Galatians 1:14

Galatians 1:14

And profited in the Jews’ religion above man of my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.

a. NLT: I was far ahead of my fellow Jews in my zeal for the traditions of my ancestors.

b. NIV: I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers.

c. YLT: And I was advancing in Judaism above many equals in age in mine own race, being more abundantly zealous of my fathers' deliverances,

d. Amplified Bible Classic:  And [you have heard how] I outstripped many of the men of my own generation among the people of my race in [my advancement in study and observance of the laws of] Judaism, so extremely enthusiastic and zealous I was for the traditions of my ancestors.

e. Worrell Translation: And was making progress in Judaism above many companions of the same age in my own nation, being more exceedingly a zealot for my ancestral instructions.

f. Wuest Translation: And I was constantly blazing a pioneer path, outstripping in Judaism many of my own age in my race, being more exceedingly zealous of my ancestral traditions.

1. “And profited in the Jews’ religion above man of my equals in mine own nation…”

a. 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.]

b. profited [Strong: 4298 prokopto prok-op'-to from 4253 and 2875; to drive forward (as if by beating), i.e. (figuratively and intransitively) to advance (in amount, to grow; in time, to be well along):--increase, proceed, profit, be far spent, wax.]

c. 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.]

d. 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.

e. above [Strong: 5228 huper hoop-er' a primary preposition; "over", i.e. (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative case superior to, more than:--(+ exceeding, abundantly) above, in (on) behalf of, beyond, by, + very chiefest, concerning, exceeding (above, -ly), for, + very highly, more (than), of, over, on the part of, for sake of, in stead, than, to(-ward), very. In the comparative, it retains many of the above applications.]

f. many [Strong: 4183 polus pol-oos' including the forms from the alternate pollos; (singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely:--abundant, + altogether, common, + far (passed, spent), (+ be of a) great (age, deal, -ly, while), long, many, much, oft(-en (-times)), plenteous, sore, straitly.]

g. my equals [Strong: 4915 sunelikiotes soon-ay-lik-ee-o'-tace from 4862 and a derivative of 2244; a co-aged person, i.e. alike in years:--equal.]

h. 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.]

i. mine own [Strong: 3450 mou moo the simpler form of 1700; of me:--I, me, mine (own), my.]

j. nation [Strong: 1085 genos ghen'-os from 1096; "kin" (abstract or concrete, literal or figurative, individual or collective):--born, country(-man), diversity, generation, kind(-red), nation, offspring, stock.]

1). Paul advanced further and faster than most of his peers, the reason is given next in the verse.

2. “…being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.”

a. being [Strong: 5225 huparcho hoop-ar'-kho from 5259 and 756; to begin under (quietly), i.e. come into existence (be present or at hand); expletively, to exist (as copula or subordinate to an adjective, participle, adverb or preposition, or as an auxiliary to a principal (verb):--after, behave, live.]

b. more exceeding [Strong: 4056 more superabundantly:--more abundant(-ly), X the more earnest, (more) exceedingly, more frequent, much more, the rather.] [Zodhiates: Exceedingly, much more, more frequently, more superabundantly.]

c. zealous [Strong: 2207 zelotes dzay-lo-tace' from 2206; a "zealot":--zealous.] [Zodhiates: one zealous for or eagerly desirous of something.]

d. of 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.]

e. traditions [Strong: 3862 paradosis par-ad'-os-is transmission, i.e. (concretely) a precept; specially, the Jewish traditionary law:--ordinance, tradition.] [Zodhiates: A tradition, doctrine or injunction delivered or communicated from one to another, whether divine or human.]

1). Many of those traditions surely contradicted the will of God.

a).  Matthew 15:1-9 Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying,

2 Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.

3 But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?

4 For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.

5 But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;

6 And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.

7 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,

8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

9  But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

2). Paul’s exceeding zeal led him to hunt down any Jews who accepted Christ Jesus as the Messiah, which in his view was apostate. The chief priests agreed with him and gave him that authority.

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

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.

f. of my [Strong: 3450 mou moo the simpler form of 1700; of me:--I, me, mine (own), my.]

g. fathers [Strong: 3967 patrikos pat-ree-kos' from 3962; paternal, i.e. ancestral:--of fathers.]