Galatians 1:13
For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:
Original Language Analysis
γὰρ
For
G1063
γὰρ
For
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
2 of 20
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰουδαϊσμῷ
the Jews' religion
G2454
Ἰουδαϊσμῷ
the Jews' religion
Strong's:
G2454
Word #:
9 of 20
"judaism", i.e., the jewish faith and usages
ὅτι
how that
G3754
ὅτι
how that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
10 of 20
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
καθ'
beyond
G2596
καθ'
beyond
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
11 of 20
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
ὑπερβολὴν
measure
G5236
ὑπερβολὴν
measure
Strong's:
G5236
Word #:
12 of 20
a throwing beyond others, i.e., (figuratively) supereminence; adverbially (with g1519 or g2596) pre- eminently
ἐδίωκον
I persecuted
G1377
ἐδίωκον
I persecuted
Strong's:
G1377
Word #:
13 of 20
compare the base of g1169 and g1249); to pursue (literally or figuratively); by implication, to persecute
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐκκλησίαν
the church
G1577
ἐκκλησίαν
the church
Strong's:
G1577
Word #:
15 of 20
a calling out, i.e., (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (jewish synagogue, or christian community of members on earth
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ
of God
G2316
θεοῦ
of God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
17 of 20
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
Cross References
Acts 8:3As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.Acts 9:26And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.Acts 9:21But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?1 Corinthians 15:9For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.1 Timothy 1:13Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.Acts 8:1And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.Philippians 3:6Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
Historical Context
Paul's persecution is documented in Acts 7-9. He held coats at Stephen's stoning (Acts 7:58), ravaged the church dragging believers to prison (Acts 8:3), breathed murderous threats seeking letters to arrest Damascus believers (Acts 9:1-2), and was known to Judean churches by reputation though not by sight (verse 22). His Pharisaic zeal (Philippians 3:4-6) made him Judaism's rising star and Christianity's chief enemy. This dramatic reversal authenticated both his conversion's reality and his gospel's divine origin—no human process explains such transformation. The Judaizers couldn't claim comparable divine intervention.
Questions for Reflection
- In what ways does your pre-Christian past (whether morally good or bad) reveal the gospel's transforming power?
- Why is it significant that Paul attacked not just Christians but "the church of God" specifically?
- What should the miracle of conversion produce in both your confidence about gospel truth and compassion toward current enemies?
Analysis & Commentary
For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: Paul appeals to widely known facts. "Ye have heard" (ēkousate, ἠκούσατε) references his reputation—his pre-conversion life was public knowledge. "My conversation" (anastrophēn, ἀναστροφήν) means "conduct, manner of life"—behavioral pattern, not mere speech. "In time past" (pote) contrasts former life with present.
"In the Jews' religion" (en tō Ioudaismō, ἐν τῷ Ἰουδαϊσμῷ) refers to Judaism as religious system and culture. Paul uses Ioudaismos (only here and verse 14 in NT) to describe his zealous Pharisaic past. "Beyond measure" (kath' hyperbolēn, καθ' ὑπερβολήν) means "to excess, extraordinarily"—Paul was extreme in persecution. "I persecuted" (ediōkon, ἐδίωκον) uses imperfect tense indicating continuous, habitual action.
"The church of God" (tēn ekklēsian tou theou)—Paul attacked not mere human movement but God's own assembly. "Wasted it" (eporthoun autēn, ἐπόρθουν αὐτήν) means "destroyed, ravaged," using military language for violent devastation (same word Acts 9:21). Paul's savagery proves his gospel didn't evolve from natural progression but required supernatural intervention—the persecutor became the preacher through divine revelation alone.