Bible Study - Acts 24

S - So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man.
Acts 24:16 ESV

O - Commentary:
Paul always sought to keep his conscience clear (cf. 23:1). "Clear" translates aproskopon (lit., "not causing to stumble, or not offending"), used only two other times in the New Testament, both by Paul (1 Cor. 10:32; Phil. 1:10).

Stanley D. Toussaint, "Acts," in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 421.

A - Paul gives us a principle worth chasing: don't be needlessly offensive. Don't cause others to stumble. Minister in love, every time. That's not the same as being a pushover or a people-pleaser. The gospel will offend some people — not because we were harsh, but because it confronts how they're living. Our job isn't to soften truth. Our job is to carry it in love and let God's Word do the rest.

R - Heavenly Father, You are the Truth. Thank You for being the plumb line for our lives. Empower us today to carry Your love with grace, strength, and compassion. Like Paul, we choose to keep a clear conscience in how we love You and love others.