Acts 28:20

“For this cause therefore have I called for you, etc.] To let them know the true state of his case; that though he was a prisoner, it was not for any crime he had done, much less any of a capital nature; and that as he was no scandal to his country, so neither did he intend to raise any against it, or say or do anything which might bring it into contempt and danger: as well as to see [you] and speak with [you]; and keep up and maintain a free and friendly conversation together: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain; which was then upon him, and he pointed to; the true reason of which was, because he had preached that the Messiah the tribes of Israel were hoping and…”

“For this cause . . . have I called for you . . . because . . . for the hope of Israel--(See on Act 26:6-7). I am bound with this chain--"This cause is not so much mine as yours; it is the nation's cause; all that is dear to the heart and hope of Israel is bound up with this case of mine." From the touching allusions which the apostle makes to his chains, before Agrippa first, and here before the leading members of the Jewish community at Rome, at his first interview with them, one would gather that his great soul felt keenly his being in such a condition; and it is to this keenness of feeling, under the control of Christian principle, that we owe the noble use which he made of it in these…”

“Because that for the hope of Israel - On account of the hope which the Jews cherish of the coming of the Messiah; of the resurrection; and of the future state. See this explained in the notes on Acts 23:6. I am bound with this chain - See the notes on Acts 26:29. Probably he was attached constantly to a soldier by a chain. return to 'Top of Page'”

“The hope of Israel - What Israel hopes for, namely, the Messiah and the resurrection. Acts 28:21”

“this cause: Act 28:17, Act 10:29, Act 10:33 for the: Act 23:6, Act 24:15, Act 26:6, Act 26:7 this chain: That is, the chain with which he was bound to the "soldier that kept him" ( Act 28:16); a mode of custody which Dr. Lardner has shown was in use among the Romans. It is in exact conformity, therefore, with the truth of St. Paul's situation at this time, that he declares himself to be "an ambassador in a chain," εν \[Strong's G1722\], αλυσει \[Strong's G254\], ( Eph 6:20); and the exactness is the more remarkable, as αλυσις \[Strong's G254\], a chain is no where used in the singular number to express any other kind of custody. Act 26:29; Eph 3:1, Eph 4:1, Eph 6:20; Phi 1:13; Col 4:18; Ti2…”