“Especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.”
'Especially so because you are well acquainted with all the Jewish customs and controversies. Therefore, I beg you to listen to me patiently. - Paul appeals to Agrippa's knowledge: the king, raised in the Jewish tradition, understands both 'customs' (ethos, ethos) and 'controversies' (zētēma, zētēma-'questions at issue'). His request for patient hearing ('listen...patiently,' makrothymeō, makrothymeō-'be long-suffering, forbearing') treats Agrippa as capable of understanding nuance. Paul's tone is respectful, strategic, and appealing to the king's intellectual capacity.
Church Fathers on Acts 26:3
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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