Acts 23
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
I have lived in all good conscience - Some people seem to have been unnecessarily stumbled with this expression. What does the apostle mean by it? Why, that, while he was a Jew, he was one from principle of conscience; that what he did, while he continued Jew, he did from the same principle; that, when God opened his eyes to see the nature of Christianity, he became a Christian, because God persuaded his conscience that it was right for him to become one; that, in a word, he was sincere through the whole course of his religious life, and his conduct had borne the most unequivocal proofs of it. The apostle means, therefore, that there was no part of his life in which he acted as a dishonest or hypocritical man; and that he was now as fully determined to maintain his profession of Christianity as he ever was to maintain that of Judaism, previously to his acquaintance with the Christian religion.
Open source ↗PAUL'S DEFENSE BEFORE THE SAMHEDRIM DIVIDES THE RIVAL FACTIONS, FROM WHOSE VIOLENCE THE COMMANDANT HAS THE APOSTLE REMOVED INTO THE FORTRESS. (Act 23:1-10) Paul, earnestly beholding the council--with a look of conscious integrity and unfaltering courage, perhaps also recognizing some of his early fellow pupils. I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day--The word has an indirect reference to the "polity" or "commonwealth of Israel," of which he would signify that he had been, and was to that hour, an honest and God-fearing member.
Open source ↗And Paul earnestly beholding the council,.... Fastening his eyes upon them, looking wistly and intently at them, and thereby discovering a modest cheerfulness, and a becoming boldness, confidence, and intrepidity, as being not conscious of any guilt, and well assured of the goodness of his cause: said, men and brethren; see Act 22:1. I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day; not only from the time of his conversion, but throughout the whole of his life; for though, strictly speaking, there is no good conscience but what is awakened by the Spirit of God, and is unprincipled by his grace, and is purged from sin by the blood of Christ; in which sense he could only have a good conscience, since he believed in Christ; yet whereas in his state of unregeneracy, and even while he was a blasphemer, and persecutor, he did not act contrary to the dictates of his conscience, but according to them, in which his view was to the glory of God, and the honour of his law; he therefore says he lived before God, or unto God, in all good conscience, though an erroneous and mistaken one; he thought he ought to do what he did; and what he did, he did with a zeal for God though it was not according to knowledge: besides, the apostle has here respect to his outward moral conversation, which, before and after conversion, was very strict, and even blameless, at least unblemished before men; nobody could charge him with any notorious crime, though he did not live without sin in the sight of the omniscient God.
Open source ↗Perhaps when Paul was brought, as he often was (corpus cum causa - the person and the cause together), before heathen magistrates and councils, where he and his cause were slighted, because not at all understood, he thought, if he were brought before the sanhedrim at Jerusalem, he should be able to deal with them to some good purpose, and yet we do not find that he works at all upon them. Here we have, I. Paul's protestation of his own integrity. Whether the chief priest put any question to him, or the chief captain made any representation of his case to the court, we are not told; but Paul appeared here, 1. With a good courage. He was not at all put out of countenance upon his being brought before such an august assembly, for which in his youth he had conceived such a veneration; nor did he fear their calling him to an account about the letters they gave him to Damascus, to persecute the Christians there, though (for aught we know) this was the first time he had ever seem them since; but he earnestly beheld the council. When Stephen was brought before them, they thought to have faced him down, but could not, such was his holy confidence; they looked stedfastly on him, and his face was as that of an angel, Act 6:15. Now that Paul was brought before them he thought to have faced them down, but could not, such was their wicked impudence. However, now was fulfilled in him what God promised to Ezekiel (Eze 3:8, Eze 3:9): I have made thy face strong against their faces; fear them not, neither be dismayed at their looks. 2. With a good conscience, and that gave him a good courage. - Hic murus aheneus esto, Nil conscire sibi - Be this thy brazen bulwark of defence, Still to preserve thy conscious innocence. He said, "Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before…
Open source ↗23:1 In addressing the high council, Paul insisted on his personal integrity before God—he had not violated God’s law or done the things they accused him of doing.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. Παῦλος (Paûlos, G3972) — (little; but remotely from a derivative of G3973 (παύω), meaning the same); Paulus, the… ἀτενίζω (atenízō, G816) — to gaze intently συνέδριον (synédrion, G4892) — a joint session, i.e. (specially), the Jewish Sanhedrin; by analogy, a subordinate… ἔπω (épō, G2036) — to speak or say (by word or writing) ἀνήρ (anḗr, G435) — a man (properly as an individual male) ἀδελφός (adelphós, G80) — a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like G1 (Α)) ἐγώ (egṓ, G1473) πολιτεύομαι (politeúomai, G4176) — to behave as a citizen (figuratively) πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole ἀγαθός (agathós, G18) — "good" (in any sense, often as noun) συνείδησις (syneídēsis, G4893) — co-perception, i.e. moral consciousness θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very ἄχρι (áchri, G891) — (of time) until or (of place) up to
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. ἀρχιερεύς (archiereús, G749) — the high-priest (literally, of the Jews, typically, Christ); by extension a chief priest Ἀνανίας (Ananías, G367) — Ananias, the name of three Israelites ἐπιτάσσω (epitássō, G2004) — to arrange upon, i.e. order παρίστημι (parístēmi, G3936) — to stand beside, i.e. (transitively) to exhibit, proffer, (specially), recommend,… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… τύπτω (týptō, G5180) — to "thump", i.e. cudgel or pummel (properly, with a stick or bastinado), but in any case… στόμα (stóma, G4750) — the mouth (as if a gash in the face); by implication, language (and its relations);…
Open source ↗τότε (tóte, G5119) — the when, i.e. at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution) ἔπω (épō, G2036) — to speak or say (by word or writing) Παῦλος (Paûlos, G3972) — (little; but remotely from a derivative of G3973 (παύω), meaning the same); Paulus, the… πρός (prós, G4314) — a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of,… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very μέλλω (méllō, G3195) — to intend, i.e. be about to be, do, or suffer something (of persons or things, especially… τύπτω (týptō, G5180) — to "thump", i.e. cudgel or pummel (properly, with a stick or bastinado), but in any case… σέ (sé, G4571) — thee κονιάω (koniáō, G2867) — by analogy, lime); to whitewash τοῖχος (toîchos, G5109) — a wall καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… κάθημαι (káthēmai, G2521) — and (to sit; akin to the base of G1476 (ἑδραῖος)); to sit down; figuratively, to remain,… σύ (sý, G4771) — thou
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. παρίστημι (parístēmi, G3936) — to stand beside, i.e. (transitively) to exhibit, proffer, (specially), recommend,… ἔπω (épō, G2036) — to speak or say (by word or writing) λοιδορέω (loidoréō, G3058) — to reproach, i.e. vilify θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very ἀρχιερεύς (archiereús, G749) — the high-priest (literally, of the Jews, typically, Christ); by extension a chief priest
Open source ↗τέ (té, G5037) — both or also (properly, as correlation of G2532 (καί)) φημί (phēmí, G5346) — to show or make known one's thoughts, i.e. speak or say Παῦλος (Paûlos, G3972) — (little; but remotely from a derivative of G3973 (παύω), meaning the same); Paulus, the… εἴδω (eídō, G1492) — used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent G3700… οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not ἀδελφός (adelphós, G80) — a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like G1 (Α)) ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because ἐστί (estí, G2076) — he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are ἀρχιερεύς (archiereús, G749) — the high-priest (literally, of the Jews, typically, Christ); by extension a chief priest γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… γράφω (gráphō, G1125) — to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe ἐρέω (eréō, G2046) — an alternate for G2036 (ἔπω) in certain tenses; to utter, i.e. speak or say κακῶς (kakōs, G2560) — badly (physically or morally) ἄρχων (árchōn, G758) — a first (in rank or power)
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. Παῦλος (Paûlos, G3972) — (little; but remotely from a derivative of G3973 (παύω), meaning the same); Paulus, the… γινώσκω (ginṓskō, G1097) — to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as… ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because εἷς (heîs, G1520) — one μέρος (méros, G3313) — a division or share (literally or figuratively, in a wide application) ἐστί (estí, G2076) — he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are Σαδδουκαῖος (Saddoukaîos, G4523) — a Sadducæan (i.e. Tsadokian), or follower of a certain heretical Israelite ἕτερος (héteros, G2087) — (an-, the) other or different Φαρισαῖος (Pharisaîos, G5330) — a separatist, i.e. exclusively religious; a Pharisean, i.e. Jewish sectary κράζω (krázō, G2896) — properly, to "croak" (as a raven) or scream, i.e. (genitive case) to call aloud (shriek,… ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. συνέδριον (synédrion, G4892) — a joint session, i.e. (specially), the Jewish Sanhedrin; by analogy, a subordinate… ἀνήρ (anḗr, G435) — a man (properly as an individual male)
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… λαλέω (laléō, G2980) — to talk, i.e. utter words τοῦτο (toûto, G5124) — that thing γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… στάσις (stásis, G4714) — a standing (properly, the act), i.e. (by analogy) position (existence); by implication, a… Φαρισαῖος (Pharisaîos, G5330) — a separatist, i.e. exclusively religious; a Pharisean, i.e. Jewish sectary καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… Σαδδουκαῖος (Saddoukaîos, G4523) — a Sadducæan (i.e. Tsadokian), or follower of a certain heretical Israelite πλῆθος (plēthos, G4128) — a fulness, i.e. a large number, throng, populace σχίζω (schízō, G4977) — to split or sever (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… μέν (mén, G3303) — properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a… Σαδδουκαῖος (Saddoukaîos, G4523) — a Sadducæan (i.e. Tsadokian), or follower of a certain heretical Israelite λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… εἶναι (eînai, G1511) — to exist μή (mḗ, G3361) — (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer… ἀνάστασις (anástasis, G386) — a standing up again, i.e. (literally) a resurrection from death (individual, genitive… μηδέ (mēdé, G3366) — but not, not even; in a continued negation, nor ἄγγελος (ángelos, G32) — compare G34 (ἀγέλη)) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by… μήτε (mḗte, G3383) — not too, i.e. (in continued negation) neither or nor; also, not even πνεῦμα (pneûma, G4151) — a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit,… δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. Φαρισαῖος (Pharisaîos, G5330) — a separatist, i.e. exclusively religious; a Pharisean, i.e. Jewish sectary ὁμολογέω (homologéō, G3670) — to assent, i.e. covenant, acknowledge
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… μέγας (mégas, G3173) — big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application) κραυγή (kraugḗ, G2906) — an outcry (in notification, tumult or grief) καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… γραμματεύς (grammateús, G1122) Φαρισαῖος (Pharisaîos, G5330) — a separatist, i.e. exclusively religious; a Pharisean, i.e. Jewish sectary μέρος (méros, G3313) — a division or share (literally or figuratively, in a wide application) ἀνίστημι (anístēmi, G450) — to stand up (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive) διαμάχομαι (diamáchomai, G1264) — to fight fiercely (in altercation) λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… εὑρίσκω (heurískō, G2147) — to find (literally or figuratively) οὐδείς (oudeís, G3762) — not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e. none, nobody, nothing κακός (kakós, G2556) — worthless (intrinsically, such; whereas G4190 (πονηρός) properly refers to effects), i.e.…
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… πολύς (polýs, G4183) — (singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial,… στάσις (stásis, G4714) — a standing (properly, the act), i.e. (by analogy) position (existence); by implication, a… χιλίαρχος (chilíarchos, G5506) — the commander of a thousand soldiers ("chiliarch"; i.e. colonel εὐλαβέομαι (eulabéomai, G2125) — to be circumspect, i.e. (by implication) to be apprehensive; religiously, to reverence μή (mḗ, G3361) — (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer… Παῦλος (Paûlos, G3972) — (little; but remotely from a derivative of G3973 (παύω), meaning the same); Paulus, the… διασπάω (diaspáō, G1288) — to draw apart, i.e. sever or dismember ὑπό (hypó, G5259) — under, i.e. (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… κελεύω (keleúō, G2753) — "hail"; to incite by word, i.e. order στράτευμα (stráteuma, G4753) — an armament, i.e. (by implication) a body of troops (more or less extensive or systematic) καταβαίνω (katabaínō, G2597) — to descend (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. νύξ (nýx, G3571) — "night" (literally or figuratively) ἐπιοῦσα (epioûsa, G1966) — supervening, i.e. (G2250 (ἡμέρα) or G3571 (νύξ) being expressed or implied) the ensuing… κύριος (kýrios, G2962) — supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful… ἐφίστημι (ephístēmi, G2186) — to stand upon, i.e. be present (in various applications, friendly or otherwise, usually… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ἔπω (épō, G2036) — to speak or say (by word or writing) θαρσέω (tharséō, G2293) — to have courage Παῦλος (Paûlos, G3972) — (little; but remotely from a derivative of G3973 (παύω), meaning the same); Paulus, the… γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… ὡς (hōs, G5613) — which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows) διαμαρτύρομαι (diamartýromai, G1263) — to attest or protest earnestly, or (by implication) hortatively περί (perí, G4012) — properly, through (all over), i.e. around; figuratively with respect to; used in various… ἐμοῦ (emoû, G1700) — of me
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… ἡμέρα (hēméra, G2250) — day, i.e. (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but… τὶς (tìs, G5100) — some or any person or object Ἰουδαῖος (Ioudaîos, G2453) — Judæan, i.e. belonging to Jehudah ποιέω (poiéō, G4160) — to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct) συστροφή (systrophḗ, G4963) — a twisting together, i.e. (figuratively) a secret coalition, riotous crowd ἀναθεματίζω (anathematízō, G332) — to declare or vow under penalty of execration ἑαυτοῦ (heautoû, G1438) — him- (her-, it-, them-, also (in conjunction with the personal pronoun of the other… λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… φάγω (phágō, G5315) — to eat (literally or figuratively) μήτε (mḗte, G3383) — not too, i.e. (in continued negation) neither or nor; also, not even πίνω (pínō, G4095) — to imbibe (literally or figuratively) ἕως (héōs, G2193) — a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place)
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. ἦν (ēn, G2258) — I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were) πλείων (pleíōn, G4119) — more in quantity, number, or quality; also (in plural) the major portion τεσσαράκοντα (tessarákonta, G5062) — forty ὁ (ho, G3588) — the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom) ποιέω (poiéō, G4160) — to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct) ταύτῃ (taútēi, G5026) — (towards or of) this συνωμοσία (synōmosía, G4945) — a swearing together, i.e. (by implication) a plot
Open source ↗ὅστις (hóstis, G3748) — which some, i.e. any that; also (definite) which same προσέρχομαι (prosérchomai, G4334) — to approach, i.e. (literally) come near, visit, or (figuratively) worship, assent to ἀρχιερεύς (archiereús, G749) — the high-priest (literally, of the Jews, typically, Christ); by extension a chief priest καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… πρεσβύτερος (presbýteros, G4245) — older; as noun, a senior; specially, an Israelite Sanhedrist (also figuratively, member… ἔπω (épō, G2036) — to speak or say (by word or writing) ἀναθεματίζω (anathematízō, G332) — to declare or vow under penalty of execration ἑαυτοῦ (heautoû, G1438) — him- (her-, it-, them-, also (in conjunction with the personal pronoun of the other… ἀνάθεμα (anáthema, G331) — a (religious) ban or (concretely) excommunicated (thing or person) γεύομαι (geúomai, G1089) — to taste; by implication, to eat; figuratively, to experience (good or ill) μηδείς (mēdeís, G3367) — not even one (man, woman, thing) ἕως (héōs, G2193) — a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place) ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that ἀποκτείνω (apokteínō, G615) — to kill outright; figuratively, to destroy
Open source ↗Cross-references
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In this hope, I strive always to maintain a clear conscience before God and man.
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.
And 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.
Pray for us; we are convinced that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way.
My conscience is clear, but that does not vindicate me. It is the Lord who judges me.
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.
Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and 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.”
The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
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.
All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.