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Philippians 3

Philippians 3:6

Righteousness through Faith in Christ · Philippians 3:1–11
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Translations

Modern
…as to zeal, persecuting the church; as to righteousness in the law, faultless.
Traditional
Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
Literal
…according to zeal, persecuting the church; according to righteousness that is in the law, having become blameless.
Latin
…secundum æmulationem persequens Ecclesiam Dei, secundum justitiam, quæ in lege est, conversatus sine querela.

Original

Greek
English
…as to zeal, persecuting the church; as to righteousness in the law, faultless.

Notes

Philippians 3:6

  • as to zeal, persecuting the church (see Acts 8:1–3; 9:1–2, 21; Galatians 1:13): Paul's actions showed his strong support for Judaism, which saw the good news about Jesus as a threat.

  • Paul’s righteousness, as judged by human standards, also showed his dedication to the law (see also Galatians 1:14; for Paul’s later Christian view, compare Romans 3:23; 7:14–25).

Philippians 3:5–6

If anyone had reason to trust in their religious status as a Jew, Paul did. He strictly followed Jewish law and was very passionate about the Jewish religion.

Philippians 3:2–11

Paul warns believers not to be influenced by Jewish Christians who say circumcision is necessary for salvation. Paul then talks about his own conversion from Judaism to following Christ.

Parallels

Romans 3:21–31

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Circumcision Jew Judaizers Messiah Paul the Apostle Pharisees Philippians, Letter to the

Topics

Bigotry of Saul, in Persecuting the Christians Formalism: General Scriptures Concerning Persecution: Spirit of Paul Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul Religious Zeal: General Scriptures Concerning Righteousness: Saints: Put No Trust in Their Own Testimony: Religious, Exemplified The Pharisees: Character of Outwardly Moral Works: Insufficiency of, for Salvation Zeal: Sometimes Wrongly Directed