Philippians 3 - Paul's Credentials

Philippians 3:4b-6 - "If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: ⁵circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; ⁶as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless."

"If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more:" - At first glance, it looks like Paul is getting ready to be a bit prideful and arrogant, but that is not the case at all. Paul had some impressive credentials, which we're getting ready to explore, but the fact is, they still fell short of God's grace. You can have the most impressive accolades in the world, but it's not about you - it's about Him.

"circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel," - We talked a little about this in yesterday's post. Circumcision was a way that the Israelites showed their devotion to God. All of the male children of Israel were to be circumcised on the eight day after they had been born. (If you still don't know what circumcision is, look it up.)

"of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews;" - Paul descended from the line of Benjamin, one of the twelve sons of Jacob (Israel). This line had also produced some noteworthy people in Israel's history, most notably, King Saul. (1st Samuel 10:20-24) It was of very high esteem to belong to the tribe of Benjamin in Jewish culture. The two tribes of Benjamin and Judah were the only two tribes to return to Israel after the exile. (Ezra 4:1)

"in regard to the law, a Pharisee;" - Paul was a member of the Pharisees, a religious group at the time. He was tutored under Gamaliel, who was a very respected instructor of the day. Jewish readers in Philippi would have been extremely impressed by this particular credential.

^"as for zeal, persecuting the church;" - Let's not forget that beofre Jesus got ahold of Paul, his name was Saul and he thought he was doing the will of God by arresting members of the 'church' and bringing them before the authorities. He was present at the stoning of Stephen in Acts 7, and the disciples were scared to death of him before his conversion.

"as for legalistic righteousness, faultless." - Paul kept the law. Period. He was faultless in the eyes of the law. That doesn't mean that Paul didn't sin, but he had kept the law to the letter.

Why does Paul list all of these accolades? We'll find out tomorrow.