Acts 23 2

Acts 23:2 kjv

And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth.

Acts 23:2 nkjv

And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth.

Acts 23:2 niv

At this the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth.

Acts 23:2 esv

And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth.

Acts 23:2 nlt

Instantly Ananias the high priest commanded those close to Paul to slap him on the mouth.

Acts 23 verses

Acts 23 2 Meaning

Paul, directly addressing the council, declares himself to have lived with a clear conscience before God. This assertion emphasizes his integrity and unwavering devotion to his faith and his understanding of God's will, even amidst accusations and the turbulent political and religious climate.

Acts 23 2 Context

Paul has just been struck down for his statement, as Ananias the high priest commanded that he be struck on the mouth. This violent interruption, orchestrated by the religious leadership, reveals the animosity and injustice Paul is facing. In response, Paul's immediate utterance is not an outburst of anger but a firm declaration of his righteous living before God and his acknowledgment of the established authority, even this flawed leader. This context sets the stage for Paul to explain his actions and beliefs before the Sanhedrin, appealing to their shared understanding of the Law and the resurrection.

Acts 23 2 Word analysis

• "And" (καὶ - kai): A common conjunction, linking Paul's declaration to the preceding events or to his continued addressing of the council.
• "Paul" (Παῦλος - Paulos): The Apostle, central figure.
• "Looking" (ἀτενίσας - atēnisas): Literally "stretching towards" or "fixing his gaze." It signifies an intense, deliberate, and unwavering look. This implies Paul wasn't intimidated but composed and ready to speak.
• "to" (πρὸς - pros): Indicates direction and proximity, pointing towards the council.
• "the" (τὸ - to): Definite article.
• "Council" (συνέδριον - synedrion): Refers to the Sanhedrin, the supreme Jewish religious and judicial body, consisting of chief priests, elders, and scribes.
• "and" (καὶ - kai): Continues the sentence.
• "said" (εἶπεν - eipen): Aorist tense of λέγω (legō), a simple statement of speaking.
• "Brothers," (Ἄνδρες ἀδελφοί - Andres adelphoi): "Men, brothers." A respectful and common Jewish form of address, acknowledging them as fellow Israelites, despite their opposition. This term "adelphoi" (brothers) carries spiritual connotation in Christian context but here also highlights the shared heritage.
• "I have lived" (πεπολίτευμαι - pepoliteumai): Perfect passive indicative of πολιτεύω (politeuō). This verb refers to living as a citizen, conducting oneself in public life, and managing one's affairs according to civic and moral principles. The perfect tense emphasizes a state of being that began in the past and continues into the present, testifying to a life of sustained conduct. It implies living according to a specific way of life, in this case, a godly one.
• "before" (ἐνώπιον - enōpion): "In the presence of" or "before the face of." Indicates accountability.
• "God" (τοῦ θεοῦ - tou theou): The ultimate judge.
• "all" (πάντα - panta): Emphasizes completeness and totality.
• "good" (ἀγαθῇ - agathē): Moral goodness, moral excellence.
• "conscience" (συνειδήσει - syneidēsei): From syn (with) and eido (to know). It signifies awareness of one's own thoughts and actions, a moral sense of right and wrong, an inner witness. Paul states his conscience was clear or good in God's sight. This speaks to an unhindered inner testimony of his life's actions being aligned with his knowledge of God's will.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "My Brothers, I have lived before God with all good conscience": This entire phrase is Paul's defense. The deliberate use of "brothers" aims to establish a common ground before challenging them with his testimony. "All good conscience" highlights his unwavering integrity and his conviction that his life's actions, in their entirety, were pleasing to God, functioning as a witness of his devotion and understanding.

Acts 23 2 Bonus section

The word "pepoliteumai" carries a strong sense of citizenship and public conduct. Paul, even while a prisoner, claims a higher citizenship – that of the Kingdom of God. His life was conducted in obedience to the King of Kings. The phrase "all good conscience" doesn't mean he never sinned, as Romans 3:23 ("for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God") assures us. Rather, it signifies that upon examining his life, he found no wilful, persistent unrepented sin that stood condemned in his conscience before God, particularly concerning his current ministry and adherence to the faith he now proclaimed. He was zealous for God, and his conscience bore witness to that, despite his former actions when he was zealous according to his own understanding of righteousness.

Acts 23 2 Commentary

Paul’s declaration is a profound statement of integrity, not a boast. He appeals to his entire life's conduct, examined by the highest possible standard—God Himself. Even facing unjust accusation and physical abuse, he asserts an unblemished record before the divine court. This points to a life lived in accordance with God's revealed will, acknowledging accountability to God above all human authorities, even those representing the highest earthly jurisdiction in Judaism at that time. His ability to make such a claim stems from his deep faith and the transforming power of Christ in his life.