Acts 24:16

24:10-21 Paul gives a just account of himself, which clears him from crime, and likewise shows the true reason of the violence against him. Let us never be driven from any good way by its having an ill name. It is very comfortable, in worshipping God, to look to him as the God of our fathers, and to set up no other rule of faith or practice but the Scriptures. This shows there will be a resurrection to a final judgment. Prophets and their doctrines were to be tried by their fruits. Paul's aim was to have a conscience void of offence. His care and endeavour was to abstain from many things, and to abound in the exercises of religion at all times; both towards God. and towards man. If blamed for being more earnest in the things of God than our neighbours, what is our reply? Do we shrink from the accusation? How many in the world would rather be accused of any weakness, nay, even of wickedness, than of an earnest, fervent feeling of love to the Lord Jesus Christ, and of devotedness to his service! Can such think that He will confess them when he comes in his glory, and before the angels of God? If there is any sight pleasing to the God of our salvation, and a sight at which the angels rejoice, it is, to behold a devoted follower of the Lord, here upon earth, acknowledging that he is guilty, if it be a crime, of loving the Lord who died for him, with all his heart, and soul, and mind, and strength.

Exercise myself (ἀσκῶ) Originally, to work raw material, to form: hence, to practise, exercise, discipline; and so, in ecclesiastical language, to mortify the body. Of the kindred adjective ἀσκητικός our word ascetic is a transcript. Void of offence (ἀπτόσκοπον) Lit., without stumbling; unshaken. The word is used thus in a passive sense here, as in Philippians 1:10. In 1 Corinthians 10:32, it occurs in the active sense of giving offence to others, or causing them to stumble.

And herein; or at this time, and in this business; or for this reason, to wit, because I believe the resurrection. I exercise myself; I am altogether taken up with it; this is my one thing necessary, Luke 10:42 . To have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men; that I may not offend God or man in any thing; but that I may be without blame at the judgment seat of God or man. They only are blessed and happy, whose belief concerning another world makes them endeavour after holiness in this world.

Acts 24:16 . Ἐν τούτῳ , herein ) whilst I have this hope.— αὐτὸς , I myself ) whatever others do.— ἀσκῶ , I exercise myself, I aim ) This verb forms an allegory, with the word αἴρεσις , sect . Both words occur in the history of philosophical sects.— πρὸς τὸν Θεὸν καὶ τοὺς ἀνθρώπους , toward God and men ) What follows accord with this, viz. alms and offerings .

16. And herein—On this account, accordingly; that is, looking forward to that awful day (compare 2Co 5:10). I exercise myself—The "I" here is emphatic; "Whatever they do, this is my study." to have always a conscience void of offence, &c.—See Ac 23:1; 2Co 1:12; 2:17, &c.; that is, "These are the great principles of my life and conduct—how different from turbulence and sectarianism!"

Verse 16. - Herein... also for and hereby , A.V. and T.R.; to have a conscience ... always for to have always , etc., A.V.; and men for and toward men , A.V. (For the sentiment, comp. Acts 23:1 .) Herein ( ἐν τόυτῳ ); i.e. on this account , under these circumstances supplying the ground and cause of my action (comp. John 16:30 ). So, too, Matthew 6:7 , Ἐν τῇ πολυλογίᾳ αὐτῶν means "On account of their much speaking." I exercise myself ; ἀσκῶ , here only in the New Testament, but frequent in medical writers for "to practice" the medical art. Acts 24:16

16 . And herein do I exercise myself ] “Herein” i.e. in the worship, faith and hope spoken of in the two last verses. While holding this belief, and because I hold it, I try to keep my conscience clear. “I exercise myself” that I may, by constant training and striving, at length get near to what I aim after. to have always a conscience void of offence , &c.] The Rev. Ver. , to preserve the Greek order, puts “alway” at the end of the verse. A man who strove for such an object was neither likely to be a profaner of the Temple, nor a pestilent mover of sedition. His religion was worked into his life.

Acts 24:16 . Ἐν τούτῳ ] on this account , as in John 16:30 . It refers to the whole contents of the confession just expressed in Acts 24:14-15 , as that on which the moral striving, which Paul constantly ( διαπαντ .) has, has its causal basis. καὶ αὐτός ] et ipse , like other true confessors of this faith and this hope. ἀσκῶ ] I exercise myself , i.e. in eo laboro, studeo (Stallb. ad Plat. Rep . p. 389 C); often also in classical writers with the infinitive. See Sturz, Lex. Xen . I. p. 439. πρὸς τὸν Θεὸν κ . τ . λ .] ethical reference ( Romans 5:1 ). The good conscience ( Acts 23:1 ) is conceived as having suffered no offence ( ἀπρόσκ ., here passive , comp. on Php 1:10 ), i.e. as unshaken , preserved in its unimpaired equilibrium.

(16) And herein do I exercise myself . . . —The “herein” seems equivalent to “in this belief.” Because he held that doctrine of a resurrection as a stern and solemn reality, the one law of his life was to keep his conscience clear from wilful sin. (See Note on Acts 23:1 .) The words must have been almost as bitter to Felix as to Ananias; but he has, at all events, the decency to listen in silence.

And herein - In this, or for this purpose. Do I exercise myself - ἀσκῶ askō. I accustom or employ myself; I make it my constant aim. Paul often appeals to his conscientiousness as the leading habit of his life. Even before his conversion he endeavored to act according to the dictates of conscience. See Acts 26:9; compare Philippians 3:5-6. To have always a conscience ... - To do what is right, so that my conscience shall never reproach me. Void of offence - ἀπρόσκοπον aproskopon. That which is inoffensive, or which does not cause one to stumble or fall. He means that he endeavored to keep his conscience so enlightened and pure in regard to duty, and that he acted according to its dictates in such a way that his conduct should not be displeasing to God or injurious to man. To have such a conscience implies two things: (1) That it be enlightened or properly informed in regard to truth and duty; and, (2) That what is made known to be right should be honestly and faithfully performed. Without these two things no man can have a conscience that will be inoffensive and harmless. Toward God - In an honest endearour to discharge the duties of public and private worship, and to do constantly what he requires believing all that he has spoken; doing all that he requires; and offering to him the service which he approves.