Phil. 3:5-6 - Paul’s Personal

5 circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee;
6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless.

You Want Credentials? I Have ‘Em!

Paul expands this theme more fully in the letter to the Galatians 1:13-2:21.

***
Vs. 5 - “Circumcised... Israel... Benjamin... Hebrew... Pharisee.” In Paul’s mind, there are no better credentials than those listed here:

• He is from the same tribe as king David and Jesus - Benjamin.
• He was born in Bethlehem, just as was king David and Jesus (1 Sam. 17:12; Matt. 2:1).
• He is a descendant of Jacob (a.k.a. “Israel” ) (Gen. 32:28). The twelve tribes rescued from Egypt were descendants of Israel.
• He is a descendant of Abraham - the ancestor of the promise (Gen. 14:13).
• And he was a Pharisee - someone who closely associates himself with strict observance of the Law in order to avoid influences of Greeks or other pagans. (“Pharisee” - means, at least in part, “separated”.)
• His “badge of honor” - circumcised, as commanded by the Lord. (See: Gen. 17:10-14; Exo. 12:48; Lev. 12:3; John 7:22, 23) The Jews were very proud of being circumcised, even to the point of ‘looking down’ on those who did not observe or practice this ritual. (Judg. 14:3, 1 Sam. 14:6; Isa. 52:1.) Conquering nations tried to prevent them from observing it. Guess what, the Jews refused to submit!

Vs. 6 -“as to zeal” - Paul was not content to rest on his ancestry (Take that “23-and-me”! In your face!). This man was driven to live his life according to his beliefs. One of our pastors mentioned in a sermon, “How you conduct your life shows what you believe, not just what you say you believe.” Paul believed the church of Jesus Christ was blaspheming against the Holy God of Israel. This could not stand! (See: Acts 7:59-60; 8:3; 9:1-2; 22:4,5; 26:9-11) He was not content just to denounce these blasphemers. He went after them! (See: Gal. 1:13, 14)

“As to righteousness... in the Law” - See Phil. 3:5, Paul was a Pharisee, a strict follower and keeper of the Mosaic Law. If anyone - in Judah or the rest of the known world - anyone, could claim to have attained righteousness through the Law, it would be Paul. Blameless! And proud of it.

***