📖 Biblical Definition
Herod Agrippa II (c. AD 27-100) was the great-grandson of Herod the Great and the last reigning Herod — ruler of small territories in northern Palestine and overseer of the temple in Jerusalem under Roman delegation. He visited Festus the new procurator at Caesarea, and Festus invited him to hear Paul’s case (Acts 25:13-26:32). Paul, knowing Agrippa was expert in Jewish customs and prophecies, made his bold defense before him — recounting his Damascus-road encounter and pressing the gospel directly. Agrippa famously answered: "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian" (Acts 26:28). Paul’s reply pierces still: "I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds."
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
AGRIPPA — a Latin proper name; preserved as the king who came nearly to faith and stopped at almost.
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Webster 1828 omits the proper name. Acts records the most poignant near-miss in Scripture: a king who knew the prophets, listened attentively, conceded the relevance of the gospel, and refused to cross the line. His “almost” is the epitaph of the cultured hearer who never bowed.
📖 Key Scripture
Acts 26:1 — "Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You are permitted to speak for yourself.” So Paul stretched out his hand and answered for himself."
Acts 26:27 — "King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe."
Acts 26:28 — "Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.”"
Acts 26:32 — "Then Agrippa said to Festus, “This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”"
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Almost is not enough. Agrippa is the warning every preacher fears.
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Agrippa heard the case, knew the Scriptures, conceded that Paul was innocent, and walked out unsaved. The modern church is full of Agrippas — informed, respectful, even fond of preachers, but unwilling to cross the threshold of repentance and confession.
The corruption is the confidence that proximity equals possession. Almost-Christian is not Christian. The kingdom is not entered by appreciation, but by the narrow gate of surrender. Agrippa heard, agreed, and was lost.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Latin Agrippa; paired with peithō (G3982, to persuade) and Christianos (G5546).
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G67 — Agrippas — Agrippa; Herodian king
G3982 — peithō — to persuade, convince
G5546 — Christianos — Christian; first applied at Antioch
Usage
"King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? (Acts 26:27)."
"You almost persuade me to become a Christian (Acts 26:28)."
"Almost is the saddest word in any conversion story."