Galatians 1:13

Galatians 1:13

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:

a. NLT: You know what I was like when I followed the Jewish religion—how I violently persecuted God’s church. I did my best to destroy it.

b. NIV: For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it.

c. YLT: For ye did hear of my behaviour once in Judaism, that exceedingly I was persecuting the assembly of God, and wasting it,

d. Amplified Bible Classic:  You have heard of my earlier career and former manner of life in the Jewish religion (Judaism), how I persecuted and abused the church of God furiously and extensively, and [with fanatical zeal did my best] to make havoc of it and destroy it.

e. Worrell Translation: For ye heard of my conduct formerly in Judaism; that, beyond measure, I was persecuting the assembly of God, and laying it waste.

f. Wuest Translation: For you heard of my manner of life aforetime in Judaism, that beyond measure I kept on continually persecuting the Church of God and continually bring destruction upon it.

1. “For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion…”

a. For [Strong: 1063 gar gar a primary particle; properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles):--and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.]

b. ye have heard [Strong: 191 akouo ak-oo'-o a primary verb; to hear (in various senses):--give (in the) audience (of), come (to the ears), (shall) hear(-er, -ken), be noised, be reported, understand.]

c. of my [Strong: 1699 emos em-os' from the oblique cases of 1473 (1698, 1700, 1691); my:--of me, mine (own), my.]

d. conversation [Strong: 391 anastrophe an-as-trof-ay' from 390; behavior:--conversation.] [Zodhiates: A turning about, in the NT, mode of life, conduct, behavior, life as made up of actions.]

e. in time past [Strong: 4218 pote pot-eh' from the base of 4225 and 5037; indefinite adverb, at some time, ever:--afore-(any, some-)time(-s), at length (the last), (+ n- )ever, in the old time, in time past, once, when.]

f. in [Strong: 1722 en en a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.]

g. the Jews’ religion [Strong: 2454 Ioudaismos ee-oo-dah-is-mos' from 2450; "Judaism", i.e. the Jewish faith and usages:--Jews' religion.]

1). The phrase “Jews religion” is harsh and condescending, while Judaism is the proper term. I have been taught during much of my Christian life and I have even taught in Bible study groups in the past, that Judaism was nothing but legalism, no mercy or faith or grace. It is absolutely untruthful. All the great and powerful men and women of faith in the Old Covenant believed and obeyed in a living vibrant faith of Judaism full of mercy, faith, and grace. Granted, Judaism today is an outdated revelation of God's Covenant and the Jewish people need to receive Christ and the fresh revelation of the New Covenant in Christ Jesus, but they are still God's chosen people and we as believers need to pursue them and love them into Covenant with God. 

2. “…how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:”

a. how that [Strong: 3754 hoti hot'-ee neuter of 3748 as conjunction; demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because:--as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.]

b. beyond [Strong: 2596 kata kat-ah' a primary particle; (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined):--about, according as (to), after, against, (when they were) X alone, among, and, X apart, (even, like) as (concerning, pertaining to touching), X aside, at, before, beyond, by, to the charge of, (charita-)bly, concerning, + covered, (dai-)ly, down, every, (+ far more) exceeding, X more excellent, for, from ... to, godly, in(-asmuch, divers, every, -to, respect of), ... by, after the manner of, + by any means, beyond (out of) measure, X mightily, more, X natural, of (up-)on (X part), out (of every), over against, (+ your) X own, + particularly, so, through(-oughout, -oughout every), thus, (un-)to(-gether, -ward), X uttermost, where(-by), with. In composition it retains many of these applications, and frequently denotes opposition, distribution, or intensity.]

c. measure [Strong: 5236 huperbole hoop-er-bol-ay' from 5235; a throwing beyond others, i.e. (figuratively) supereminence; adverbially (with 1519 or 2596) pre- eminently:--abundance, (far more) exceeding, excellency, more excellent, beyond (out of) measure.]

d. I persecuted [Strong: 1377 dioko dee-o'-ko a prolonged (and causative) form of a primary verb dio (to flee; compare the base of 1169 and 1249); to pursue (literally or figuratively); by implication, to persecute:--ensue, follow (after), given to, (suffer) persecute(-ion), press forward.]

e. the [Strong: 3588 ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.]

f. church [Strong: 1577 ekklesia ek-klay-see'-ah from a compound of 1537 and a derivative of 2564; a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both):--assembly, church.]

g. of God [Strong: 2316 theos theh'-os of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with 3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).]

h. and [Strong: 2532 kai kahee apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

i. wasted [Strong: 4199 portheo por-theh'-o prolongation from pertho (to sack); to ravage (figuratively):--destroy, waste.]

j. it [Strong: 846 autos ow-tos' from the particle au (perhaps akin to the base of 109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative 1438) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which.]

1). Before his conversion Saul tried everything in his own power to stamp out the preaching of the gospel.

a). Acts 8:1-3 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.

8:2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.

8:3 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.

b). Acts 9:1, 2 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,

9:2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

c). Acts 26:9-11 I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

26:10 Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them.

26:11 And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.