“My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews;”
'The Jewish people all know the way I have lived my whole life from my youth, spent in my own country and also in Jerusalem. - Paul establishes his credentials as a Jew: his entire life (zōē, zōē) has been lived publicly in the Jewish homeland. 'From my youth' (apo neotētos, apo neotētos) emphasizes continuity with Jewish life. The reference to Jerusalem (where his activity as a zealous persecutor would have been known) strengthens his claim: he did not come to Judaism as an outsider but was formed entirely within it.
Church Fathers on Acts 26:4
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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