Bible Strands
Acts 23:1
Paul looked directly at the Sanhedrin and said, “Brothers, I have conducted myself before God in all good conscience to this day.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Sanhedrin immediately before the high priest orders him struck on the mouth. He speaks to the council members as "Brothers" while defending himself.
The words — Ἀτενίσας (Atenisas) means "having looked intently," and ἄνδρες (andres) translates literally as "Men."
The thread — Paul later echoes this theme in Acts 24:16, 2 Corinthians 1:12, and 2 Timothy 1:3 when describing his commitment to maintaining a clear conscience before God.
Why it lands — The text records Paul’s claim of a clear conscience before God, requiring the reader to examine whether their own conduct aligns with that standard.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.
Cross-references
- Acts 24:16 In this hope, I strive always to maintain a clear conscience before God and man.
- 2 Corinthians 1:12 For this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in relation to you, in the holiness and sincerity that are from God—not in worldly wisdom, but in the grace of God.
- 2 Timothy 1:3 I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience as did my forefathers, as I constantly remember you night and day in my prayers.
- Hebrews 13:18 Pray for us; we are convinced that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way.
- 1 Corinthians 4:4 My conscience is clear, but that does not vindicate me. It is the Lord who judges me.
- Acts 22:5 as the high priest and the whole Council can testify about me. I even obtained letters from them to their brothers in Damascus, and I was on my way to apprehend these people and bring them to Jerusalem to be punished.
- Proverbs 28:1 The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
- Acts 23:6 Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and the others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee. It is because of my hope in the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.”
- 2 Corinthians 4:2 Instead, we have renounced secret and shameful ways. We do not practice deceit, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by open proclamation of the truth, we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
- Acts 6:15 All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.