Galatians 1:14
And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.
Galatians 1:14 in other translations
| BSB | I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers. |
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| WEB | I advanced in the Jews’ religion beyond many of my own age among my countrymen, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers. |
| ASV | and I advanced in the Jews’ religion beyond many of mine own age among my countrymen, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers. |
| YLT | and I was advancing in Judaism above many equals in age in mine own race, being more abundantly zealous of my fathers' deliverances, |
| DARBY | and advanced in Judaism beyond many my contemporaries in my nation, being exceedingly zealous of the doctrines of my fathers. |
| BBE | And I went farther in the Jews' religion than a number of my generation among my countrymen, having a more burning interest in the beliefs handed down from my fathers. |
| Webster | And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. |
What does Galatians 1:14 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain
Barnes' Notes
Above many my equals. Marg. equals in years. This is the true sense of the original. It means that he surpassed those of the same age with himself. Possibly there may be a reference here to those of the same age who attended with him on the instructions of Gamaliel.
Being more exceedingly zealous. More studious of; more ardently attached to them; more anxious to distinguish himself in attainments in the religion in which he was brought up. All this is fully sustained by all that we know of the character of Paul, as at all times a man of singular and eminent zeal in all that he undertook.
Of the traditions of my fathers. Of the traditions of the Jews. Mt 15:2. A large part of the doctrines of the Pharisees depended on mere tradition; and Paul doubtless made this a special matter of study, and was particularly tenacious in regard to it. It was to be learned, from the very nature of it, only by oral teaching, as there is no evidence that it was then recorded. Subsequently these traditions were recorded in the Mishna, and are found in the Jewish writings. But in the time of Paul they were to be learned as they were handed down from one to another; and hence the utmost diligence was requisite to obtain a knowledge of them. Paul does not here say that he was zealous then for the practice of the new religion, nor for the study of the Bible. His object in going to Jerusalem, and studying at the feet of Gamaliel, was doubtless to obtain a knowledge of the traditions of the sect of the Pharisees. Had he been studying the Bible all that time, he would have kept from the fiery zeal which he evinced in persecuting the church, and would, if he had studied it right, have been saved from much trouble of conscience afterwards.
(|) "profited" "Made a proficiency" (1) "my equals" "equals in years" (d) "being more exceedingly zealous" Acts 22:3, Php 3:6 (e) "traditions" Mk 7:5-13
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Galatians 1:10-14
In preaching the gospel, the apostle sought to bring persons to the obedience, not of men, but of God. But Paul would not attempt to alter the doctrine of Christ, either to gain their favour, or to avoid their fury. In so important a matter we must not fear the frowns of men, nor seek their favour, by using words of men's wisdom. Concerning the manner wherein he received the gospel, he had it by revelation from…
Galatians 1:14 in the original Greek
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Cross references for Galatians 1:14
- Colossians 2:8
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
- Acts 26:5
Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.
- Acts 22:3
I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.
- Philippians 3:4-6
Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: 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; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
- Matthew 15:6
And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.
- Jeremiah 9:14
But have walked after the imagination of their own heart, and after Baalim, which their fathers taught them:
- 1 Peter 1:8
Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
- Acts 26:9
I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
- Matthew 15:2-3
Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?
- Mark 7:3-13
For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders. And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables. Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands? He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. …
- Isaiah 57:12
I will declare thy righteousness, and thy works; for they shall not profit thee.
- Isaiah 29:13
Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:
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Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Context
- Galatians 1:13
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:
- Galatians 1:14
And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.
- Galatians 1:15
But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace,
Galatians 1:14 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Y aprovechaba en el Judaismo sobre muchos de mis iguales en mi nación, siendo muy más celador que todos de las tradiciones de mis padres. |
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| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | et comment j’avançais dans le judaïsme plus que plusieurs de ceux de mon âge dans ma nation, étant le plus ardent zélateur des traditions de mes pères. |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | und in dem Judentum zunahm über viele Altersgenossen in meinem Geschlecht, indem ich übermäßig ein Eiferer für meine väterlichen Überlieferungen war. |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | et proficiebam in Judaismo supra multos coætaneos meos in genere meo, abundantius æmulator existens paternarum mearum traditionum. |