Gal 1:13-14, Phili 3:6 | JFB | STEP | 13. heard —even before I came among you. conversation —"my former way of life." Jews' religion —The term, " Hebrew, " expresses the language; "Jew," the nationality, as distinguished from the Gentiles; "Israelite," the highest title, the religious privileges, as a member of the theocracy. the church —Here singular, marking its unity, though constituted of many particular churches, under the one Head, Christ. of God —added to mark the greatness of his sinful alienation from God ( ). wasted —laid it waste: the opposite of "building it up."

Galatians 1:13-14

13. heard—even before I came among you.

conversation—"my former way of life."

Jews' religion—The term, "Hebrew," expresses the language; "Jew," the nationality, as distinguished from the Gentiles; "Israelite," the highest title, the religious privileges, as a member of the theocracy.

the church—Here singular, marking its unity, though constituted of many particular churches, under the one Head, Christ.

of God—added to mark the greatness of his sinful alienation from God (1Co 15:19).

wasted—laid it waste: the opposite of "building it up."

14. profited—Greek, "I was becoming a proficient"; "I made progress."

above—beyond.

my equals—Greek, "Of mine own age, among my countrymen."

traditions of my fathers—namely, those of the Pharisees, Paul being "a Pharisee, and son of a Pharisee" (Ac 23:6; 26:5). "MY fathers," shows that it is not to be understood generally of the traditions of the nation.

Philippians 3:6

6. Concerning—Translate as before and after, "As touching Zeal" (compare Ac 22:3; 26:9).

blameless—Greek, "having become blameless" as to ceremonial righteousness: having attained in the eyes of man blameless legal perfection. As to the holiness before God, which is the inner and truest spirit of the law, and which flows from "the righteousness of God by faith," he on the contrary declares (Php 3:12-14) that he has not attained perfection.