11 - Paul’s Jewish presuppositions
from Part III - Paul’s theology
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 28 May 2006
Summary
METHODOLOGICAL PRESUPPOSITIONS
Despite the objections of a small but vocal minority, it seems certain that Paul was not only Jewish but also a Pharisee, just as he himself claims:
If any other man thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; as to the law a Pharisee, as to zeal a persecutor of the church, as to righteousness under the law blameless. But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as refuse, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own, based on law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith; that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that if possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
(Phil. 3:4b-11)Paul tells us himself that he was a Pharisee and that in his previous, pre-Christian life being a Pharisee was a prestigious attainment, which gave him the respect of his brothers in faith. He also says that he was a zealous Pharisee, pursuing or even persecuting the early Christian church, and that while he was a Pharisee, he felt himself to be blameless and righteous.
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- The Cambridge Companion to St Paul , pp. 159 - 172Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2003
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