Philippians 3:6

zeal "of God, but not according to true spiritual knowledge (epignôsis)," Romans 10:2. Cp. Acts 26:9-11. He implies here that this "zeal" was perfectly sincere, though sinfully conditioned by a moral blindness. See in this connexion Acts 23:1; 2 Timothy 1:3.

persecuting the church Cp. 1 Corinthians 15:9; Galatians 1:13; Galatians 1:23; 1 Timothy 1:13.

the righteousness which is in the law Lit., again, "in law"; see fifth note on Philippians 3:5. The reference is to completeness of observance and privilege, from the point of view of the Pharisaic legalist. The most rigid inquisitor in this direction could not have found fault with Paul's title. See further on Philippians 3:3. "In (the) law":included within its terms.

blameless Better, with R.V., found blameless, a good paraphrase of the Greek, which is literally, "having become blameless."

His title, or temptation, to "confidence in the flesh" was thus compounded of a natal right to the seal of the covenant; hereditary and educated loyalty to the purest Jewish life and practice; personal devotion to the strictest Jewish religionism; the utmost practical energy in its defence; the most minute attention to its rules. Of its kind, the position was perfect.