“Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself:”
Then Agrippa said to Paul, 'You have permission to speak for yourself.' So Paul motioned with his hand and began his defense. - Agrippa's permission ('You have permission to speak for yourself,' soi epitetraptal soi legein, soi epitetraptal soi legein-literally 'to you it is permitted to speak') grants Paul the floor. His gesture-motioning with his hand (kineō tēn cheira, kineō tēn cheira)-recalls the classical orator's pose. The defense (apologia, apologia) will be the longest of the three in Acts, the most developed retelling of his conversion, and addressed to a sympathetic Jewish audience of rank.
Church Fathers on Acts 26:1
Agrippa said to Paul, You are permitted to speak for yourself. Acts 26:1 From his great desire to hear, the king permits him to speak. But Paul speaks out immediately with boldness, not flattering, but for this reason saying that he is happy, namely, because (Agrippa) knew all. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself. I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before you touching all the things whereof I am accused of…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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