Philippians 3:6 - Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

Concerning zeal; not lukewarm, but exceedingly fervent in the strictest observances of the Pharisaic order, which was much in external devotion, Luke 18:12, very solicitous for proselytes, Matthew 23:15,25. Herein he was above his equals for years, being exceedingly zealous of the traditions of the fathers, Galatians 1:14, (and his zeal had been very commendable had it been in a good matter, Galatians 4:18), that which the false apostles contended much for. Persecuting the church; which he showed all manner of ways in his rage against the church of Christ, conceived by the Pharisees to be opposite to the law of Moses, Acts 9:1, Acts 22:3,4 26:9-12 Galatians 1:13. Touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless; he rises higher yet in his personal obedience; he might have been a zealot in his sect, and yet a hypocrite, if not of a scandalous life; but it seems, in the external observation of those things which the ceremonial or moral law did prescribe, he was, in the eye of man, of a blameless conversation, resembling Zacharias and Elisabeth, Luke 1:6. Men could not tax him, he had behaved himself so conscientiously, Acts 23:1; yet when he had his eyes opened, he found here was no such matter of confidence for him before God, 1 Samuel 16:7 1 Corinthians 4:4. This external performance he found, when enlightened, was far short of internal and perfect obedience, Romans 7:7; and therefore he saw it necessary to change the ground and foundation of his confidence, all that he before rested on, unto Christ alone, 1 Corinthians 3:11 2 Corinthians 5:17; not seeking to receive honour from men, but that from Christ only, 1 Thessalonians 5:44.