26:29a

Short time or long: This phrase in Greek is literally “both in little and in great.” There are several ways to interpret this phrase:

(1) Both “little” and “great” refer to time. Paul wants all the people at the meeting to believe in Jesus no matter how long it takes. For example:

Whether a short time or a long time (Good News Translation)

(Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New International Version, Good News Translation, New American Bible, Revised Edition, New American Standard Bible, New Living Translation (2004), Contemporary English Version, NET Bible, English Standard Version, New Century Version)

(2) “Little” refers to time and “great” refers to degree. Paul wants people in the meeting to believe soon and to be fully convinced that Jesus is the Christ. For example:

quickly and completely (God’s Word)

(God’s Word, King James Version)

(3) Both “little” and “great” refer to effort. Paul wants all the people at the meeting to believe in Jesus no matter how much effort on his part it takes. For example:

Little or much (New Jerusalem Bible)

(New Jerusalem Bible, Revised English Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because it continues the theme of time from 26:28b.

26:29b

I wish to God that: This clause indicates that Paul wishes earnestly that God would do as the following words describe. Other ways to translate this clause are:

I wish before God that (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
I pray to God that (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
I would wish to God (New American Standard Bible)

26:29c

may become what I am: Paul implied here that he wanted all the people at the meeting to believe in Jesus as the Christ, just as he did. But he only spoke indirectly to allow them to discover the correct meaning. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

might become such as I am (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
would become just like me (Contemporary English Version)

In some languages a literal translation would imply a different meaning. If so, you may want to:

• Explain the implied meaning in your translation. For example:

would be saved and be like me (New Century Version)
-or-
would believe in Jesus wholeheartedly just like me

• Translate literally and explain the meaning in a footnote. An example footnote is:

Paul implied here that he wanted all the people at the meeting to believe in Jesus as the Christ, just as he did.

except for these chains: Paul was in chains because of his faith in Jesus as the Christ. He wanted the people to believe just as he did; but he did not want them to be chained. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

except for these chains I have (New Century Version)
-or-
but I do not want you to wear chains as I am today

these chains: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as chains can also have a figurative meaning: ‘be a prisoner.’ For example:

except for being a prisoner (God’s Word)

But with the word these, it more likely refers to actual chains, as the Berean Standard Bible and many English versions translate.

General Comment on 26:29a–c

The phrase “Short time or long” (26:29a) refers to the time needed for people to become as Paul (26:29c). In some languages, it is more natural to have the time phrase nearer the part it connects to. For example:

29aPaul replied, 29b“I wish to God that not only you but all who hear me this day 29cmay become what I am, 29awhether it takes a short time or a long time, 29cexcept for these chains.

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