Keraia
Galatians 1

Galatians 1:14

Paul Preaches the Gospel · Galatians 1:10–24
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Translations

Modern
I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers.
Traditional
And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.
Literal
And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many contemporaries among my kindred, being more abundantly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.
Latin
…et proficiebam in Judaismo supra multos coætaneos meos in genere meo, abundantius æmulator existens paternarum mearum traditionum.

Original

Greek
English
I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers.

Notes

Galatians 1:14

zealous for the traditions of my fathers: Paul was very passionate about following the Jewish religious traditions he learned from his ancestors (see Mark 7:6–13).

Galatians 1:13–14

To show that his message was not from human reasoning (devised by man, 1:11), Paul explains his life before meeting Jesus. He was a very successful Jew (see Acts 8:1–3; 22:1–5; 26:4–5; Philippians 3:4–7). His opposition to God's church and strict following of Judaism showed his belief in the law before Christ confronted him (Galatians 1:15–16).

Galatians 1:11–2:21

The Judaizers (people who insisted on following Jewish customs) came to Galatia. They preached that both faith and circumcision were necessary. They questioned Paul's authority as an apostle and tried to discredit his message. Paul defended his authority by showing that past events proved his message was the true good news.

Galatians 1:1–2:21

Some people were against Paul and questioned whether he was a true apostle. They did not believe he was honest and did not think he had the right to be a leader in the church. So Paul begins his letter by explaining that he really was an apostle with authority from God.

Theme notes and profiles

Jewish Leaders Paul (Saul)

People

Judaism: The monotheistic religion of the Jewish people

Glossary

Apostle, Apostleship Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Disciple Faith Judaizers Letter to the Galatians Ordain, Ordination Paul the Apostle Pharisees Zealot

Topics

Bigotry of Saul, in Persecuting the Christians Ignorance: Sins of Paul: A Zealous Pharisee Religious Zeal without Knowledge The Pharisees: Character of Zealous of Tradition Zeal: Sometimes not According to Knowledge