Acts 26:22 – Therefore, having obtained help from God, to this day I stand, witnessing both to small and great, saying no other things than those which the prophets and Moses said would come…
Paul has just finished telling his conversion story to King Agrippa and the Roman governor Festus. As always he spoke about His encounter with the resurrected and glorified Jesus of Nazareth. He finished by telling them that through all of his journeys and the attacks on his life the Lord has been his help. Paul used the word epikourias for the word help which is describing help you would receive from an attendant during battle. Here is how Strong’s Wordbook describes this word.
“epikourías, fem. noun from epíkouros, one who assists, a helper, especially in war, a military ally. Help . Epíkouroi were mercenaries helping troops, in contrast to the citizen soldiers who were known as polítai”
Ministry can often be difficult with the spirit and culture of the world being against you. It can be seen as a war but the weapons of our warfare are not physical but spiritual. As we go forward into what feels like a headwind, the help of God is carrying us along. Here is how Matthew Henry describes this help.
“Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day. I have stood by what I said and have not been afraid or ashamed to persist in it.” What was it that supported him? Not any strength of his own resolutions, but having obtained help of God; without that help, he could not have gone on with the work. Those who are employed in work for God will obtain help from God. Our continuation to this day must be attributed to help that we have obtained from God. The preachers of the Gospel could never have done as they did unless they had received direct help from heaven.”
There is always a kickback against the power of God but it is absolutely impossible that anything can stop the move of God. As we join together and go forward with the gospel there is literally a tailwind of help carrying us along. This is what Paul was describing. It would have been impossible for Paul to effect Galatia, Asia Minor, and Southern Europe especially with the resistance he faced everywhere he went. The fact that he accomplished so much bears witness that the Lord was helping him and leading him in victory through every battle.
