collapse all  

Text -- Acts 24:16 (NET)

Strongs On/Off
Context
24:16 This is the reason I do my best to always have a clear conscience toward God and toward people.
Parallel   Cross Reference (TSK)   ITL  
Table of Contents

Word/Phrase Notes
Robertson , Vincent , Wesley , JFB , Clarke , Calvin , TSK

Word/Phrase Notes
Barnes , Poole , Gill

Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes

Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis , Combined Bible , Maclaren , MHCC , Matthew Henry , Barclay , Constable , College , McGarvey

collapse all
Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)

Robertson: Act 24:16 - -- Herein ( en toutōi ). His whole confession of belief in Act 24:14, Act 24:15.

Herein ( en toutōi ).

His whole confession of belief in Act 24:14, Act 24:15.

Robertson: Act 24:16 - -- Do I also exercise myself ( kai autos askō ). "Do I also myself take exercise,"take pains, labour, strive. Old word in Homer to work as raw materia...

Do I also exercise myself ( kai autos askō ).

"Do I also myself take exercise,"take pains, labour, strive. Old word in Homer to work as raw materials, to adorn by art, then to drill. Our word ascetic comes from this root, one who seeks to gain piety by rules and severe hardship. Paul claims to be equal to his accusers in efforts to please God.

Robertson: Act 24:16 - -- Void of offence ( aproskopon ). This word belongs to the papyri and N.T. (only in Paul), not in the ancient writers. The papyri examples (Moulton Mil...

Void of offence ( aproskopon ).

This word belongs to the papyri and N.T. (only in Paul), not in the ancient writers. The papyri examples (Moulton Milligan, Vocabulary ) use the word to mean "free from hurt or harm."It is a privative and proskoptō (to cut or stumble against). Page likes "void of offence"since that can be either active "not stumbling"as in Phi 1:10 or passive "not stumbled against"as in 1Co 10:32 (the first toward God and the second toward men), the only other N.T. examples. Hence the word here appears in both senses (the first towards God, the second towards men). Paul adds "alway"(dia pantos ), a bold claim for a consistent aim in life. "Certainly his conscience acquitted him of having caused any offence to his countrymen"(Rackham). Furneaux thinks that it must have been wormwood and gall to Ananias to hear Paul repeat here the same words because of which he had ordered Paul to be smitten on the mouth (Act 23:1.).

Vincent: Act 24:16 - -- Exercise myself ( ἀσκῶ ) Originally, to work raw material, to form: hence, to practise , exercise, discipline; and so, in ecclesiast...

Exercise myself ( ἀσκῶ )

Originally, to work raw material, to form: hence, to practise , exercise, discipline; and so, in ecclesiastical language, to mortify the body. Of the kindred adjective ἀσκητικός our word ascetic is a transcript.

Vincent: Act 24:16 - -- Void of offence ( ἀπτόσκοπον ) Lit., without stumbling; unshaken. The word is used thus in a passive sense here, as in Phi 1:10...

Void of offence ( ἀπτόσκοπον )

Lit., without stumbling; unshaken. The word is used thus in a passive sense here, as in Phi 1:10. In 1Co 10:32, it occurs in the active sense of giving offence to others, or causing them to stumble.

Wesley: Act 24:16 - -- With a view to this, I also exercise myself - As well as they.

With a view to this, I also exercise myself - As well as they.

JFB: Act 24:16 - -- On this account, accordingly; that is, looking forward to that awful day (compare 2Co 5:10).

On this account, accordingly; that is, looking forward to that awful day (compare 2Co 5:10).

JFB: Act 24:16 - -- The "I" here is emphatic; "Whatever they do, this is my study."

The "I" here is emphatic; "Whatever they do, this is my study."

JFB: Act 24:16 - -- See Act 23:1; 2Co 1:12; 2Co 2:17, &c.; that is, "These are the great principles of my life and conduct--how different from turbulence and sectarianism...

See Act 23:1; 2Co 1:12; 2Co 2:17, &c.; that is, "These are the great principles of my life and conduct--how different from turbulence and sectarianism!"

Clarke: Act 24:16 - -- And herein do I exercise myself - And this very tenet is a pledge for my good behavior; for as I believe there will be a resurrection, both of the j...

And herein do I exercise myself - And this very tenet is a pledge for my good behavior; 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 offense toward God and toward men

Clarke: Act 24:16 - -- Toward God - In entertaining no opinion contrary to his truth; and in offering no worship contrary to his dignity, purity, and excellence

Toward God - In entertaining no opinion contrary to his truth; and in offering no worship contrary to his dignity, purity, and excellence

Clarke: Act 24:16 - -- 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 mi...

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.

Calvin: Act 24:16 - -- 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 res...

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 ( Phi 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 servants of God labor to remove all lets which hinder their course. And he putteth two parts of the conscience. For there is a certain inward sense or feeling which beholdeth − 587 God alone, and thence cometh faithfulness and integrity which we use towards men. At length, when he saith that he hath constantly followed as well godliness in worshipping God, as just dealing among men, he signifieth unto us that those do indeed hope for the last resurrection who are never weary of well-doing. For this word always doth signify perseverance in a straight course. −

TSK: Act 24:16 - -- Act 23:1; Rom 2:15, Rom 9:1; 1Co 4:4; 2Co 1:12, 2Co 4:2; 1Th 2:10; 1Ti 1:5, 1Ti 1:19, 1Ti 3:9; 2Ti 1:3; Tit 1:15, Tit 2:11-13; Heb 9:14, Heb 10:22, He...

collapse all
Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)

Barnes: Act 24:16 - -- And herein - In this, or for this purpose. Do I exercise myself - ἀσκῶ askō . I accustom or employ myself; I make it my co...

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 Act 26:9; compare Phi 3:5-6.

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 stumble or fall. He means that he endeavored to keep his conscience so enlightened and pure in regard to duty, and that he acted according to its dictates in such a way that his conduct should not be displeasing to God or injurious to man. To have such a conscience implies two things:

(1)    That it be enlightened or properly informed in regard to truth and duty; and,

(2)    That what is made known to be right should be honestly and faithfully performed. Without these two things no man can have a conscience that will be inoffensive and harmless.

Toward God - In an honest endearour to discharge the duties of public and private worship, and to do constantly what he requires believing all that he has spoken; doing all that he requires; and offering to him the service which he approves.

Toward men - In endeavoring to meet all the demands of justice and mercy; to advance their knowledge, happiness, and salvation; living so that I may look back on my life with the reflection that I have done all that I ought to have done, and all that I could do to promote the welfare of the whole human family. What a noble principle of conduct was this! How elevated and how pure! How unlike the conduct of those who live to gratify debasing sensual appetites, or for gold or honor; of those who pass their lives in such a manner as to offer the grossest offence to God and to do the most injury to man. The great and noble aim of Paul was to be pure; and no slander of his enemies, no trials, persecutions, perils, or pains of dying could take away the approving voice of conscience. Alike in his travels and in his persecutions; among friends and foes; when preaching in the synal gogue, the city, or the desert; or when defending himself before governors and kings, he had this testimony of a self-approving mind. Happy they who thus frame their lives. And happy will be the end of a life where this has been the grand object of the journey through this world.

Poole: Act 24:16 - -- And herein or at this time, and in this business; or for this reason, to wit, because I believe the resurrection. I exercise myself I am altogether...

And herein or at this time, and in this business; or for this reason, to wit, because I believe the resurrection.

I exercise myself I am altogether taken up with it; this is my one thing necessary, Luk 10:42 .

To have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men that I may not offend God or man in any thing; but that I may be without blame at the judgment seat of God or man. They only are blessed and happy, whose belief concerning another world makes them endeavour after holiness in this world.

Gill: Act 24:16 - -- 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...

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 1Co 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; which as it respects God, lies in a carefulness not to offend him, but to do his will; and as it respects men, a shunning what may give offence, or be a stumbling to them; and though this cannot be perfectly attained to in each of its branches, yet there is in every good man a concern to have such a conscience; and the consideration of the resurrection of the dead, the general judgment, and a future state, induce him to it.

expand all
Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Act 24:16 Grk “men,” but this is a generic use (Paul does not have only males in view).

expand all
Commentary -- Verse Range Notes

TSK Synopsis: Act 24:1-27 - --1 Paul being accused by Tertullus the orator,10 answers for his life and doctrine.24 He preaches Christ to the governor and his wife.26 The governor h...

Combined Bible: Act 24:16 - --notes on verse 10     

Maclaren: Act 24:10-25 - --Paul Before Felix Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years ...

MHCC: Act 24:10-21 - --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 dri...

Matthew Henry: Act 24:10-21 - -- We have here Paul's defence of himself, in answer to Tertullus's charge, and there appears in it a great deal of the spirit of wisdom and holiness, ...

Barclay: Act 24:10-21 - --Beginning at the passage, "But some Jews from Asia Paul's grammar went wrong. He began to say one thing and in mid-career changed over to another so...

Constable: Act 9:32--Rom 1:1 - --III. THE WITNESS TO THE UTTERMOST PART OF THE EARTH 9:32--28:31 Luke next recorded the church's expansion beyond...

Constable: Act 19:21--Rom 1:1 - --D. The extension of the church to Rome 19:21-28:31 "The panel is introduced by the programmatic statemen...

Constable: Act 23:33--27:1 - --3. Ministry in Caesarea 23:33-26:32 Paul's ministry in Caesarea was from prison. Luke devoted ab...

Constable: Act 24:1-27 - --Paul's defense before Felix ch. 24 "The delivery of the prisoner Paul to Caesarea marked...

Constable: Act 24:10-21 - --Paul's defense before Felix 24:10-21 24:10 Paul's complimentary introduction was sincere and truthful. Felix had had contact with the Jews in Palestin...

College: Act 24:1-27 - --ACTS 24 2. Paul's Trial before Felix (24:1-21) The Accusations against Paul (24:1-9) 1 Five days later the high priest Ananias went down to Caesar...

McGarvey: Act 24:10-21 - --10-21. (10) " Then Paul answered (the governor nodding to him to speak): Knowing that you have been for many years a judge for this nation, I do the m...

expand all
Introduction / Outline

Robertson: Acts (Book Introduction) THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES By Way of Introduction But for the Acts we should know nothing of the early apostolic period save what is told in the Epi...

JFB: Acts (Book Introduction) THIS book is to the Gospels what the fruit is to the tree that bears it. In the Gospels we see the corn of wheat falling into the ground and dying: in...

JFB: Acts (Outline) INTRODUCTION--LAST DAYS OF OUR LORD UPON EARTH--HIS ASCENSION. (Act 1:1-11) RETURN OF THE ELEVEN TO JERUSALEM--PROCEEDINGS IN THE UPPER ROOM TILL PEN...

TSK: Acts (Book Introduction) The Acts of the Apostles is a most valuable portion of Divine revelation; and, independently of its universal reception in the Christian church, as an...

TSK: Acts 24 (Chapter Introduction) Overview Act 24:1, Paul being accused by Tertullus the orator, Act 24:10. answers for his life and doctrine; Act 24:24, He preaches Christ to the ...

Poole: Acts 24 (Chapter Introduction) CHAPTER 24

MHCC: Acts (Book Introduction) This book unites the Gospels to the Epistles. It contains many particulars concerning the apostles Peter and Paul, and of the Christian church from th...

MHCC: Acts 24 (Chapter Introduction) (Act 24:1-9) The speech of Tertullus against Paul. (Act 24:10-21) Paul's defence before Felix. (Act 24:22-27) Felix trembles at the reasoning of Pau...

Matthew Henry: Acts (Book Introduction) An Exposition, with Practical Observations, of The Acts of the Apostles We have with an abundant satisfaction seen the foundation of our holy religion...

Matthew Henry: Acts 24 (Chapter Introduction) We left Paul a prisoner at Caesarea, in Herod's judgment-hall, expecting his trial to come on quickly; for in the beginning of his imprisonment his...

Barclay: Acts (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES A Precious Book In one sense Acts is the most important book in the New Testament. It is the simple truth t...

Barclay: Acts 24 (Chapter Introduction) A Flattering Speech And A False Charge (Act_24:1-9) Paul's Defence (Act_24:10-21) Plain Speaking To A Guilty Governor (Act_24:22-27)

Constable: Acts (Book Introduction) Introduction Title The title "Acts of the Apostles" is very ancient. The Anti-Marcioni...

Constable: Acts (Outline) Outline I. The witness in Jerusalem 1:1-6:7 A. The founding of the church 1:1-2:46 ...

Constable: Acts Acts Bibliography Albright, William Foxwell. The Archaeology of Palestine. 1949. Revised ed. Pelican Archaeolog...

Haydock: Acts (Book Introduction) THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. INTRODUCTION. St. Luke, who had published his gospel, wrote also a second volume, which, from the first ages, hath bee...

Gill: Acts (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO ACTS This book, in some copies, is called, "The Acts of the holy Apostles". It contains an history of the ministry and miracles of ...

College: Acts (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION As early as the second century the title "The Acts of the Apostles" was given to this document. Before that time the work probably circu...

College: Acts (Outline) OUTLINE I. THE CHURCH IN JERUSALEM - 1:1-8:1a A. INTRODUCTION OF THE BOOK - 1:1-3 B. THE COMMISSIONING OF THE APOSTLES - 1:4-8 C. THE ASCENSI...

Advanced Commentary (Dictionaries, Hymns, Arts, Sermon Illustration, Question and Answers, etc)


TIP #07: 'Click the Audio icon (NT only) to listen to the NET Bible Audio New Testament.' [ALL]
created in 0.09 seconds
powered by
bible.org - YLSA