Acts 24:15
And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
Acts 24:15
Paul proclaims belief in “a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust.” In the first century, competing worldviews—Greco-Roman philosophy, Pharisaic Judaism, and the emerging Christian movement—debated the afterlife and divine judgment. The phrase anchors Christian hope in a future bodily resurrection, a concept supported by Jewish expectation (Daniel 12:2; 1 Enoch in the broader milieu) and reinterpreted through Jesus’ own resurrection. By appealing to this shared Jewish expectation, Paul aligns with a broad audience that recognized divine justice and reward beyond death. The distinction between “the just and the unjust” anticipates universal accountability: God’s justice extends to all people, not just insiders. This doctrine also undergirds Christian ethics; if death is not the ultimate end, how should one live in the present? The context—an accusation and a political hearing before Felix—means Paul grounds his case in a hope that transcends political power and religious factions.
Resurrection is central to Christian identity: Jesus’ resurrection validates the promise that God will restore and judge. Paul’s reference to “both the just and the unjust” emphasizes the impartiality of God’s judgment and the universality of the gospel. Theologically, this frames salvation not as a purely spiritual experience but as a future hope with tangible implications: future bodily life, moral accountability, and cosmic restoration. It also connects to the justice motif that runs through Luke-Acts, where God’s kingdom reverses human power and brings true justice. The verse invites believers to live in light of this eschatological truth, cultivating patience, courage, and integrity as they await the consummation of God’s redemptive work.
Today, this verse offers both consolation and challenge:
- Consolation: Even when life seems unfair, the future resurrection affirms that God will set all things right.
- Challenge: Our daily choices reflect hope in the resurrection. How you handle workplace conflicts, suffering, or persecution reveals what you believe about God’s future justice.
Practical steps:
- Practice reverent integrity: live with honesty because truth will ultimately be vindicated.
- Invest in eternal things: cultivate generosity, character, and faithfulness rather than chasing temporary gains.
- Encourage others with the hope of resurrection, especially those facing hardship, by sharing authentic stories of God’s faithfulness.
Cross-References: 1 Corinthians 15:20-23; Philippians 3:20-21; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Acts 17:31; Romans 6:5
Cross-References: John 5:28-29; Romans 6:23; Daniel 12:2; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17