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Acts 24:16-21

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Scripture focus

16. And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and [toward] men. 17. Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings. 18. Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult. 19. Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me. 20. Or else let these same [here] say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council, 21. Except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day.

Acts 24:16-21 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Acts 24:16

Theological / Devotional

Herein. That is, in view of the faith, hope, and godly service of which he has already spoken (vs. 14, 15).

Exercise. Gr. asked, “to exercise,” “to strive,” “to take pains.” Paul takes his religious beliefs and practices seriously. To him religion is more than a philosophical system; it is a way of life. He strives earnestly to attain success in spiritual matters, which he considers vital to his happiness (see Matt. 7:24-27; Phil. 2:12, 13 ; 3:7-15).

A conscience. To Paul, conscience, the ability to distinguish between right and wrong, was of supreme importance (1 Tim. 1:5; 3:9; Heb. 9:14). Again he claims a clear conscience before God to the present moment (Acts 23:1; cf. Rom. 9:1; 2 Tim. 1:3; Heb. 13:18).

Void of offence. Gr. aproskopos, literally, “having nothing to strike against.” Throughout life all that Paul had done had been intended as service to God. Even as a persecutor Paul had conscientiously thought he was serving God (Acts 26:9, 10; cf. John 16:2). Thus, his life illustrates the fact that it is hardly less important to have an enlightened conscience than it is to be conscientious. The conscience, no matter how “good” it may already be, must be attentive to the voice of God (Isa. 30:21) and to His Word (Isa. 8:19, 20; 2 Tim. 3:15-17; cf. Matt. 24:21-27).

By SdaBc