What does Paul say about his past life in the Jews' religion before his conversion?
Paul states that in times past he lived in the Jews' religion, being a Pharisee of the Pharisees. He was high in Judaism, persecuted Jewish believers, voted to have them put to death or imprisoned, and beyond measure persecuted the assembly of God.
Les explains from verse 13 that Paul referred to his manner of living in times past and the Jews' religion. Paul was a Pharisee of the Pharisees, as he says in Philippians, and Les is positive he was a member of the Sanhedrin. Les suggests that as a Sanhedrin member he would have been a husband and father. In Acts 26, Les notes, when Jewish believers were brought before religious councils, Paul voted with others to have them put to death or thrown in prison. Thus he was high up in the echelons of Judaism at the time of Christ and the temple worship. Beyond measure—despicably—he persecuted and brought under pressure the assembly of God. Les uses “assembly” purposely because “Church” does not always mean the Body of Christ; the Greek word is Ekklesia.
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:
Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
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 the Jews' religion like when Paul practiced it before his conversion?
The Jews' religion, at the time Paul practiced it during Christ's earthly ministry and shortly after, was all it was — there was nothing of the power of God in it.