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.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Παῦλος
Paul
G3972
Παῦλος
Paul
Strong's:
G3972
Word #:
4 of 20
(little; but remotely from a derivative of g3973, meaning the same); paulus, the name of a roman and of an apostle
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
συνεδρίῳ
the council
G4892
συνεδρίῳ
the council
Strong's:
G4892
Word #:
6 of 20
a joint session, i.e., (specially), the jewish sanhedrin; by analogy, a subordinate tribunal
ἀδελφοί
and brethren
G80
ἀδελφοί
and brethren
Strong's:
G80
Word #:
9 of 20
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεῷ
before God
G2316
θεῷ
before God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
16 of 20
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ταύτης
G3778
ταύτης
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
18 of 20
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
Cross References
Acts 24:16And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.2 Timothy 1:3I 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;2 Corinthians 1:12For 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.Hebrews 13:18Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.1 Corinthians 4:4For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.Acts 22:5As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished.Acts 23:6But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.Proverbs 28:1The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.2 Corinthians 4:2But 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.
Historical Context
Paul stood before the Sanhedrin, the 71-member Jewish ruling council that had condemned Jesus. His defense speech began with establishing his own credentials as a devout Jew who lived conscientiously.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you distinguish between following your conscience sincerely and following God's truth accurately?
- What does Paul's example teach about maintaining integrity even when your understanding of truth changes?
Analysis & Commentary
Paul's claim to have lived 'in all good conscience before God' doesn't mean sinless perfection but rather integrity in following known truth. Even as persecutor of Christians, Paul acted according to his understanding of God's will (1 Timothy 1:13). This demonstrates that conscience must be informed by Scripture and Spirit, as sincerity alone doesn't guarantee correctness.