Acts 24:16

And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men. AND HEREIN, [ en (G1722) toutoo (G5129)] - rather, 'on this ground,' 'accordingly,' or, in view of that awful day just referred to (2 Corinthians 5:10), DO I EXERCISE MYSELF. The "I" here is emphatic [autos (G846 )]: Q.D., 'WHATEVER THEY DO, THIS IS MY STUDY,' _ To have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men. (Compare Acts 23:1_ ;...

− 16._And herein do I study. _There is no sharper prick to prick men forward, with all desire to lead a godly and holy life, than the hope of the last resurrection, as the Scripture teacheth in many places. Therefore, when Paul will effectually exhort the people anywhere, he calleth them back to remember the same ( Philippians 3:20). Wherefore, it is not without cause that he saith in this place, that staying himself upon this faith, he hath endeavored to live purely before God, and righteously among men. And surely an evil conscience is as good as a thousand witnesses to accuse − (586) men of blockishness, that they may gather for a certainty that they do not earnestly and thoroughly believe eternal life, after which they never long. He calleth it a conscience, απροσκοπον, that is, without offense, where the

10-21 Paul gives a just account of himself, which clears him from crime, and likewise shows the true reason of the violence against him. Let us never be driven from any good way by its having an ill name. It is very comfortable, in worshipping God, to look to him as the God of our fathers, and to set up no other rule of faith or practice but the Scriptures. This shows there will be a resurrection to a final judgment. Prophets and their doctrines were to be tried by their fruits. Paul's aim was to have a conscience void of offence. His care and endeavour was to abstain from many things, and to abound in the exercises of religion at all times; both towards God. and towards man. If blamed for being more earnest in the things of God than our neighbours, what is our reply? Do we shrink from the accusation? How many in the world would rather be accused of any weakness, nay, even of wickedness...

Verse Acts 24:16. _AND HEREIN DO I EXERCISE MYSELF_] And this very tenet is a pledge for my good behaviour; for as I believe there will be a resurrection, both of the _just_ and _unjust_, and that _every man_ shall be judged for the _deeds done in the body_, so _I exercise_ _myself day and night, that I may have a conscience void of offence_ _toward God and toward men_. _TOWARD GOD_] In entertaining no opinion contrary to _his_ truth; and in offering no _worship_ contrary to _his_ dignity, purity, and excellence. TOWARD _MEN._] In _doing_ nothing to them that I would not, on a change of circumstances, they should do to me; and in _withholding_ nothing by which I might comfort and serve them....

AND HEREIN - In this, or for this purpose. DO I EXERCISE MYSELF - ἀσκῶ askō. I accustom or employ myself; I make it my constant aim. Paul often appeals to his conscientiousness as the leading habit of his life. Even before his conversion he endeavored to act according to the dictates of conscience. See Acts 26:9; compare Philippians 3:5. TO HAVE ALWAYS A CONSCIENCE ... - To do what is right, so that my conscience shall never reproach me. VOID OF OFFENCE - ἀπρόσκοπον aproskopon. That which is inoffensive, or which does not cause one to s

EXPOSITION ACTS 24:1 _The high priest Ananias came down _for _Ananias the high priest descended, _A.V.; _certain elders _for _the elders, _A.V. and T.R.; _an orator, one Tertullus _for _a certain orator named Tertullus, _A.V.; _and they _for _who, _A.V. AFTER FIVE DAYS. Of which the first was the day on which St. Paul left Jerusalem, and the fifth that on which Ananias and his companions appeared before Felix (see Acts 24:11, note). TERTULLUS. A Latin name, formed from _Tertius, _as Lucullus from _Lucius_, Catullus from _Catius, _etc. INFORMED; ἐμφανίζω_, _in the sense of "laying an information" before a magistrate, only occurs elsewhere in...

AND HEREIN DO I EXERCISE MYSELF,.... Or because of this; on account of this doctrine of the resurrection of the dead, which is a doctrine according to godliness, and promotes and engages to a holy life and conversation, as the contrary tends to encourage a dissolute and sinful manner of living; see 1 Corinthians 15:32 The apostle studied, and laboured, and bent himself, and employed his thought, care, and time, TO HAVE ALWAYS A CONSCIENCE VOID OF OFFENCE TOWARD GOD AND TOWARD MAN; that is, to discharge every duty which God requires, and to give to every man what is due to him; so as to please God, and not offend men, neither Jew nor Gentile, nor the church of God; and so as that conscience may be clear of guilt, and may not be defiled with sin, being purged and purified by the blood of Christ. By a "conscience void of offence", is meant a good conversation;

CHAPTER 23 _ 1. Paul before the Sanhedrin (Acts 23:1)._ 2. The vision of the Lord (Acts 23:11). 3. The Conspiracy against Paul (Acts 23:12). 4. Paul taken to Caesarea (Acts 23:23). And now we find him addressing the Sanhedrin. For the last time the Jewish council is mentioned in this book. Three times before the Sanhedrin had been called together in connection with those who believed in the Lord Jesus (Acts 4:5; Acts 5:21;...

PAUL'S SPEECH. Paul does not speak till the procurator invites him to do so, according to the necessary order of all judicial proceedings. His speech is not quite so fine as that of Tertullus, yet while strictly to the point, as was necessary in the circumstances, it is full of elegant turns which have to some extent confused the scribes, so that the text is at some points uncertain. Felix has been for many years procurator; no further compliment is paid him. The twelve days of Acts 24:11 are apparently the sum of the seven days of Acts 21:27, and the five of Acts 24:1. But a few more must be added (Acts 21:17;...

A FLATTERING SPEECH AND A FALSE CHARGE (Acts 24:1-9)...