Matthew Poole and continuators on Philippians 3:6

6 Concerning zeal , persecuting the church : touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless .

Not lukewarm, but exceeding fervent in the strictest observances of the Pharisaic Order, which was much in external Devotion, Luk. 18.12. very soli[illegible: 1 letter]itous for Proselytes, Mat. 23.15, 25. Herein he was above his equals for years, being exceedingly zealous of the Traditions of the Fathers, Gal. 1.13. (and his zeal had been very commendable had it been in a good matter, Gal. 4.18.) that which the false Apostles contended much for.

Which he shewed all manner of ways in his rage against the Church of Christ, (conceived by the Pharisees to be opposite to the Law of Moses, Act. 9.1. & 22.3, 4. & 26.9, 10, 11, 12▪ Gal. 1.13.)

He rises higher yet in his personal Obedience; he might have been a Zealot in hi[illegible: 1 letter] Sect, and yet an Hypocrite, if not of a scandalous life; but it seems in the external observation of those things which the Ceremonial or Moral Law did prescribe, he was in the eye of Man, of a blameless conversation, resembling Zachariah and Elizabeth, Luk. 1.6. Men could not tax him, he had behaved himself so conscientiously, Act. 23.1. yet when he had his eyes opened, he found here was no such matter of confidence for him before God, 1 Sam. 16.7. 1 Cor. 4.4. This external performance he found when enlightned, was far short of internal and perfect obedience, Rom. 7.7. and therefore he saw it necessary to change the ground and foundation of his confidence, all that he before rested on unto Christ alone, 1 Cor. 3.11. 2 Cor. 5.17. not seeking to receive honour from Men, but that from Christ onely, Ioh. 5.44.

Marginal references: Act. 8.3.