Richard Sibbes on Philippians 3:5

VERS. 5. Of the stocke of Israel. IAcob had his name changed of his wrestling with the Angell, and prevailed: St. Paul sayes, he was of that stocke of Israel that prevailed with God.

VERS. 5. Of the Tribe of Benjamin. THere were two Tribes of especiall credit: Iuda and Benjamin, they were Kingly Tribes. Benjamin was honoured with the first King, Saul the sonne of Kish, who though he were a cast-away, yet its a matter of great joy in the flesh, to have great men, personages, and learned men of their linage.

VERS. 5. An Hebrew of the Hebrewes. MOre ancient than an Israelite: for Abraham was an Hebrew, before Iacob was an Israelite: and he was an Hebrew borne, no proselyte, or converted Iew.

VERS. 5. As touching the Law, a Pharisee. BEfore Christs time, there were divers sects among the Iewes; as Pharisees, Scribes, Herodians, and Essaei; but the Pharisees were the greatest sect of all: and as the word signifies, so they did separate themselves as better than other Iewes whatsoever. And St. Paul layes downe this, as one especiall carnall thing, wherein hee might glory; hee was no common Iew, but a zealous Iew: so as thence we may observe: That there is a fire and zeale that is not kindled by heaven: but, as St. Iames saith of the tongue, is set on fire of hell, out of ignorance, blind zeale therefore is a ground of destruction: we are therefore to take heed; for unlesse our zeale have an eye, nothing is more tempestuous and troublesome, than that man is whom it possesses.