Bible Strands
Philippians 3:6
as to zeal, persecuting the church; as to righteousness in the law, faultless.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Philippian believers, cataloging his former Jewish credentials immediately after detailing his lineage in Philippians 3:5. He places this assessment directly before his declaration in Philippians 3:7 that he now counts all such former gains as loss for Christ.
The words — The Greek word ζῆλος (zēlos) carries the literal sense of "zeal" or "fervent pursuit." The particple διώκων (diōkōn) translates literally to "persecuting," indicating active, ongoing hostility.
The thread — This account of hostile pursuit aligns with the historical record in Acts 8:3 and Acts 26:9, where Paul's pre-conversion campaign against the early church is documented. Paul later reframes this same period in Galatians 1:13 as his former way of life within Judaism.
Why it lands — The text establishes that Paul's past religious perfection and violent opposition to the church were genuine but ultimately worthless. It requires the reader to evaluate their own spiritual credentials against the singular standard of knowing Christ.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
Cross-references
- Galatians 1:13 For you have heard of my former way of life in Judaism, how severely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it.
- Acts 8:3 But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.
- Acts 26:9 So then, I too was convinced that I ought to do all I could to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
- Acts 22:3 “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 was just as zealous for God as any of you are today.
- Matthew 5:20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
- Acts 26:5 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.
- Romans 9:31 but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it.
- 2 Kings 10:16 saying, “Come with me and see my zeal for the LORD!” So he had him ride in his chariot.
- Matthew 23:25 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.
- Mark 10:20 “Teacher,” he replied, “all these I have kept from my youth.”