Galatians 1:13,14 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Bible Comments

For ye have heard of my conversation in time past As if he said, To convince you that I received the knowledge of the gospel by immediate revelation from Christ, I appeal to my behaviour, both before and after I was made an apostle; in the Jewish religion Εν τω Ιουδαισμω, in Judaism. The expression is well chosen; and, as L'Enfant justly observes, is not intended by the apostle of the religion originally taught by Moses, and contained in his writings and those of the prophets, but, as is evident from the latter part of the next verse, of that which was practised among the Jews at this time, and consisted in a great degree in observing the traditions of the fathers, and the commandments of men. How that beyond measure Καθ ' υπερβολην, exceedingly, and with the most insatiable rage; I persecuted the church of God Whether considered as individual believers, or as persons united in religious societies and congregations; and wasted it Ravaged it with all the fury of a beast of prey. So the word επορθουν, here used, signifies. And profited Made proficiency in the knowledge and practice of Judaism; above many of my equals Many of the same age with myself; in mine own nation Or who were of the same standing in the study of the law; being more exceedingly zealous of the unwritten traditions of my fathers Over and above the doctrines and precepts written in the law. These were what the evangelists and our Lord called the traditions of men, and their own traditions, (Mark 7:8-9,) to show that they were mere human inventions. “It was the characteristic of a Pharisee to hold these traditions as of equal authority with the precepts of the law. Nay, in many cases, they gave them the preference. Hence our Lord told them, Mark 7:9, Full well ye reject the commandments of God, that ye may keep your own traditions. The apostle mentions his knowledge of the traditions of the fathers, and his zeal for them, as things absolutely necessary to salvation, to convince the Galatians that his preaching justification without the works of the law, could be attributed to nothing but the force of truth communicated to him by revelation.” Macknight.

Galatians 1:13-14

13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:

14 And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equalsa in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.