Bible Strands
Acts 24:16
In this hope, I strive always to maintain a clear conscience before God and man.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul addresses Roman Governor Felix during his legal defense, explicitly linking his present conduct to the hope of resurrection stated in the preceding verse.
The words — The text highlights ἀσκῶ (askō), translated literally as "I exercise" or "strive," and συνείδησιν (suneidēsin), meaning "conscience," modified by ἀπρόσκοπον (aproskopon), "without offense."
The thread — The text's claim of an unoffending conscience before God and man runs parallel to Paul's Sanhedrin address in Acts 23:1, his pastoral directive in 1 Timothy 1:5, and his ministry defense in 2 Corinthians 4:2.
Why it lands — The text requires that outward behavior consistently matches internal conviction, demanding active discipline rather than assuming moral integrity follows from belief alone.
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 herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.
Cross-references
- 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.”
- 1 Timothy 1:5 The goal of our instruction is the love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and a sincere faith.
- 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.
- Hebrews 10:22 let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
- Romans 2:15 So they show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts either accusing or defending them
- 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.
- 1 Peter 3:21 And this water symbolizes the baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body, but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
- 1 Corinthians 4:4 My conscience is clear, but that does not vindicate me. It is the Lord who judges me.
- 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.
- Titus 1:15 To the pure, all things are pure; but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure. Indeed, both their minds and their consciences are defiled.