Albert Barnes Commentary Acts 26:29

"And Paul [said], I would to God, that whether with little or with much, not thou only, but also all that hear me this day, might become such as I am, except these bonds." — Acts 26:29 (ASV)

I would to God. I pray to God; I earnestly desire it from God. This shows:

1. Paul's intense desire that Agrippa, and all who heard him, might be saved.
2. His steady and constant belief that only God could incline them to become altogether Christians.

Therefore, he expressed it as the object he earnestly sought from God: that they might be true believers. Paul knew well that nothing but the grace and mercy of God could overcome the human heart's reluctance to be an entire Christian.

He had presented to them the convincing arguments of religion, and he now poured out his earnest prayer to God that these arguments might be effective. Every faithful minister of the cross prays in this way.

All that hear me. This refers to Festus, and the military and civil officers who had been assembled to hear his defence (Acts 25:23).

Were both almost, and altogether. Paul had no higher wish for them than that they might have the faith and consolations which he himself had enjoyed. He held such a firm conviction of Christianity's truth and had experienced so much of its consolations and supports amid all his persecutions and trials. Consequently, his highest desire for them was that they might experience the same inexpressibly pure and holy consolations.

He knew well that there was neither happiness nor safety in being almost a Christian. He therefore desired that they would give themselves, as he had done, entirely and altogether to the service of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Except these bonds. These chains. This is a remarkably fitting and touching appeal. Probably Paul, when he said this, lifted up his arm with the chain attached to it. His wish was that they might partake of the pure joys religion had conferred on him; that in all other respects they might partake of the effects of the gospel, except those chains.

Those chains he did not wish them to bear. The persecutions, unjust trials, and confinements he had been called to suffer in the cause—these he did not desire them to endure. True Christians wish others to partake of the full blessings of religion. The external trials they themselves experience from unjust persecutions, ridicule, and slander—these they do not wish others to endure.

Likewise, the internal trials they experience from an evil heart, from corrupt passions, and from temptations—these they also do not wish others to experience. But even with these, religion confers infinitely more pure joy than the world can give. And even though others might be called to experience severe trials for their religion, Christians still wish that all would partake of the pure consolations that Christianity alone can provide in this world and the world to come.