Gazing intently at the high council, Paul began: “Brothers, I have always lived before God with a clear conscience!”
Parallel translations
- WEB Paul, looking steadfastly at the council, said, “Brothers, I have lived before God in all good conscience until today.”
- KJV And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.
- 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.”
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 24:16Herein I also practice always having a conscience void of offense toward God and men.
- 2 Cor 1:12For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and sincerity of God, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God we behaved ourselves in the world, and more abundantly toward you.
- 2 Tim 1:3I thank God, whom I serve as my forefathers did, with a pure conscience. How unceasing is my memory of you in my petitions, night and day
- Heb 13:18Pray for us, for we are persuaded that we have a good conscience, desiring to live honorably in all things.
- 1 Cor 4:4For I know nothing against myself. Yet I am not justified by this, but he who judges me is the Lord.
- Acts 22:5As also the high priest and all the council of the elders testify, from whom also I received letters to the brothers, and traveled to Damascus to bring them also who were there to Jerusalem in bonds 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 brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. Concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!”
- Prov 28:1The wicked flee when no one pursues; but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
- 2 Cor 4:2But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by the manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
- Acts 22:30But on the next day, desiring to know the truth about why he was accused by the Jews, he freed him from the bonds, and commanded the chief priests and all the council to come together, and brought Paul down and set him before them.
- 1 Pet 3:16having a good conscience; that, while you are spoken against as evildoers, they may be disappointed who curse your good way of life in Christ.
- Acts 6:15All who sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face like it was the face of an angel.
- Acts 22:1“Brothers and fathers, listen to the defense which I now make to you.”
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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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.
How Acts 23:1 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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