Discovery BoxActs 26:18-20 
Context26:18 to open their eyes so that they turn 1 from darkness to light and from the power 2 of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a share 3 among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
26:19 “Therefore, King Agrippa, 4 I was not disobedient 5 to the heavenly 6 vision, 26:20 but I declared to those in Damascus first, and then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, 7 and to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, 8 performing deeds consistent with 9 repentance.
1 sn To open their eyes so that they turn… Here is Luke’s most comprehensive report of Paul’s divine calling. His role was to call humanity to change their position before God and experience God’s forgiveness as a part of God’s family. The image of turning is a key one in the NT: Luke 1:79; Rom 2:19; 13:12; 2 Cor 4:6; 6:14; Eph 5:8; Col 1:12; 1 Thess 5:5. See also Luke 1:77-79; 3:3; 24:47.
2 tn BDAG 352-53 s.v. ἐξουσία 2 states, “Also of Satan’s power Ac 26:18.” It is also possible to translate this “the domain of Satan” (cf. BDAG 353 s.v. 6)
3 tn Or “and an inheritance.”
4 sn See the note on King Agrippa in 25:13.
5 sn I was not disobedient. Paul’s defense is that he merely obeyed the risen Jesus. He was arrested for obeying heavenly direction and preaching the opportunity to turn to God.
6 tn According to L&N 1.5, “In Ac 26:19 the adjective οὐράνιος could be interpreted as being related simply to the meaning of οὐρανόςa ‘sky,’ but it seems preferable to regard οὐράνιος in this context as meaning simply ‘from heaven’ or ‘heavenly.’”
7 tn BDAG 1093-94 s.v. χώρα 2.b states, “of the provincial name (1 Macc 8:3) ἡ χώρα τῆς ᾿Ιουδαίας Ac 26:20.”
8 sn That they should repent and turn to God. This is the shortest summary of Paul’s message that he preached.
9 tn BDAG 93 s.v. ἄξιος 1.b, “καρποὶ ἄ. τῆς μετανοίας fruits in keeping with your repentance…Lk 3:8; Mt 3:8. For this ἄ. τῆς μετανοίας ἔργα Ac 26:20.” Note how Paul preached the gospel offer and the issue of response together, side by side.
