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"Though I also might have confidence in the flesh..."

Text: Philippians 3:4

A PERSONAL TESTIMONY

If anyone had the right to feel confident because of his Jewish heritage then Paul would have been an ideal example. In the following text Paul highlighted the things that the Judaizers emphasised.

“Though I also might have confidence in the flesh.
If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so:
circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel,
of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews;
concerning the law, a Pharisee;
concerning zeal, persecuting the church;
concerning righteousness which is by the law, blameless.”

Philippians 3:4-6

1. “Confidence in the flesh”

a) According to the Judaizers.

b) Paul offers his life as an example.

2. Features highlighted

a) Circumcision is a must.

b) Jewish ancestry was an asset.

c) Concerning sectarian belief and practices.

i) There were several that were accepted.

ii) The Pharisees was an accepted sect.

iiii) They kept the law most stringently.

d) Concerning zeal.

i) Zeal for God (Judaism) must be displayed.

ii) Paul was most zealous for his religious beliefs.

iii) He persecuted the church.

e) Concerning righteousness

i) Strict codes of behaviour were devised.

ii) Believers of the sect of the Pharisees were measured by these codes.

iii) The goal was to be “blameless”.

iv) Paul had assiduously kept their code of righteousness.

v) Paul was “blameless” because he was able to keep the code of conduct of the Pharisees.