And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.
Parallel translations
- WEB Paul, looking steadfastly at the council, said, “Brothers, I have lived before God in all good conscience until today.”
- BSB Paul looked directly at the Sanhedrin and said, “Brothers, I have conducted myself before God in all good conscience to this day.”
- NKJV Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, “Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.”
- NASB Now looking intently at the Council, Paul said, “Brothers, I have lived my life with an entirely good conscience before God up to this day.”
- NLT Gazing intently at the high council, Paul began: “Brothers, I have always lived before God with a clear conscience!”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Paul looks intently at the council and declares he has lived before God in all good conscience to that day. He opens his defense with bold integrity.
Overview
Paul's claim of a clear conscience refers to his sincere, God-fearing manner of life, even when previously mistaken (compare 1 Timothy 1:13). It does not deny his need of grace but asserts honest faithfulness. A conscience kept clear before God is the believer's confidence even when falsely accused (Acts 24:16).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 13
- Acts 24:16And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.
- 2 Cor 1:12For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.
- 2 Tim 1:3I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;
- Heb 13:18Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.
- 1 Cor 4:4For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.
- Acts 22:5As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished.
- Acts 23:6But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.
- Prov 28:1The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.
- 2 Cor 4:2But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
- Acts 22:30On the morrow, because he would have known the certainty wherefore he was accused of the Jews, he loosed him from his bands, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down, and set him before them.
- 1 Pet 3:16Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
- Acts 6:15And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.
- Acts 22:1Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you.
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Christ at the center
Acts is the risen Christ continuing his work by the Spirit through the church, as the apostles preach that there is salvation in no other name under heaven.
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Original language
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