rome, by the command of Nero.
In the which I will appear] Here Christ gives him to understand that he should have farther communications from himself; and this may refer either to those interpositions of Divine Providence by which he was so often rescued from destruction, or to those encouragements which he received in dreams, visions, trances, &c., or to that general inspiration under which he was enabled to apprehend and reveal the secret things of God, for the edification of the Church. To all of which may be added that astonishing power by which he was so often enabled to work miracles for the confirmation of the truth.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 16. But rise and stand upon thy feet , etc.] This, and what follows in this and the two next verses, are not in any of the former accounts; and these words are used not only because Saul was fallen to the earth, and are an encouragement to rise up, and stand corporeally, but to take heart, and be of good cheer; for though he had acted so vile and cruel a part by Christ, and his people, yet he had designs of grace, and good will to him; and this appearance was not for his destruction, but for his honour, comfort, and usefulness: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose ; not to take vengeance for past offences, but for the ends hereafter mentioned: and this appearance of Christ was real, corporeal, and personal, and not imaginary, or merely visionary and intellectual; and it was to this sight of Christ he more than once refers, partly in proof of Christs resurrection from the dead, and partly to demonstrate the truth of his apostleship, ( 1 Corinthians 9:1, 15:8). to make thee a minister and a witness, both of those things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee ; so that he was an apostle, not of men, nor by man, but by Jesus Christ, as he himself says, ( Galatians 1:1). He was a minister, not of mans making, but of Christs; and they are the only true ministers of the Gospel, who are made by Christ, who have their mission and commission, their qualifications, gifts, and abilities, their doctrine, work, and wages from him: and the apostles work, as a minister, was to be a witness; it was to testify what he had seen of Christ corporeally; and what knowledge of his person, office, and grace was now communicated to him by the spirit of wisdom and revelation; and what should hereafter be made known to him, either mediately by Ananias, or immediately by Christ and his Spirit; for the apostle had after appearances, visions, and revelations; (see Acts 22:17,18, 23:11, 2 Corinthians 12:1-4,7).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 12-23 - Paul was made a Christian by Divine power; by a revelation of Chris both to him and in him; when in the full career of his sin. He was mad a minister by Divine authority: the same Jesus who appeared to him in that glorious light, ordered him to preach the gospel to the Gentiles A world that sits in darkness must be enlightened; those must be brought to know the things that belong to their everlasting peace, wh are yet ignorant of them. A world that lies in wickedness must be sanctified and reformed; it is not enough for them to have their eye opened, they must have their hearts renewed; not enough to be turne from darkness to light, but they must be turned from the power of Sata unto God. All who are turned from sin to God, are not only pardoned but have a grant of a rich inheritance. The forgiveness of sins make way for this. None can be happy who are not holy; and to be saints in heaven we must be first saints on earth. We are made holy, and saved by faith in Christ; by which we rely upon Christ as the Lord ou Righteousness, and give up ourselves to him as the Lord our Ruler; by this we receive the remission of sins, the gift of the Holy Ghost, an eternal life. The cross of Christ was a stumbling-block to the Jews and they were in a rage at Paul's preaching the fulfilling of the Ol Testament predictions. Christ should be the first that should rise from the dead; the Head or principal One. Also, it was foretold by the prophets, that the Gentiles should be brought to the knowledge of God by the Messiah; and what in this could the Jews justly be displease at? Thus the true convert can give a reason of his hope, and a goo account of the change manifest in him. Yet for going about and callin on men thus to repent and to be converted, vast numbers have bee blamed and persecuted.
Greek Textus Receptus
αλλα 235 CONJ αναστηθι 450 5628 V-2AAM-2S και 2532 CONJ στηθι 2476 5628 V-2AAM-2S επι 1909 PREP τους 3588 T-APM ποδας 4228 N-APM σου 4675 P-2GS εις 1519 PREP τουτο 5124 D-ASN γαρ 1063 CONJ ωφθην 3700 5681 V-API-1S σοι 4671 P-2DS προχειρισασθαι 4400 5664 V-ADN σε 4571 P-2AS υπηρετην 5257 N-ASM και 2532 CONJ μαρτυρα 3144 N-ASM ων 3739 R-GPN τε 5037 PRT ειδες 1492 5627 V-2AAI-2S ων 3739 R-GPN τε 5037 PRT οφθησομαι 3700 5701 V-FPI-1S σοι 4671 P-2DS
Vincent's NT Word Studies
16. Have I appeared (wfqhn). See on Luke xxii. 43.To make (proceirisasqai). Better, as Rev., appoint. See on ch. iii. 20. A minister and a witness. See on Matt. v. 25; Acts i. 22.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
26:16 {Arise and stand} (anasteqi kai steqi). "Emphatic assonance" (Page). Second aorist active imperative of compound verb (anistemi) and simplex (histemi). "Stand up and take a stand." {Have I appeared unto thee} (wfqen soi). First aorist passive indicative of horaw. See on Lu 22:43. {To appoint thee} (proceirisasqai se). See #3:30; 22:14 for this verb. {Both of the things wherein thou hast seen me} (hwn te eides me). The reading me (not in all MSS.) makes it the object of eides (didst see) and h"n is genitive of ha (accusative of general reference) attracted to the case of the unexpressed antecedent toutwn. Paul is thus a personal eyewitness of the Risen Christ (#Lu 1:1; 1Co 4:1; 9:1). {And of the things wherein I will appear unto thee} (hwn te ofqesomai soi). Here again h"n is genitive of the accusative (general reference) relative ha attracted to the case of the antecedent toutwn or ekeinwn as before. But ofqesomai is first future passive of horaw and cannot be treated as active or middle. Page takes it to mean "the visions in which I shall be seen by you," the passive form bringing out the agency of God. See those in #Ac 18:9; 23:11; 2Co 12:2. The passive voice, however, like apekriqen and efobeqen, did become sometimes transitive in the _Koin_ (Robertson, _Grammar_, p. 819).
