Acts 24:14
But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:
Original Language Analysis
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
5 of 26
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
κατὰ
after
G2596
κατὰ
after
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
6 of 26
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
τοῖς
which
G3588
τοῖς
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὁδὸν
the way
G3598
ὁδὸν
the way
Strong's:
G3598
Word #:
8 of 26
a road; by implication, a progress (the route, act or distance); figuratively, a mode or means
ἣν
which
G3739
ἣν
which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
9 of 26
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
λέγουσιν
they call
G3004
λέγουσιν
they call
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
10 of 26
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
αἵρεσιν
heresy
G139
αἵρεσιν
heresy
Strong's:
G139
Word #:
11 of 26
properly, a choice, i.e., (specially) a party or (abstractly) disunion
λατρεύω
worship I
G3000
λατρεύω
worship I
Strong's:
G3000
Word #:
13 of 26
to minister (to god), i.e., render religious homage
τοῖς
which
G3588
τοῖς
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεῷ
the God
G2316
θεῷ
the God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
16 of 26
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
πιστεύων
believing
G4100
πιστεύων
believing
Strong's:
G4100
Word #:
17 of 26
to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to ch
τοῖς
which
G3588
τοῖς
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κατὰ
after
G2596
κατὰ
after
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
20 of 26
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
τοῖς
which
G3588
τοῖς
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
21 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
νόμον
the law
G3551
νόμον
the law
Strong's:
G3551
Word #:
22 of 26
law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
23 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τοῖς
which
G3588
τοῖς
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
24 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Acts 9:2And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.Romans 3:21But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;Acts 28:23And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.Acts 3:13The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go.Acts 24:5For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:Acts 26:22Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:Acts 26:27King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.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;
Historical Context
Paul's appeal to 'the law and the prophets' invoked the Hebrew Scriptures' authority, showing Christianity's roots in God's progressive revelation. This defense would resonate with Felix's knowledge of Jewish traditions.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you help others see that Christianity fulfills rather than contradicts God's prior revelation?
- What does this teach about confidently claiming your faith's connection to God's historical work?
Analysis & Commentary
Paul's confession - 'after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers' - brilliantly reframes the issue. What they call 'heresy' (Greek 'hairesis,' sect), Paul identifies as true worship of Israel's God. His claim to believe 'all things which are written in the law and in the prophets' positions Christianity as Judaism's fulfillment, not its contradiction.