Commentaries:Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
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Acts 26:5
Having knowledge of me from the first (proginwskontev me anwqen). Literally, "knowing me beforehand" (both pro and anwqen), from the beginning of Paul's public education in Jerusalem (Knowling). Cf. II Peter 3:17.
If they be willing to testify (ean qelwsin marturein). Condition of third class (ean and subjunctive). A neat turning of the tables on the distinguished audience about Paul's Jerusalem reputation before his conversion.
After the straitest sect (thn akribestathn airesin). This is a true superlative (not elative) and one of the three (also agiwtatov, Judges 1:20, timiwtatov Revelation 18:12; Revelation 21:11) superlatives in -tatov in the N.T. (Robertson, Grammar, pp. 279f., 670), though common enough in the LXX and the papyri. airesin (choosing) is properly used here with Pharisees (Josephus, Life, 38).
Religion (qrhskeiav). From qrhskeuw and this from qrhskov (James 1:26), old word for religious worship or discipline, common in the papyri and inscriptions (Moulton and Milligan's Vocabulary) for reverent worship, not mere external ritual. In N.T. only here, James 1:26 f.; Colossians 2:18.
I lived a Pharisee (ezhsa Farisaiov). Emphatic position. Paul knew the rules of the Pharisees and played the game to the full (Galatians 1:14; Philippians 3:5 f.). The Talmud makes it plain what the life of a Pharisee was. Paul had become one of the leaders and stars of hope for his sect.
Other Robertson's Word Pictures (NT) entries containing Acts 26:5:
Acts 5:17
Acts 22:3
Romans 8:29
2 Timothy 1:3
James 1:26
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