How did religious leaders in Paul's day profit from their position?
Religious leaders in Paul’s day profited monetarily by capitalizing on their religious position. Paul himself says he profited in the Jews’ religion above many equals, meaning he gained financially through his standing as a Pharisee and Sanhedrin member. The high priest Caiaphas’s sumptuous house illustrates such wealth.
Les explains that Paul, writing by inspiration, says he profited in the Jews’ religion above many of his equals, and the only way to profit is monetarily. Les points to the archaeological dig of the ancient house of Caiaphas the high priest, describing it as sumptuous with umpteen bathrooms, showing those people capitalized on their religious position, and Paul did too. In contrast, as apostle and preacher of the age of grace, Paul would do the opposite and not let anyone accuse him of getting rich by his ministry, unlike much of what we see today.
And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.
More Questions
What does Paul mean when he says he profited in the Jews' religion?
When Paul says he 'profited' in the Jews' religion, he means monetary profit — he profited financially above many of his equals.
Why did Paul say he profited in the Jews' religion?
Paul says he was profiting in the Jews' religion because it was a bad, corrupt system.