Philippians 3 6

Philippians 3:6 kjv

Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

Philippians 3:6 nkjv

concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

Philippians 3:6 niv

as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.

Philippians 3:6 esv

as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.

Philippians 3:6 nlt

I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault.

Philippians 3 verses

Philippians 3 6 Meaning

Paul describes his pre-conversion life with deep irony, cataloging his sterling religious credentials not as boast-worthy, but as evidence of what he once mistakenly relied upon. He asserts that he pursued Judaism with extreme fervor, acting zealously by actively persecuting the nascent Christian church. From the strict legalistic perspective of the Mosaic Law, he maintained an outwardly perfect obedience, rendering him blameless in the eyes of his peers and by his own assessment before his encounter with Christ. This verse thus presents the zenith of his self-righteous, works-based attempt to achieve right standing before God.

Philippians 3 6 Context

Philippians 3:6 is a key part of Paul's personal testimony, delivered in a larger polemical section where he warns against "dogs" and "evil workers" – likely Judaizers who insisted on circumcision and adherence to the Law for salvation (Phl 3:2). To counter their claims, Paul asserts that if anyone could boast in "the flesh" (human achievement), he had more reason (Phl 3:4-6). This verse specifically highlights his pre-conversion zeal for Judaism and his external, legalistic righteousness. His extreme devotion even led him to persecute the nascent Christian movement, which he genuinely believed was his duty to God. This historical and cultural context underscores the immense pressure and pride associated with Jewish legal observance, setting up Paul's radical declaration that he now considers all these prestigious achievements as "rubbish" (Phl 3:7-8) for the surpassing worth of knowing Christ.

Philippians 3 6 Word analysis

• Word by word:

  • Concerning zeal (ζῆλος - zēlos): Signifies an intense fervor, eagerness, or passionate commitment. Paul's pre-conversion zeal for Judaism was extraordinarily strong, a deep religious devotion that, though genuine in intent, was misguided concerning its object and methods, leading him to oppose God's true work through Christ.
  • Persecuting (διώκων - diōkōn): A participle meaning actively pursuing, hunting down, or prosecuting. It denotes an aggressive, relentless, and often violent campaign against others. Paul was not passively opposed to Christianity but was an active and fierce antagonist, demonstrating the extreme lengths to which his misguided zeal led him.
  • the church (τὴν ἐκκλησίαν - tēn ekklēsian): Refers to the called-out assembly or congregation, specifically the community of Christ's followers. Paul’s target was not merely individuals but the collective body of believers, which, unknown to him then, was directly assailing Christ Himself, as revealed in his conversion (Acts 9:4-5).
  • concerning the righteousness (δικαιοσύνην - dikaiosynēn): Denotes right-standing, uprightness, or justice. This is the attribute of being righteous or justified, here referring to a system of achieving that status.
  • which is in the law (τὴν ἐν νόμῳ - tēn en nomō): Specifies the nature of this righteousness: it is derived from or found within strict adherence to the Mosaic Law. It represents a works-based system, relying on meticulous obedience to attain a righteous standing, distinct from righteousness received through faith in Christ.
  • blameless (ἄμεμπτος - amemptos): Meaning without fault, reproach, or accusation; irreproachable. From a human and legalistic standpoint, Paul meticulously observed all aspects of the Law—moral, ceremonial, and traditional—so perfectly that no one, especially not his Jewish peers, could find legitimate fault with his conduct. This term highlights external, superficial perfection rather than inward, spiritual transformation.

• Words-group by words-group:

  • "as to zeal, persecuting the church": This phrase captures the intense religious fervor of Paul's life before Christ, illustrating how his ardent commitment to Judaism paradoxically manifested in violent opposition to what God was doing. His mistaken belief that he was serving God’s honor by destroying the "heresy" of Christianity showcases the profound danger of misdirected devotion.
  • "as to righteousness under the law, blameless": This statement emphasizes Paul's perfect external conformity to the Mosaic Law’s commands and Pharisaic traditions. He had met every human standard for religious uprightness and moral conduct as perceived by his contemporary Jewish society, thereby holding a reputation for faultless obedience in all aspects of his legal and ceremonial life. It was a humanly attainable blamelessness, ultimately incapable of rendering one truly righteous before God.

Philippians 3 6 Bonus section

• Paul's personal history presented here serves a strategic rhetorical purpose. By showcasing that he was superior to the "Judaizers" in their own boasted credentials, he utterly dismantled their arguments and rendered their insistence on the Law impotent. His declaration in Philippians 3:7-8 that these very advantages are now "rubbish" ("skubala" - dung or refuse) becomes far more potent due to the impressive resume laid out in verse 6.
• The "zeal" Paul exhibited aligns with a historical stream of intense, often violent, Jewish nationalism and religious purity movements (like the Zealots), highlighting his deep commitment to a particular understanding of God’s covenant with Israel. His persecution of the church was born not of malice towards people, but out of what he genuinely believed was faithfulness to God's Law.
• Paul's "blamelessness" also speaks to the comprehensive nature of the Mosaic Law for a devout Jew, encompassing ritual purity, dietary laws, Sabbath observance, and moral commands. To be "blameless" was to have fulfilled them meticulously, a formidable task by human standards.

Philippians 3 6 Commentary

Philippians 3:6 functions as Paul's rhetorical trump card in a debate over salvation by works versus grace. He demonstrates his supreme achievement within the legalistic framework: not only was he zealously devoted, embodying the fiercest commitment to Jewish tradition (to the extent of persecuting perceived apostates), but he was also demonstrably "blameless" by the exacting standards of the Law. This blamelessness refers to a rigorous, outwardly verifiable observance of the Mosaic code, which, from a human vantage, left him irreproachable. However, this impressive list of credentials is presented precisely to highlight its utter insufficiency for eternal salvation. Paul, who achieved everything the Judaizers championed, himself came to see it all as a monumental loss. His past, seemingly perfect, existence served to underscore that true righteousness and eternal life are found not in human effort or legal observance, but solely in the unmerited grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ. His life is a testimony to the transformative power of divine encounter over self-generated piety.