SEV Biblia, Chapter 26:4
Mi vida, pues, desde mi juventud, la cual desde el principio fue en mi nacin, en Jerusaln, todos los judíos la saben;
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Acts 26:4
Verse 4. My manner of life, &c.] The apostle means to state that, though born in Tarsus, he had a regular Jewish education, having been sent up to Jerusalem for that purpose; but at what age does not appear; probably about twelve, for at this age the male children were probably brought to the annual solemnities. See on Luke ii. 41.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 4. My manner of life, from my youth , etc.] That is, his conduct and deportment, his behaviour among men, from the time that he was capable of performing religious exercises, and of knowing the difference between one sect and another, and of being observed and taken notice of by men: which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem ; for though he was born in Tarsus in Cilicia, he was very early brought, or sent by his parents to Jerusalem, where he had his education under Gamaliel; so that the first part of his life was spent in Jerusalem, the metropolis of Judea, and among the Jews there; the more learned and knowing part of them, Gamaliels pupils, and the wise men and their disciples: and his course of life must be well known to them, as he says, this know all the Jews ; that had any knowledge of him, and conversation with him.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-11 - Christianity teaches us to give a reason of the hope that is in us, an also to give honour to whom honour is due, without flattery or fear of man. Agrippa was well versed in the Scriptures of the Old Testament therefore could the better judge as to the controversy about Jesu being the Messiah. Surely ministers may expect, when they preach the faith of Christ, to be heard patiently. Paul professes that he stil kept to all the good in which he was first educated and trained up. Se here what his religion was. He was a moralist, a man of virtue, and ha not learned the arts of the crafty, covetous Pharisees; he was no chargeable with any open vice and profaneness. He was sound in the faith. He always had a holy regard for the ancient promise made of God unto the fathers, and built his hope upon it. The apostle knew very well that all this would not justify him before God, yet he knew it wa for his reputation among the Jews, and an argument that he was not suc a man as they represented him to be. Though he counted this but loss that he might win Christ, yet he mentioned it when it might serve to honour Christ. See here what Paul's religion is; he has not such zea for the ceremonial law as he had in his youth; the sacrifices an offerings appointed by that, are done away by the great Sacrifice whic they typified. Of the ceremonial cleansings he makes no conscience, an thinks the Levitical priesthood is done away in the priesthood of Christ; but, as to the main principles of his religion, he is a zealous as ever. Christ and heaven, are the two great doctrines of the gospel; that God has given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. These are the matter of the promise made unto the fathers. The temple service, or continual course of religious duties, day and night was kept up as the profession of faith in the promise of eternal life and in expectation of it. The prospect of eternal life should engage u to be diligent and stedfast in all religious exercises. Yet the Sadducees hated Paul for preaching the resurrection; and the other Jew joined them, because he testified that Jesus was risen, and was the promised Redeemer of Israel. Many things are thought to be beyon belief, only because the infinite nature and perfections of Him tha has revealed, performed, or promised them, are overlooked. Pau acknowledged, that while he continued a Pharisee, he was a bitter enem to Christianity. This was his character and manner of life in the beginning of his time; and there was every thing to hinder his being Christian. Those who have been most strict in their conduct befor conversion, will afterwards see abundant reason for humblin themselves, even on account of things which they then thought ought to have been done.
Greek Textus Receptus
την 3588 T-ASF μεν 3303 PRT ουν 3767 CONJ βιωσιν 981 N-ASF μου 3450 P-1GS την 3588 T-ASF εκ 1537 PREP νεοτητος 3503 N-GSF την 3588 T-ASF απ 575 PREP αρχης 746 N-GSF γενομενην 1096 5637 V-2ADP-ASF εν 1722 PREP τω 3588 T-DSN εθνει 1484 N-DSN μου 3450 P-1GS εν 1722 PREP ιεροσολυμοις 2414 N-DPN ισασιν 2467 5758 V-RAI-3P παντες 3956 A-NPM οι 3588 T-NPM ιουδαιοι 2453 A-NPM
Vincent's NT Word Studies
4. My manner of life, etc. The repeated articles give additional precision to the statement: "the manner of life, that which was from my youth; that which was from the beginning."
Robertson's NT Word Studies
26:4 {My manner of life} (ten men oun biwsin mou). With men oun Paul passes from the _captatio benevolentiae_ (verses #1,2) "to the _narratio_ or statement of his case" (Page). biwsis is from biow (#1Pe 4:2) and that from bios (course of life). this is the only instance of biwsis yet found except the Prologue (10) of Ecclesiasticus and an inscription given in Ramsay's _Cities and Bishoprics of Phrygia_, Vol II, p. 650. {Know} (isasi). Literary form instead of the vernacular _Koin_ oidasin. Paul's early life in Tarsus and Jerusalem was an open book to all Jews.
