What was Paul's manner of living before his conversion?
Before conversion, Paul lived in the Jews' religion as a religious Jew and persecutor. He beyond measure persecuted the assembly of God, or church, and wasted it—tearing them up, killing and imprisoning them, stopping anything concerning Jesus of Nazareth.
Les explains that Paul, in Galatians 1:13, recalls his past manner of living in the Jews' religion. At that time he was the persecutor, a religious Jew, who beyond measure persecuted the church, or assembly—the Greek word ekklesia—and wasted it. Les says Paul tore them up, killed them, imprisoned them, and did anything he could to stop anything concerning Jesus of Nazareth. This was his conduct in times past, before his conversion, before he received the gospel by revelation of Jesus Christ.
For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:
More Questions
What does Paul say about his past life in Galatians 1:13?
In Galatians 1:13 Paul recounts his former manner of living in the Jews' religion, which was his life as the persecutor.
What was Paul's life like before his conversion in the Jews' religion?
In times past Paul lived in the Jews' religion as a Pharisee and as a member of the Sanhedrin, and beyond measure he persecuted the church of God and wasted it.