Acts 26 5

Acts 26:5 kjv

Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.

Acts 26:5 nkjv

They knew me from the first, if they were willing to testify, that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.

Acts 26:5 niv

They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that I conformed to the strictest sect of our religion, living as a Pharisee.

Acts 26:5 esv

They have known for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest party of our religion I have lived as a Pharisee.

Acts 26:5 nlt

If they would admit it, they know that I have been a member of the Pharisees, the strictest sect of our religion.

Acts 26 verses

Acts 26 5 Meaning

Acts 26:5 captures Paul's assertion of his deep-rooted identity as a meticulously observant Pharisee before his conversion. He appeals to the shared history and knowledge of his Jewish accusers and King Agrippa, stating that those who knew him from a young age could verify that his life was lived according to the most stringent interpretation and practice within the Jewish faith, that of the Pharisaic sect. This statement serves to establish his impeccable Jewish credentials, demonstrating that his present faith in Christ is not a radical break from his ancestral religion but rather the fulfillment of its core hope.

Acts 26 5 Context

Acts chapter 26 records Paul's eloquent defense before King Agrippa II, the Roman governor Festus, and other dignitaries in Caesarea. Paul, imprisoned for his evangelistic work, faces accusations from Jewish leaders who view his proclamation of Jesus as the Messiah as blasphemy and a disruption of their customs. In his defense, Paul outlines his entire journey, beginning with his life before conversion. Verse 5 is critical as it establishes his unassailable Jewish identity and credentials from the very beginning of his life, specifically as a strict adherent of Pharisaic Judaism. This sets the stage for Paul to explain that his current belief in Jesus is not an abandonment of his heritage, but rather the very fulfillment of the hope that was central to his Jewish upbringing, particularly the promise of resurrection and the Messiah, which was dear to the Pharisees. He highlights his impeccable past to underscore the profound transformation brought by his encounter with the risen Christ, presenting his conversion as divinely ordained and in continuity with God's overarching plan for Israel.

Acts 26 5 Word analysis

• They know me: The Greek verb used here, ginōskousin (γινώσκουσιν), implies a direct, personal, and well-established acquaintance. It's not a casual recognition but a knowledge acquired over time, emphasizing Paul's long-standing public identity. Paul challenges his accusers by referring to their shared history.
• from the first: The Greek term is anōthen (ἄνωθεν). While anōthen can also mean "from above" (as in John 3:3, "born from above"), in this context and Luke's usage (Luke 1:3), it means "from the beginning," or "from early on." This signifies that his Pharisaic commitment was not a recent or temporary phase but spanned his youth and formative years, known to anyone observing his life in Jerusalem.
• if they were willing to testify: This conditional phrase suggests Paul is directly challenging the integrity of his accusers. He implies that if they were honest witnesses, they would confirm his assertion about his past. This appeals to common knowledge and puts the onus on his Jewish detractors to contradict a known fact, further validating his claims.
• that according to the strictest sect:
  • strictest: akribestatēn (ἀκριβεστάτην) is the superlative form of akribēs, meaning "exact, precise, accurate, strict." This adjective highlights the unparalleled rigor and meticulousness of the Pharisees' adherence to the Law, both written and oral. Paul isn't using it derisively but as a statement of fact concerning their known reputation for unparalleled zeal and careful observance among Jewish groups.
  • sect: hairesin (αἵρεσιν), from which we get "heresy," primarily means a "choice," then a "school of thought," "party," or "sect." It could be used neutrally (as here and in Acts 23:6 referring to Sadducees, or in 1 Cor 11:19 referring to divisions within the church) or negatively (as in Acts 24:5, where Tertullus refers to Christians as "the sect of the Nazarenes," or 2 Pet 2:1 referring to "destructive heresies"). Here, Paul uses it descriptively to denote the distinct and well-defined party within Judaism to which he belonged. It distinguishes Pharisees from other groups like the Sadducees or Essenes.
• of our religion: The Greek term thrēskeias (θρησκείας) refers to the outward manifestation of religious worship or religious practice, the ceremonial or devotional aspect. It denotes the formal, structured system of belief and practice, specifically the Jewish way of life and its observances, rituals, and traditions. Paul is identifying with the shared Jewish faith, emphasizing that he practiced it in its most rigorous form.
• I lived as a Pharisee: ezēsa Pharisaios (ἔζησα Φαρισαῖος) literally means "I lived, a Pharisee." The verb "lived" (ezēsa) signifies that his entire life, his conduct, his very being and identity, was characterized by and devoted to the tenets and practices of the Pharisaic sect. It was not just a passing affiliation but a fundamental aspect of who he was. This commitment made him eminently qualified and knowledgeable in Jewish law and tradition, which ironically later served as a profound foundation for his articulation of the Gospel.

Acts 26 5 Bonus section

Paul's Pharisaic training under Gamaliel (Acts 22:3), one of the most respected rabbinic teachers of his era, equipped him with an intimate and unparalleled understanding of the Old Testament Law, its various interpretations, and the methodologies of rabbinic argumentation. This detailed knowledge, acquired through his rigorous adherence to Pharisaic discipline, became a vital tool in his later ministry. He could articulate the Gospel in terms understood by Jewish audiences, explain how Christ fulfilled the Law, and effectively debate those who held to salvation by legalistic adherence. This background, far from being discarded, was transformed and redeployed by the Holy Spirit to serve God's purposes. Paul’s former life as a staunch Pharisee serves as the ultimate backdrop for showcasing the transformative power of the Gospel—a testament to how even the most ardent adherent of a strict system can be completely reoriented by encountering the resurrected Christ.

Acts 26 5 Commentary

Acts 26:5 is a cornerstone in Paul's defense before Agrippa. By openly asserting his background as a highly committed Pharisee, Paul accomplishes several objectives. First, he immediately validates his credibility within the Jewish legal and religious framework. He was not an outsider but someone deeply ingrained in the traditions of Israel. Second, this strong prior identity underscores the radical nature of his conversion; it highlights that only a divine intervention could transform such a zealous opponent into the chief advocate for Christ. Third, by emphasizing the "strictest sect," he shows that his former zeal was of the highest order, laying the groundwork for explaining that his current zeal for Christ is a continuation, and fulfillment, of that very desire for God's righteousness, albeit found through faith in the Messiah, not works of the Law. It’s a sophisticated argument demonstrating that his Christian faith is rooted in, and consistent with, the ultimate hope and promise embedded within the Jewish heritage.