What was the Jews' religion like when Paul practiced it?
When Paul practiced the Jews’ religion, it was a man-made system of efforts to appease a holy God and merit His favor, not a manifestation of God’s power. At the time of Christ’s earthly ministry and shortly after, it consisted only of human religious effort, with nothing of the power of God in it.
Les teaches that religion is always a compilation of the efforts of man to somehow appease a Holy God. He applies this broadly to Judaism as well as to other religious systems, saying religion is what man attempts to do to merit favor with God. Regarding the Jews’ religion at the time Paul practiced it, during Christ’s earthly ministry and shortly after, Les explains that this is all it was: there was nothing of the power of God in it. Paul describes his former manner of living or lifestyle as being in the Jews’ religion.
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:
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 it mean that Paul profited in the Jews' religion?
Paul's profiting in verse 14 means he was more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of his fathers, that is, Judaism and its religion.
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.