{Having knowledge of me from the first} (progin(9373)kontes me
an(9374)hen). Literally, "knowing me beforehand" (both pro and
an(9374)hen), from the beginning of Paul's public education in
Jerusalem (Knowling). Cf. 2Pe 3:17 . {If they be willing to
testify} (ean thel(9373)in 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} ( (886e) akribestat(886e)
hairesin). This is a true superlative (not elative) and one of
the three (also hagi(9374)atos, Jude 1:20 , imi(9374)atos Re
18:12 21:11 ) superlatives in -tatos in the N.T. (Robertson,
_Grammar_, pp. 279f., 670), though common enough in the LXX and
the papyri. Hairesin (choosing) is properly used here with
Pharisees (Josephus, _Life_, 38). {Religion} ( hr(8873)keias). From
hr(8873)keu(935c) and this from hr(8873)kos ( Jas 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, Jas
1:26f. Col 2:18 . {I lived a Pharisee} (ez(8873)a Pharisaios).
Emphatic position. Paul knew the rules of the Pharisees and
played the game to the full ( Ga 1:14 Php 3:5f. ). 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.
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