Philippians 3 5

Philippians 3:5 kjv

Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;

Philippians 3:5 nkjv

circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee;

Philippians 3:5 niv

circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee;

Philippians 3:5 esv

circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee;

Philippians 3:5 nlt

I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin ? a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law.

Philippians 3 verses

Philippians 3 5 Meaning

Philippians 3:5 presents a precise list of Paul's impeccable Jewish credentials prior to his conversion to Christ. This verse highlights his ethnic purity, strict adherence to the Law, and standing within first-century Judaism, establishing a foundation from which he will subsequently demonstrate that these very impressive gains were ultimately deemed worthless for the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus as Lord. It sets up Paul's profound re-evaluation of all human merits in light of God's grace through faith.

Philippians 3 5 Context

Philippians 3 opens with a stark warning against false teachers, whom Paul labels "dogs," "evil workers," and those who "mutilate the flesh" (Phl 3:2). These teachers, often identified as "Judaizers," insisted that Gentile believers needed to observe aspects of the Mosaic Law, especially circumcision, to be truly saved or perfectly sanctified. In response, Paul champions "true circumcision" as a spiritual reality, defining it as worshiping by the Spirit, boasting in Christ Jesus, and having no confidence in human efforts or achievements ("the flesh") (Phl 3:3).

Verse 3:5 then serves as the autobiographical foundation for Paul's argument. He doesn't just theorize about "confidence in the flesh"; he presents his own unassailable credentials—the very things any Jew of his time would have boasted in as markers of divine favor and religious superiority. By detailing his impeccable Jewish lineage and observance, Paul is not subtly boasting, but rather demonstrating that if anyone had grounds for "confidence in the flesh," it was him. This powerful personal example sets the stage for his subsequent declaration in Phl 3:7-8 that he now considers all these things "loss" for the sake of Christ, dismantling the claims of the Judaizers by showing his own radical re-evaluation. The letter overall encourages joy and steadfastness in Christ amidst opposition and internal struggles in the Philippian church, and this passage serves to bolster their faith against external legalistic pressures.

Philippians 3 5 Word analysis

• circumcised: (Greek: peritemōmenos, περıtεμvóμενος)

  • This is a perfect participle, indicating a past completed action with continuing results.
  • Significance: Paul underwent the ritual of circumcision. This was not merely an ethnic marker but a covenant sign for all Jewish males, commanded by God (Gen 17). It distinguished the Jewish people as God's chosen. For Paul to highlight this stresses his full inclusion in the Abrahamic covenant from birth.

• on the eighth day: (Greek: ogdoē hēmerā, ὀγδόῃ ἡμέρᾳ)

  • This specifies the exact timing of Paul's circumcision, according to the Law (Lev 12:3).
  • Significance: It indicates that Paul was circumcised as an infant Jew, not as a later convert (proselyte) who might have been circumcised at any age. This confirms his status as a "born Jew" and complete adherence to the Mosaic commandments from the earliest possible moment of his life.

• of the tribe: (Greek: phylēs, φυλῆς)

  • Refers to an ancestral lineage, one of the twelve divisions of Israel.
  • Significance: Membership in a specific tribe was critical for Jewish identity, maintaining historical connections, and ensuring a claim to inherited portions of the land of Israel. It reinforces his pure ethnic background.

• of Benjamin: (Greek: Beniamin, Βενιαμίν)

  • The particular tribe to which Paul belonged.
  • Significance: This was a prominent tribe with a rich history. It was the smallest tribe but had the distinction of providing Israel's first king, Saul (1 Sam 9). Paul, notably, was named "Saul" before his conversion, linking him personally to this king. The tribe of Benjamin was also one of the two tribes that formed the Kingdom of Judah after the division, highlighting its fidelity to Jerusalem and the Temple. It underscores a noble and recognized lineage within Israel.

• a Hebrew: (Greek: Hebraios, Ἑβραῖος)

  • This term could refer to one's lineage but, in this context, carried a strong cultural and linguistic connotation.
  • Significance: It signifies one who maintained the ancestral language (Hebrew or Aramaic), customs, and culture, in contrast to "Hellenists" or Greek-speaking Jews who might have adopted more Greco-Roman ways (Acts 6:1). Paul identified as fully rooted in traditional Jewish culture and language, distinguishing himself from Jews assimilated to Greek culture.

• of Hebrews: (Greek: ex Hebraiōn, ἐξ Ἑβραίων)

  • This genitive construction emphasizes a high degree of "Hebrewness."
  • Significance: Paul is not merely a "Hebrew," but "from Hebrews," indicating that both his parents were also "Hebrews." It signifies an unblemished, pure line of Hebrew heritage and tradition, emphasizing that he belonged to the most conservative and culturally distinct Jewish lineage.

• as to the law: (Greek: kata nomon, κατὰ νόμον)

  • A prepositional phrase indicating his conduct and adherence relative to the Mosaic Law.
  • Significance: This sets the stage for his subsequent identification as a Pharisee. It means his life and practice were determined and governed by the Law. This highlights his devotion and strict observance of all its commands, both written and oral.

• a Pharisee: (Greek: Pharisaios, Φαρισαῖος)

  • Refers to membership in the most respected and influential Jewish sect of Paul's day.
  • Significance: The Pharisees were known for their zealous, meticulous adherence to the Torah (both written and oral traditions), their commitment to holiness, and their rigorous study of Scripture. Becoming a Pharisee meant intense dedication to Jewish law and piety (Acts 26:5). For Paul to identify as a Pharisee underscores his commitment to Jewish legalism and religious fervor. This was a position of great prestige and spiritual authority within Judaism.

• Circumcised on the eighth day: This phrase together confirms Paul's ethnic purity and scrupulous obedience to God's covenant commands from his earliest possible moment of life, ruling out any idea of him being a less "authentic" Jew.

• Of the tribe of Benjamin: This not only states his ancestral roots but invokes a historically significant and noble tribe within Israel, suggesting a distinguished lineage.

• A Hebrew of Hebrews: This dual emphasis highlights his unblemished cultural, linguistic, and ancestral purity within traditional Judaism, signifying his deep roots in and loyalty to traditional Jewish identity, in contrast to Hellenistic Judaism.

• As to the law, a Pharisee: This two-part description powerfully asserts his ultimate commitment to and practice of the Jewish faith, placing him within the most zealous and revered movement for upholding the Mosaic Law.

Philippians 3 5 Bonus section

The intense precision in Paul's detailing of his credentials ("circumcised on the eighth day," "a Hebrew of Hebrews") points to a direct challenge against potential accusations or even self-doubt concerning his Jewish authenticity. When addressing various churches, Paul often needed to assert his legitimate apostleship and heritage. Here, it functions as a preemptive strike, allowing him to state: "If you think these things matter, let me tell you my resume far surpasses what anyone else might bring to the table." This rhetorical strategy disarms those who might boast in lesser, or even similar, external marks of Jewish identity. It is not just a personal recounting but a theological device demonstrating the vast chasm between human attainment and divine grace. His list exemplifies what it means to put "confidence in the flesh," which he vehemently rejected.

Philippians 3 5 Commentary

Philippians 3:5 is a critical piece of Paul's personal testimony and theological argument against legalism. He lays out his exceptional resume—points of genuine honor and divine appointment from a Jewish perspective. Each item on his list—born into the covenant, observing the Law's demands precisely, belonging to a venerable tribe, maintaining the purest Hebrew heritage, and committing to the strictest sect—would have commanded respect and admiration among his contemporaries, particularly the Judaizers who advocated for Jewish customs among Christians.

Paul doesn't list these to revel in them, but to immediately undermine them. His aim is to emphatically declare that if anyone could find confidence or boasting material in these human accomplishments or natural advantages, it was he. Yet, he explicitly states that all of these "gains" he once valued, he now counts as "loss" for the supreme knowledge of Christ Jesus (Phl 3:7-8). The sheer weight of his Jewish accomplishments makes his repudiation of them all the more powerful, serving as an undeniable challenge to anyone who would insist on external markers or human effort for salvation or spiritual maturity. This verse showcases the magnitude of Paul's conversion and the radical reorientation of his values, underscoring that all human effort pales in comparison to God's grace revealed in Christ.