Galatians 1:14
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I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
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" (Act 23:6; Act 26:5). "MY fathers," shows that it is not to be understood generally of the traditions of the nation.
Open source ↗In this chapter, after the preface or introduction (Gal 1:1-5), the apostle severely reproves these churches for their defection from the faith (Gal 1:6-9), and then proves his own apostleship, which his enemies had brought them to question, I. From his end and design in preaching the gospel (Gal 1:10). II. From his having received it by immediate revelation (Gal 1:11, Gal 1:12). For the proof of which he acquaints them, 1. What his former conversation was (Gal 1:13, Gal 1:14). 2. How he was converted, and called to the apostleship (Gal 1:15, Gal 1:16). 3. How he behaved himself afterwards (Gal 1:16 to the end).
Open source ↗1:14 zeal for the traditions of my ancestors: Cp. Mark 7:6-13.
Open source ↗Cross-references
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See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ.
They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that I lived as a Pharisee, adhering to the strictest sect of our religion.
“I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but raised in this city. I was educated at the feet of Gamaliel in strict conformity to the law of our fathers. I am just as zealous for God as any of you here today.
he need not honor his father or mother with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition.
Instead, they have followed the stubbornness of their hearts and gone after the Baals, as their fathers taught them.”
Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with an inexpressible and glorious joy,
So then, I too was convinced that I ought to do all I could to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
I will expose your righteousness and your works, and they will not profit you.
Therefore the Lord said: “These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is but rules taught by men.
If they ask you, ‘Where shall we go?’ you are to tell them that this is what the LORD says: ‘Those destined for death, to death; those destined for the sword, to the sword; those destined for famine, to famine; and those destined for captivity, to captivity.’