Acts 24 · Verse 16

Acts 24:16

And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.
Acts 24:16, King James Version

Acts 24:16 in other translations

BSBIn this hope, I strive always to maintain a clear conscience before God and man.
WEBIn this I also practice always having a conscience void of offense toward God and men.
ASVHerein I also exercise myself to have a conscience void of offence toward God and men always.
YLTand in this I do exercise myself, to have a conscience void of offence toward God and men always.
DARBYFor this cause I also exercise myself to have in everything a conscience without offence towards God and men.
BBEAnd in this, I do my best at all times to have no reason for shame before God or men.
WebsterAnd in this I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offense towards God, and towards men.

What does Acts 24:16 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
16. And herein--On this account, accordingly; that is, looking forward to that awful day (compare 2Co 5:10). I exercise myself--The "I" here is emphatic; "Whatever they do, this is my study." to have always a conscience void of offence, &c.--See Ac 23:1; 2Co 1:12; 2:17, &c.; that is, "These are the great principles of my life and conduct--how different from turbulence and sectarianism!"

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 16. And herein. In this, or for this purpose.

Do I exercise myself. ασκω. I accustom or employ myself; I make it my constant aim and endeavour. It is the purpose of my constant study. Paul often appeals to his conscientiousness as the leading habit of his life. Even before his conversion he endeavoured to act according to the dictates of conscience. See Acts 26:9. Comp. Php 3:5,6.

To have always a conscience, etc. To do that which is right, so that my conscience shall approve of it, and never reproach me.

Void of offence. αροσκοπον. That which is inoffensive, or which does not cause one to stumble or fall. lie means, that he endeavoured 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 that which is made known to be right should be honestly and faithfully performed. Without these two things, no man can have a conscience that shall be inoffensive and harmless.

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

Toward men. In endeavouring to meet all the demands of justice and mercy; to advance their knowledge, happiness, and salvation; 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 devoted, and how pure! How unlike the conduct of those who live to gratify debasing sensual appetites, or for gold or honour; and 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, or perils, and no 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 synagogue, 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.

(g) "have always" Acts 23:1

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 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 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. 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.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Acts 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 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…

Read the full comment on Acts 24:10-21 →

Acts 24:16 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ἐνenInG1722
τούτῳtoutōthisG3778
καὶkaialsoG2532
αὐτὸςautosI myselfG846
ἀσκῶaskōstriveG778
ἀπρόσκοπονaproskoponwithout offenseG677
συνείδησινsuneidēsina conscienceG4893
ἔχεινecheinto haveG2192
πρὸςprostowardG4314
τὸνton<the>G3588
θεὸνtheonGodG2316
καὶkaiandG2532
τοὺςtous<the>G3588
ἀνθρώπουςanthrōpousmenG444
διὰdiathroughG1223
παντός.¶pantosall [times].G3956

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Acts 24:16

  • 1 Timothy 1:5

    Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:

  • Acts 23:1

    And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.

  • 2 Corinthians 4:2

    But 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.

  • Hebrews 10:22

    Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

  • Romans 2:15

    Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)

  • 1 Peter 3:21

    The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

  • 2 Corinthians 1:12

    For 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.

  • 1 Corinthians 4:4

    For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.

  • Titus 1:15

    Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.

  • 2 Timothy 1:3

    I 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;

  • Hebrews 13:18

    Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.

  • Titus 2:11-13

    For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
23:1; Ro 2:15; 9:1; 1Co 4:4; 2Co 1:12; 4:2; 1Th 2:10; 1Ti 1:5,19; 3:9
2Ti 1:3; Tit 1:15; 2:11-13; Heb 9:14; 10:22; 13:18; 1Pe 2:19; 3:16,21

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Acts 24:15

    And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

  • Acts 24:16

    And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.

  • Acts 24:17

    Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.

Read all of Acts 24

Acts 24:16 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y por esto, procuro yo tener siempre conciencia sin remordimiento acerca de Dios y acerca de los hombres.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		À cause de cela, moi aussi je m’exerce à avoir toujours une conscience sans reproche devant Dieu et devant les hommes.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Darum übe ich mich auch, allezeit ein Gewissen ohne Anstoß zu haben vor Gott und den Menschen.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		In hoc et ipse studeo sine offendiculo conscientiam habere ad Deum et ad homines semper.