Acts 26:7

unto which promise This makes it clear that the promise was the sending of Him in whom all the families of the earth should be blessed.

our twelve tribes For the Jews regarded themselves as representing the whole race, and not merely the two tribes of the kingdom of Judah. And this no doubt was true. For tribal names continued to be preserved and with the people of Judah there came back many of the members of the previous captivity of Israel. Thus in the N. T. we find (Luke 2:36) that Anna was of the tribe of Aser, and St James addresses his Epistle (Acts 1:1.) "to the twelve tribes that are scattered abroad" and Paul himself knew that he was of the tribe of Benjamin. Cp. also 2 Chronicles 31:1. for evidence of the existence of some of the ten tribes after the Captivity. In T. B. Berachoth20 a Rabbi Jochanan says "I am from the root of Joseph."

instantly serving God i.e. earnestly serving God (as R. V.). The old use of the word "instantly" has disappeared, and is not very common in any writings but such as are marked by the use of Scripture phraseology, e. g. Latimer's Sermons, Bishop Pilkington's Works, &c.

For which hope's sake, king Agrippa The two last words are omitted in many MSS., in some only the last one.

I am accused of the Jews Emphatically placed to mark the inconsistency of the position. The Jews accuse Paul because he looks for the promise which was made to the forefathers of the Jewish race.