Then Agrippa said to Paul, "You are permitted to speak for yourself." So Paul stretched out his hand and answered for himself: "I think myself happy, King Agrippa, because today I shall answer for myself before you concerning all the things of which I am accused by the Jews, especially because you are expert in all customs and questions which have to do with the Jews. Therefore I beg you to hear me patiently.
Acts 26:1-3
Let us be reminded that this assembly before which Paul will now speak is not an official trial. Agrippa II knows that Paul has appealed to Caesar, and giving Paul an opportunity to speak for himself is merely an attempt to get some ideas about what to write to Caesar regarding why they were sending Paul his way.
If there was any other reason for this meeting, it may have been to satisfy Agrippa and Bernice’s curiosity about Paul and this Christian sect of Judaism (as they would have thought it to be). We know from Acts 25:22 that Agrippa was curious to hear Paul preach.
Even Agrippa’s invitation to Paul to speak is unlike a trial. Paul was not asked about the charges against him. He was invited to say whatever he wanted to say on his own behalf. Of course, Paul made a beeline for the gospel!
Paul began speaking with a hand motion. This waving of the arm and hand was a common way that orators in that day began to speak.
We will consider several components of Paul’s presentation to Agrippa in the coming blog posts. For now let’s just consider how respectful Paul was.
Paul was happy to speak to Agrippa. While the Romans were garbed in impressive clothing, Paul was in chains. This did not intimidate Paul who began to speak, as always, as a man on a mission to proclaim Christ and the gospel. Being in chains surely didn’t make Paul happy, but having the opportunity to preach Christ to a person as “important” as Agrippa thrilled Paul!
Paul was complimentary towards Agrippa about his expertise in Jewish ways. Was Paul “buttering Agrippa up?” Not in a disingenuous sort of way. Yes, saying affirming words to people often does help ensure that they will listen more intently. What Paul said about Agrippa’s knowledge was true, and therefore not rank flattery.
We could all learn from this in our snarky, in-your-face culture. Even when we disagree, let us always seek to be agreeable with everyone to whom we speak. Civility, politeness, and just plain good manners are ways in which Christians must speak—especially when representing Christ and the gospel.