So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul isn't just saying he tries to be a good person; he's linking his effort to live blamelessly directly to his hope in the resurrection. This isn't a general ethical principle but a specific consequence of believing in a future judgment and resurrection, motivating him to live rightly now.
So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is defending himself before Governor Felix against accusations from Jewish leaders. He has just explained that his faith is rooted in the Law and the Prophets and that he believes in the resurrection of the dead, just as they claim to. This declaration of his core beliefs leads him to state his personal commitment to living a life that is blameless before both God and people.
Why does Paul, facing a hostile crowd and an uncertain future, bring up the resurrection?
Paul links his commitment to a clear conscience directly to his belief in the resurrection.
Paul doesn't just have a clear conscience; he actively works at it. What does that 'exercise' involve?
The Greek word Paul uses, 'askō' (exercise), suggests a deliberate, disciplined effort, much like an athlete trains.
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Understand the original words
syneidēsis · Greek Noun
The inner moral faculty that bears witness to one's actions, which, when 'clear' or 'good,' reflects a heart at peace with God through faith and obedient living.
Paul's declaration of living with a clear conscience is rooted in his unwavering belief in the resurrection, a hope that motivated his ethical conduct toward both God and humanity amidst intense persecution.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Ministry, Death, and Resurrection
The foundational events of Christianity occur, including the resurrection of Jesus, which becomes a central tenet of the early church.
c. AD 33-60
Early Spread of Christianity
The Apostle Paul, initially a persecutor, converts and becomes a key missionary, spreading the Christian message throughout the Roman Empire.
c. AD 50-60
Paul's Journeys and Imprisonments
Paul undertakes extensive missionary journeys, facing opposition and eventual arrest in Jerusalem, leading to his imprisonment.
c. AD 60
Paul's Appeal to Caesar
After years of imprisonment and facing various trials, Paul appeals to the Roman emperor, a right available to Roman citizens.
c. AD 60— this verse
Trial Before Felix
Paul stands trial before the Roman governor Felix in Caesarea, where he defends his faith and conduct against accusations from Jewish leaders.
Paul explicitly states, 'For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in your case, with holiness and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God.' This echoes his commitment to a clear conscience.
1 Timothy 1:5This verse speaks of the goal of the commandment being love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith, directly correlating with Paul's striving for a conscience void of offense.
Hebrews 13:18The author encourages believers to 'Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things,' highlighting the ongoing effort and prayer required to maintain such a conscience.
1 Peter 3:16Peter advises believers to 'keep a good conscience, so that, when they speak evil of you, as evildoers, they may be put to shame who falsely accuse your good conduct when united with Christ,' showing the defensive strength of a clear conscience.
Romans 14:23Paul warns that 'whoever doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever does not proceed from faith is sin,' reinforcing the idea that actions must align with one's convictions to avoid offending conscience.
ellicottActs 24:16: "And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men."
(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 t…
gillActs 24:16: "And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men."
And herein do I exercise myself,.... Or because of this; on account of this doctrine of the resurrection of the dead, which is a doctrine according to godliness, and promotes and engages to a holy life and conversation, as the contrary tends to encourage a dissolute and sinful manner of living; see 1 Corinthians 15:32 The apostle studied, and laboured, and bent himself, and emp…
Paul isn't just saying he tries to be a good person; he's linking his effort to live blamelessly directly to his hope in the resurrection. This isn't a general ethical principle but a specific consequence of believing in a future judgment and resurrection, motivating him to live rightly now.
Paul is defending himself before Governor Felix against accusations from Jewish leaders. He has just explained that his faith is rooted in the Law and the Prophets and that he believes in the resurrection of the dead, just as they claim to. This declaration of his core beliefs leads him to state his personal commitment to living a life that is blameless before both God and people.
Paul is defending himself before Governor Felix against accusations from Jewish leaders. He has just explained that his faith is rooted in the Law and the Prophets and that he believes in the resurrection of the dead, just as they claim to. This declaration of his core beliefs leads him to state his personal commitment to living a life that is blameless before both God and people.
"So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man." — Paul isn't just saying he tries to be a good person; he's linking his effort to live blamelessly directly to his hope in the resurrection. This isn't a general ethical principle but a specific cons…
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Last reviewed October 2026