Acts 26:5

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

Which knew {G4267} me {G3165} from the beginning {G509}, if {G1437} they would {G2309} testify {G3140}, that {G3754} after {G2596} the most straitest {G196} sect {G139} of our {G2251} religion {G2356} I lived {G2198} a Pharisee {G5330}.

They have known me for a long time; and if they are willing, they can testify that I have followed the strictest party in our religion β€” that is, I have lived as a Parush.

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

having knowledge of me from the first, if they be willing to testify, that after the straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.

Commentary

In Acts 26:5, the Apostle Paul continues his powerful defense before King Agrippa II, Governor Festus, and other dignitaries in Caesarea. This verse highlights a crucial aspect of Paul's former identity, establishing his impeccable credentials within Judaism before his dramatic conversion to Christianity.

Context

Paul is on trial, accused by Jewish leaders of various offenses, including blasphemy and disturbing the peace. Rather than merely defending himself against specific charges, Paul uses this opportunity to share his personal testimony, tracing his journey from being a zealous persecutor of Christians to a fervent follower of Christ. Here, he appeals to those present who knew him from his youth in Jerusalem, specifically stating that they could testify to his rigorous adherence to the Jewish faith.

Key Themes

  • Paul's Jewish Identity: Paul emphasizes his deep roots and strict upbringing within Judaism. He was not a fringe figure but a prominent member of the most rigorous Jewish sect. This background lends significant weight to his later testimony about Christ.
  • Credibility Through Witness: By inviting testimony from those who "knew me from the beginning," Paul asserts the undeniable truth of his past life. This appeal to established facts strengthens his defense and underscores the radical transformation he underwent.
  • The Strictness of the Pharisees: Paul identifies himself as having belonged to "the most straitest sect of our religion," referring to the Pharisees. This sect was renowned for its meticulous observance of the Mosaic Law and oral traditions, setting them apart from other Jewish groups like the Sadducees. Paul's adherence was not casual but deeply committed, as he later states in Philippians 3:5, where he describes himself as "a Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee."

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "the most straitest sect" uses "straitest" in its archaic sense, meaning the strictest, most rigorous, or most precise. It comes from the Greek word akribestatos (ἀκριβέστατος), which conveys the idea of being exceedingly exact or scrupulous. This accurately describes the Pharisees' reputation for meticulous adherence to religious law and tradition, differentiating them from other less stringent groups.

Practical Application

Paul's testimony in Acts 26:5 offers several insights for believers today:

  • The Power of Transformation: Paul's past as a zealous Pharisee, who even persecuted Christians, serves as a powerful testament to the transformative power of God's grace. No background or previous life is beyond the reach of Christ's saving work. His radical change is detailed in his conversion account on the road to Damascus.
  • Authenticity of Witness: Paul's willingness to appeal to those who knew his past highlights the authenticity of his conversion. Our past experiences, even those contrary to faith, can become part of a credible testimony to God's work in our lives.
  • Understanding Zeal: This verse helps us understand that religious zeal, even when sincere, does not equate to true knowledge of God without Christ. Paul's zealous pursuit of righteousness through the Law ultimately led him to persecute the very Messiah he now proclaimed.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Acts 23:6

    ΒΆ But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men [and] brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.

  • Acts 22:3

    ΒΆ I am verily a man [which am] a Jew, born in Tarsus, [a city] in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, [and] taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.

  • Acts 22:5

    As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished.

  • Acts 24:5

    For we have found this man [a] pestilent [fellow], and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:

  • Acts 24:14

    But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:

  • Philippians 3:5

    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 3:6

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