Philippians 3:6

Authorized King James Version

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

Original Language Analysis

κατὰ Concerning G2596
κατὰ Concerning
Strong's: G2596
Word #: 1 of 12
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
ζῆλον zeal G2205
ζῆλον zeal
Strong's: G2205
Word #: 2 of 12
properly, heat, i.e., (figuratively) "zeal" (in a favorable sense, ardor; in an unfavorable one, jealousy, as of a husband (figuratively, of god), or
διώκων persecuting G1377
διώκων persecuting
Strong's: G1377
Word #: 3 of 12
compare the base of g1169 and g1249); to pursue (literally or figuratively); by implication, to persecute
τὴν which G3588
τὴν which
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 4 of 12
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐκκλησίαν the church G1577
ἐκκλησίαν the church
Strong's: G1577
Word #: 5 of 12
a calling out, i.e., (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (jewish synagogue, or christian community of members on earth
κατὰ Concerning G2596
κατὰ Concerning
Strong's: G2596
Word #: 6 of 12
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
δικαιοσύνην the righteousness G1343
δικαιοσύνην the righteousness
Strong's: G1343
Word #: 7 of 12
equity (of character or act); specially (christian) justification
τὴν which G3588
τὴν which
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 8 of 12
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐν is in G1722
ἐν is in
Strong's: G1722
Word #: 9 of 12
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
νόμῳ the law G3551
νόμῳ the law
Strong's: G3551
Word #: 10 of 12
law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat
γενόμενος G1096
γενόμενος
Strong's: G1096
Word #: 11 of 12
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
ἄμεμπτος blameless G273
ἄμεμπτος blameless
Strong's: G273
Word #: 12 of 12
irreproachable

Analysis & Commentary

As touching the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless (κατὰ νόμον Φαρισαῖος, κατὰ ζῆλος διώκων τὴν ἐκκλησίαν, κατὰ δικαιοσύνην τὴν ἐν νόμῳ γενόμενος ἄμεμπτος, kata nomon Pharisaios, kata zēlos diōkōn tēn ekklēsian, kata dikaiosynēn tēn en nomō genomenos amemptos)—Three religious achievements: (5) Kata nomon Pharisaios ("according to law, a Pharisee")—strictest sect (Acts 26:5), meticulous law-observers. (6) Kata zēlos diōkōn tēn ekklēsian ("according to zeal, persecuting the church")—zēlos ("zeal") meant violent devotion (Num 25:11-13; 1 Macc 2:26-27). Paul's persecution proved zealous orthodoxy (Acts 8:3; 9:1; Gal 1:13). (7) Kata dikaiosynēn...amemptos ("according to law-righteousness, blameless")—outwardly faultless law-keeping. Amemptos ("blameless") doesn't claim sinlessness but irreproachable external observance.

Paul's seven credentials (vv. 5-6) are structured: four by birth (ethnic/ritual), three by choice (sect/zeal/righteousness). He climaxed religious achievement. Yet vv. 7-8 declare it all worthless—shocking claim proving gospel's supremacy over works-righteousness.

Historical Context

Pharisees numbered ~6,000 in Jesus's day, obsessively devoted to oral law traditions (Josephus). Paul studied under Gamaliel, leading rabbi (Acts 22:3). His persecution of Christians demonstrated theological conviction: he viewed Christianity as heresy threatening Judaism. 'Blameless' doesn't mean perfect but scrupulous external observance—Pharisees parsed Mosaic minutiae (Matt 23:23). Paul achieved the Judaizers' ideal—and pronounced it worthless.

Questions for Reflection

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