Grandma Green used to say, “The cream always rises to the top!”
That’s true I guess, when one is churning better! Anyone remember those days?
But it is also true in human personality, human endeavor, in the character of a man or woman.
If that is so … Paul (really Saul of Tarsus back then) was “the best of the best” in nearly all he did!
Even as a lost man he could truthfully report: “And (I, Paul) profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.” Galatians 1:14, today’s Text.
Wow!
I love that first verb!
“Profited” translates the Greek “prokopto.” It’s a blend, with “kopto” meaning “to cut, strike, smite” something. And “pro” meaning “before” one’s face. In other words, “cutting a path in front of you!” Being a “leader!” Being a “trailblazer!” Way ahead of the pack!
Wow!
And here Paul uses this verb, builds it as an “imperfect indicative.” It’s both a “fact,” what he is saying … and it is an action that he has correctly reported as having happened in the past, but it is yet in effect. He is still cutting roads for others to follow!
The “Jews’ religion” is one Greek word, as Paul wrote it anyway. Spelled “Ioudaismos,” it translates something like this, “Judaism.” Proof that Paul, no matter what anyone says, departed from his former religion, when he got saved!
He is now a GRACE Preacher, not a LAW Preacher!
But Paul puts his Jewish religious history in perspective for us now. “I profited (excelled) in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation.” Above my “peers,” he is claiming! The noun “equals” is “sunelikiotes,” anyone “in my age group!” Anyone who would have been contemporary with the future Apostle! He outpaced them all! And he is telling us so!
Even to this extent: “I Paul being more exceedingly zealous” than they ever were! Here the phrase “more exceedingly zealous” combines an adverb and a noun to declare Paul’s supremacy in diligence, enthusiasm, work-ethic, and even vehemence! In pursuing his fathers’ religion!
Wow!
Almost an “overachiever!”
“Obsessed” with the things of the Law of Moses!
Why is Paul so uncharacteristically saying these things?
Because his Galatian Christians are being threatened at that very moment by men who were nearly as ardent followers of Judaism (the Law of Moses) as was Paul!
But Paul “saw the light!”
He turned from the deadness of the Law (apart from the Holy Spirit) and found Jesus Christ the Lord! Trusting Him as God’s Son, as personal Saviour!
Maybe these very strong words of Paul’s will “impact” the new Believers in the Galatians Churches! Talk some “sense” into their heads!
What did Paul so “love” about the Jews’ religion?
It’s their “traditions!”
Or so he says here. “Being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.” But, what are they, “traditions?”
The noun is “paradosis,” meaning “things that have been handed down” from generation to generation, fathers to sons, for centuries! Literally … things given you to keep with diligence, to place beside you all your life! Never to forsake!
This could include their view of the Scriptures, the Writings of Moses, the Law, the Pentateuch (Genesis through Deuteronomy). For that matter, the rest of the Old Testament as well. But with their slant on it!
Man’s view of what God says!
Then one day, Paul met Jesus!
Jesus who topped Moses by a million miles!
Jesus Who brought GRACE, whereas Moses only brought LAW!
And Paul “converted!”
John 1:17 factually preaches this: “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”
Hallelujah!
By the way, this nearly unparalleled “eagerness” Paul brought to his false religion … is certainly parallel to the “diligence” he brought to his new, better Jesus Religion!
He became an “achiever” for Jesus’ Sake!
An “outlier,” maybe the greatest Christian who has ever lived, to this point anyway!
That “on fire” for Jesus!
He could truthfully say: “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:20, Paul’s very life was “hid with Christ in God.” So he says in Colossians 3:3.
Amazing!
What a Christian, became Paul the Apostle!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell