3:5
Paul now lists some of the qualifications he has for claiming to be a most Jewish Jew. First, he was circumcised on the eighth day, this was the commandment given to Abraham back in Gen 17:12. Paul was no Jewish proselyte, but a “pure” Jew. Benjamin was one of the “better” tribes in that they had stuck with Judah when the nation split in two, though the Benjaminites weren’t always perfect (Judges 20)! Paul knew the Law and adhered to it strictly, he was a committed Pharisee.
3:6
He also demonstrated great zeal. He had been active in persecuting the church. Indeed, on the day of his conversion he was on his way to Damascus to persecute a few more Christians. In terms of “righteousness based on the Law”, in Jewish terms, he met all the requirements (though not God’s requirements!).
In short, if Paul was to be judged as being a committed Jew no fault could be found in him, and he could out do any of his accusers for “Jewishness”. As it says in 3:5 he was “a Hebrew of Hebrews”.
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