For this series in Philippians, I am going to limit each post to one verse, and hopefully produce a short, succinct read for my friends who follow.

3:5   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;

Paul refers to five accomplishments he can claim to in his life, prior to meeting the risen Savior, and that he labored in. It is quite a list of honor and status!

Circumcision

Not only circumcised, but circumcised on the correct day after his birth. Some in the nation may have been circumcised beyond that day. For example, the rare gentile who would enter the Jewish faith would get circumcised as an adult! Paul was better than that dirty convert, though it was nothing he actually done. It was done to him.

Of the correct people

Paul had the right blood in him. He could trace his lineage back to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and surely that made a difference in God’s eyes! Paul was better than those who were outsiders to the physical lineage of Abraham, though it was nothing he actually done. It was done to him.

Of a better Tribe

Paul was out of a better tribe, one that had a history of relative faithfulness to God. Paul was better than some of his own blood brothers, though it was nothing he actually done. It was done to him.

A Hebrew of the Hebrews

Here we may be entering into Paul’s efforts to attain to being “better than the rest”. I understand Paul’s intent with this phrase to say he is the Hebrew”ist” of Hebrews, not of any offshoot from the pure Hebrew life, such as the Hellenistic Hebrews, who had left behind the mother tongue and many other aspects of the Hebrew lifestyle. Paul was better than some of his own cultural brothers, though even with this claim, his parents were the ones to provide this basis for him to build on. Nevertheless, he was better!

A Pharisee

Ok – here we go! This claim is the beginning of where Paul’s chest used to go from large to gigantic in terms of pride. Paul was doctrinally pure, a condition that bolstered his previously granted situation in life with his own efforts. By his own choice he determined the correct religious party to follow after, based possibly on what seemed a higher moral or religious code. Nevertheless, his approach to the law was impeccable in his interpretation!

Sadly, the One who gave the law, and lived it perfectly interpreted the law and the prophets quite differently. But Paul was sincere to say the least!

Sincerity in an error simply means you are sincerely wrong, but amongst those who followed after the pharisaical life, Paul was up there amongst the best!

Wow – he truly was better! In a race of competition to see who is the greatest, it surely wasn’t Christ in Paul’s previous life. Nope, I think Paul might suggest he was the greatest.

Our next verse will continue in this vein of vanity, but let us remember this is the life and attitude of the old Paul, and of his confidence in the flesh.

To close this post, I would like to ask my readers a difficult question.

What reasons do you have to place confidence in the flesh?

• Is your background purer in some regard than your neighbors?
• Do you have skills that elevate you above your friends?
• Have you been granted privileges that others have not, and find comfort in these privileges?

May God have His way in our lives.

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