Acts 24:16

24:16 This is the reason ¹  I do my best to always ²  have a clear ³  conscience toward God and toward people. ⁴ 

Acts 24:2

24:2 When Paul ⁵  had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, ⁶  saying, “We have experienced a lengthy time ⁷  of peace through your rule, ⁸  and reforms ⁹  are being made in this nation ¹⁰  through your foresight. ¹¹ 

Colossians 1:12

1:12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified you to share ¹²  in the saints’ ¹³  inheritance in the light.

Colossians 1:1

Salutation

1:1 From Paul, ¹⁴  an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

Colossians 2:10

2:10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head over every ruler and authority.

¹ tn BDAG 329 s.v. ἐν 9.a, “ἐν τούτῳ πιστεύομεν this is the reason why we believe Jn 16:30; cp. Ac 24:16.”

² tn BDAG 224 s.v. διά 2.a, “διὰ παντός…always, continually, constantly…Ac 2:25 (Ps 15:8); 10:2; 24:16.” However, the positioning of the adverb “always” in the English translation is difficult; the position used is one of the least awkward.

³ tn BDAG 125 s.v. ἀπρόσκοπος 1 has “ἀ. συνείδησις a clear conscience Ac 24:16.”

⁴ tn Grk “men,” but this is a generic use (Paul does not have only males in view).

⁵ tn Grk “he”; the referent (Paul) has been supplied in the translation for clarity.

⁶ tn Or “began to bring charges, saying.”

⁷ tn Grk “experienced much peace.”

⁸ tn Grk “through you” (“rule” is implied).

⁹ tn This term is used only once in the NT (a hapax legomenon). It refers to improvements in internal administration (BDAG 251 s.v. διόρθωμα).

¹⁰ tn Or “being made for this people.”

¹¹ sn References to peaceful rule, reforms, and the governor’s foresight in the opening address by Tertullus represent an attempt to praise the governor and thus make him favorable to the case. Actual descriptions of his rule portray him as inept (Tacitus, Annals 12.54; Josephus, J. W. 2.13.2-7 [2.253-270]).

¹² tn BDAG 473 s.v. ἱκανόω states, “τινὰ εἴς τι someone for someth. Col 1:12.” The point of the text is that God has qualified the saints for a “share” or “portion” in the inheritance of the saints.

¹³ tn Grk “the inheritance of the saints.” The genitive noun τῶν ἁγίων (twn Jagiwn) is a possessive genitive: “the saints’ inheritance.”

¹⁴ tn Grk “Paul.” The word “from” is not in the Greek text, but has been supplied to indicate the sender of the letter.