Philippians 3:6– Almost perfect

…in relation to zeal, persecuting the ecclesia, in relation to the righteousness which is in law, becoming blameless.

In the enumeration of reasons for boasting in the flesh, the last (seventh!) reason is undoubtedly the climax. According to the required righteousness of which the law speaks, Saul became blameless. Most translations read or suggest that Paul was blameless . However, he does not use the verb ’to be’ here, but ‘become’. The Concordant Version therefore reads here: becoming blameless . So the idea is not that Paul thought he had already reached this state, but that he was on his way there.

This is the account of a man who, with all his efforts, was, in the opinion of others, virtually incorruptible. With great zeal he had tried his best to reach the state of perfection and almost (!) he had reached it. This is the testimony of a man who knew from years of experience what it is to strive for glory in the flesh. But also someone who had advanced more in this than all his opponents.

However, Paul does not give this list to impress. On the contrary, as an expert by experience, he wants to make it clear that the path of relying on flesh is a dead end . And that is (yes!) good news after all …!

Delen: