Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
Our twelve tribes (to dwdekafulon hmwn). A word found only here in N.T. and in Christian and Jewish writings, though dwdekamhnon (twelve month) is common in the papyri and dekafulov (ten tribes) in Herodotus. Paul's use of this word for the Jewish people, like James 1:1 (taiv dwdeka fulaiv, the twelve tribes), shows that Paul had no knowledge of any "lost ten tribes." There is a certain national pride and sense of unity in spite of the dispersion (Page).
Earnestly (en ekteneiai). A late word from ekteinw, to stretch out, only here in N.T., but in papyri and inscriptions. Page refers to Simeon and Anna (Luke 2:25-28) as instances of Jews looking for the coming of the Messiah. Note the accusative of nukta kai hmeran as in Acts 20:31.
Hope to attain (elpizei katanthsai). This Messianic hope had been the red thread running through Jewish history. Today, alas, it is a sadly worn thread for Jews who refuse to see the Messiah in Jesus.
I am accused by Jews (egkaloumai upo Ioudaiwn). The very word used in Acts 23:28 (enekaloun) which see, and by Jews of all people in the world whose mainspring was this very "hope." It is a tremendously effective turn.
Other commentary entries containing this verse:
John 10:33
Acts 19:38
Acts 26:6
James 1:1
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