… in regard to the law, a Pharisee;
Summary: Paul reminds us that he was a Pharisee before he met Jesus.
What does Paul mean by saying “in regard to the law, a Pharisee?” The answer, it turns out, requires that we understand the story behind the Pharisees.
The Pharisee’s story is a small part of the much bigger history of the Jews. Descended from Abraham and freed from Egypt by Moses, the Israelites had two major links to God. From Abraham, the Israelites received the promises of God made to Abraham. From Moses, the Israelites received the law and the early history of humanity.*
During Moses’ time, God also set aside the Levites as his own, a tribe dedicated to the service of the tabernacle. Later, after the time of the Judges, the Levites were called into the service of the first Temple by David and his son, Solomon.
The problem was that the leadership of Israel was human.
Corruption plagued the kings, from Solomon until the time of the Exile, when the Temple was destroyed. Yet God retained the hearts of some of his people (1 Kings 19:18). The fire of faith still burned among the Israelites, even in exile.
Without a temple, the Levites were merely Israelites once again. The study of ancient writings spread, and teachers of the law spread among the people. In the centuries before Jesus was born, these people formed a sect known as the Pharisees. The Pharisees studied the writings of Moses and saw hope there, hope for a Messiah.
The New Testament recounts many discussions and arguments between Jesus and the Pharisees, which might leave the impression that the Pharisees were Jesus’ enemies. Some, no doubt, were opposed to Jesus’ teachings, but some, like Nicodemus, were intrigued.
The Pharisees were the teachers of the people. They were the church leaders of Jesus’ day. Jesus came so that all might be saved (1 Timothy 2:3-5). Because of their faithfulness in studying the Scriptures and trying to get people to obey, the Pharisees were the point of the spear. Every discussion Jesus had with them highlighted an important point about true faith in God.
The people who actually called for Jesus’ death were the Sadducees. They were the ones who claimed the priesthood. The high priest, Caiaphas, would have been a Sadducee. It was he who said, “You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish” (John 11:50).
When Paul says he was a Pharisee, he is pointing to a common passion for truth among his brother Pharisees. Unfortunately, having a passion for the truth and knowing the truth are two different things. Thus, Paul now understands that being a Pharisee was of the flesh while true faith is of the Spirit.
Application: When it comes to the Pharisees, we should probably remember Jesus’ words, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged” (Matthew 7:1)
Food for Thought: How is the difference between Christian denominations today a reflection of the differences between people in Paul’s day?
*There are different ways of looking at this topic. Our view is that Moses learned about Adam and Eve directly from his conversations with God.
How is the difference between Christian denominations today a reflection of the differences between people in Paul’s day?
I’ll admit I needed to research this one a bit to really gather my thoughts.
Paul dealt with people of different cultural and ethnic backgrounds, who thus had diverse understandings of what it meant to be a Christian and how to live out a life of faith.
Paul consistently taught and reinforced that salvation was a gift of God’s grace through Christ, by belief in Jesus’s death and resurrection, and that redemption through Christ is transformative, from a life of sinful desire to a desire to serve Christ as our Lord. There was a large question among the early believers of the importance of and relationship of faith and works for a follower of Christ. Paul also had to deal with those that would use God’s grace as justification to continue in a life of sinful desire, embracing the grace but denying the obedience and transformation.
Paul also had to instruct on the structure of the Church, that Christ is the head, and thus what practices were essential to continued obedience within the Body and which were no longer necessary by Christ’s fulfillment of the law.
So to summarize:
Backgrounds that gave rise to diverse understanding of how to live a life of faith, the relationship between faith and works, the application of God’s grace on a believer’s life in Christ, and the authority of Christ on Church structure and practice.
I believe these are a reflection of the same differences, importance, and emphasis within Christian denominations today as were in Paul’s day.
Chris,
Thank you for wrestling with the question today. It is not an easy one to answer and I think you did a great job!
Great topic and great response Chris!
How is the difference between Christian denominations today a reflection of the differences between people in Paul’s day?
Time has changed, however the nature of mankind has not changed, and the truths in Gods Word remain as originally dictated and preserved by God, recorded and taught by men, to be applied by all.
John 16:7-11:
7 But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 about sin, because people do not believe in me; 10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer.
11 and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.
This world, all mankind, continues to be under conviction of the Advocate, the Holy Spirit of God. All mankind is being made aware of Gods truths, and are living according to their choices regarding these truths.
Many, will simply choose to alter Gods truths to fit their version of what they believe others should be taught. These variations may be minor or very extreme, and will only be seen as we compare their spoken words with Gods written Word, which makes our knowing and living in Gods Word critical if we have chosen life in obedience to His will over our own.
Some churches may simply pick and choose which parts they want to teach, and speed read over the portions they choose to ignore, or simply declare them to be written for a past time.
Our Sunday Church is a sacred calling. A time set aside for worship with other believers in our Lord. We should carry our bible, pen and paper to church, actively listen verify and take notes during the sermon. Listen and learn from the person we have chosen to teach us about God.
Thank you, Ron!
You point us to a critical feature of the Bible: It is like a contractor’s string line. Everything is measured from the straightness of the string.
I am very late to the party today. Great comments as usual. Thank you all.