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Mace New Testament

Acts 26:5

they can testify, if they will, that I early profess'd myself a Pharisee, a member of the most rigorous sect of our religion:

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Court;   Defense;   Obedience;   Paul;   Pharisees;   Zeal, Religious;   Scofield Reference Index - Foreknowledge;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Jews, the;   Pharisees, the;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Pharisees;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Paul;   Pharisees;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Paul the Apostle;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Ordination;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Pharisees;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Paul;   Religion;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Acts;   Heresy;   Oration, Orator;   Paul;   Preaching in the Bible;   Religion;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Caesarea;   Damascus;   Heresy;   Nero;   Paul the Apostle;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Damascus, Damascenes;   Foreknowledge;   Heresy ;   Herod;   Libertines;   Paul;   Perfect Perfection;   Religion;   Religion (2);   Reverence;   Unity (2);   Woe;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Heresy, Heretic;   Herod, Family of;   Religion, Religious;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Festus;   Heresy;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Pharisees;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Heresy;   Religion;   Sect;   Strait;  

Devotionals:

- Every Day Light - Devotion for December 15;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
They have known me for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived as a Pharisee.
King James Version (1611)
Which knew me from the beginning, (if they would testifie) that after the most straitest sect of our religion, I liued a Pharisee.
King James Version
Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.
English Standard Version
They have known for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest party of our religion I have lived as a Pharisee.
New American Standard Bible
since they have known about me for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that I lived as a Pharisee according to the strictest sect of our religion.
New Century Version
They have known me for a long time. If they want to, they can tell you that I was a good Pharisee. And the Pharisees obey the laws of my tradition more carefully than any other group.
Amplified Bible
"They have known me for a long time, if they are willing to testify to it, that according to the strictest sect of our religion, I have lived as a Pharisee.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
since they have known about me for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that I lived as a Pharisee according to the strictest sect of our religion.
Legacy Standard Bible
since they have known about me for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that I lived as a Pharisee according to the strictest sect of our religion.
Berean Standard Bible
They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that I lived as a Pharisee, adhering to the strictest sect of our religion.
Complete Jewish Bible
They have known me for a long time; and if they are willing, they can testify that I have followed the strictest party in our religion — that is, I have lived as a Parush.
Darby Translation
who knew me before from the outset [of my life], if they would bear witness, that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.
Easy-to-Read Version
These Jews have known me for a long time. If they want to, they can tell you that I was a good Pharisee. And the Pharisees obey the laws of the Jewish religion more carefully than any other group.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Which knewe me heretofore, euen from my elders (if they would testifie) that after the most straite sect of our religion I liued a Pharise.
George Lamsa Translation
For they have been acquainted with me a long time, and know that I was brought up with the excellent doctrine of the Phar''i-sees.
Good News Translation
They have always known, if they are willing to testify, that from the very first I have lived as a member of the strictest party of our religion, the Pharisees.
Lexham English Bible
having known me for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that in accordance with the strictest party of our religion I lived as a Pharisee.
Literal Translation
who before knew me from the first, if they will testify, that according to the most exact sect of our religion, I lived a Pharisee.
American Standard Version
having knowledge of me from the first, if they be willing to testify, that after the straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.
Bible in Basic English
And they are able to say, if they would give witness, that I was living as a Pharisee, in that division of our religion which is most regular in the keeping of the law.
Hebrew Names Version
having known me from the first, if they are willing to testify, that after the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Parush.
International Standard Version
They have known for a long time, if they would but testify to it, that I lived as a Pharisee by the standard of the strictest sect of our religion.Acts 22:3; 23:6; Philippians 3:5;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
because they of a long time were assured of me, and they know that in the high doctrine of the Pharishee I lived.
Murdock Translation
For they have long been persuaded of me, and have known, that I lived in the princely doctrine of the Pharisees.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Which knewe me from the beginning, (yf they woulde testifie) that after the most straytest sect of our religion, I lyued a pharisee.
English Revised Version
having knowledge of me from the first, if they be willing to testify, how that after the straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.
World English Bible
having known me from the first, if they are willing to testify, that after the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
all the Jews know, Who knew me from the first, (if they would testify) that I lived a Pharisee, after the strictest sect of our religion.
Weymouth's New Testament
For they all know me of old--if they would but testify to the fact--how, being an adherent of the strictest sect of our religion, my life was that of a Pharisee.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
if thei wolen bere witnessing, that bi the moost certeyn sect of oure religioun, Y lyuede a Farisee.
Update Bible Version
having knowledge of me from the first, if they are willing to testify, that after the straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.
Webster's Bible Translation
Who knew me from the beginning, (if they would testify) that after the strictest sect of our religion, I lived a Pharisee.
New English Translation
They know, because they have known me from time past, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest party of our religion, I lived as a Pharisee.
New King James Version
They knew me from the first, if they were willing to testify, that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.
New Living Translation
If they would admit it, they know that I have been a member of the Pharisees, the strictest sect of our religion.
New Life Bible
If they would tell what they know, they would say that I lived the life of a proud religious law-keeper. I was in the group of proud religious law-keepers who tried to obey every law.
New Revised Standard
They have known for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that I have belonged to the strictest sect of our religion and lived as a Pharisee.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
inasmuch as they were aforetime observing me, from the outset, - if they please to bear witness, - that, according to the strictest sect of our own religion, I lived, a Pharisee.
Douay-Rheims Bible
Having known me from the beginning (if they will give testimony) that according to the most sure sect of our religion I lived, a Pharisee.
Revised Standard Version
They have known for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest party of our religion I have lived as a Pharisee.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
which knew me from ye beginnynge yf they wolde testifie it. For after the most straytest secte of oure laye lyved I a pharisaye.
Young's Literal Translation
knowing me before from the first, (if they may be willing to testify,) that after the most exact sect of our worship, I lived a Pharisee;
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
which knewe me afore at the first, yf they wolde testifye, for after the most strayte secte of oure Iewysh lawe, I lyued a Pharise.
Simplified Cowboy Version
I am no stranger to anyone. They all know I followed the Code to a T. I am a Pharisee through and through.

Contextual Overview

1 Then Agrippa said to Paul, you are at liberty to make your defence. upon which Paul disengaging his hand from his cloak, thus made his plea. 2 I think myself happy, king Agrippa, in having this opportunity of vindicating myself in your presence, from every thing the Jews have laid to my charge: 3 for I know you are fully acquainted with the Jewish customs and controversies: and therefore I beg the indulgence of your attention. 4 what course of life I led at Jerusalem, where I was brought up from my youth among those of my own nation, is known to all the Jews. 5 they can testify, if they will, that I early profess'd myself a Pharisee, a member of the most rigorous sect of our religion: 6 and now I stand arraign'd for expecting the accomplishment of the divine promise made to our fathers, 7 which our twelve tribes by their continual services, night and day, hope themselves to obtain: yet for that hope, king Agrippa, do the Jews now accuse me. 8 you may think it something incredible that God should raise the dead: 9 I myself too once thought myself oblig'd strenuously to oppose the professors of Jesus the Nazarene, as I actually did at Jerusalem, 10 where numbers of converts I threw into jail, by warrant from the high priests: and when they were put to death, I myself was an accomplice.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

if: Acts 22:5

that: Acts 23:6, Philippians 3:5, Philippians 3:6

sect: Acts 24:5, Acts 24:14

Reciprocal: Matthew 3:7 - the Pharisees Luke 18:10 - a Pharisee John 1:24 - were of Acts 15:5 - certain Acts 22:3 - taught Acts 28:22 - sect 1 Corinthians 11:19 - heresies Galatians 1:13 - ye Galatians 1:14 - being

Cross-References

Matthew 5:19
whoever therefore shall break any commandment, tho' of the least importance, and shall teach men so to do, shall not have the least admittance into the kingdom of the Messias: but whoever shall do and teach them, he shall be great in the kingdom of the Messias.
Matthew 7:24
therefore, whoever heareth these instructions of mine, and puts them in practice, I will compare him to the prudent man, who built his house upon a rock:
1 Corinthians 15:58
therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye inflexibly steady, and continually surpass others in the work of the Lord, knowing that he will not leave your christian labour unrewarded.
Galatians 5:6
for in the christian-dispensation, neither circumcision avails any thing, nor uncircumcision, but an active benevolent faith.
Hebrews 11:8
'Twas by faith that he who was named Abraham, showed his obedience in travelling to a foreign country, which he was afterwards to inherit; and began his journey without knowing where he was going.
James 2:21
was not our father Abraham treated as just, in consequence of his actions, when he had attempted to sacrifice his son upon the altar?

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Which knew me from the beginning,.... From his youth, from his first coming to Jerusalem:

if they would testify; what they know, and speak out the truth of things, they must say,

that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee; there were three sects of religion among the Jews, the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes; the first of these was the most exact, and came nearest to the truth of doctrine, and was the strictest as to outward holiness of life and conversation, and of this sect the apostle was; and according to it he lived, and that in such a manner, as not to be charged with any notorious crime; and indeed in his own, and very likely in the opinion of others, he was then blameless. :-.

(Essenes: A Jewish sect, who, according to the description of Josephus, combine the ascetic virtues of the Pythagoreans and the Stoics with a spiritual knowledge of the divine law. It seems probable that the same name signifies "seer", or "the silent, the mysterious". As a sect the Essenes were distinguished by an aspiration after the ideal purity rather than by any special code of doctrines. There were isolated communities of the Essenes, which were regulated by strict rules, and analogous to those of the monastic institutions of a later date. All things were held in common, without distinction of property; and special provision was made for the relief of the poor. Self-denial, temperance and labour--especially agricultural--were the marks of the outward life of the Essenes; purity and divine communication the objects of aspiration. Slavery, war and commerce were alike forbidden. Their best known settlements were on the north west shore of the Dead Sea. J.B. Smith one volume Bible Dictionary.)

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Which knew me - Who were well acquainted with me.

From the beginning - ἄνωθεν anōthen. Formerly; or from the very commencement of my career. Who were perfectly apprised of my whole course.

If they would testify - If they would bear witness to what they know.

That after the most straitest - The most rigid; the most strict, not only in regard to the written Law of God, but to the traditions of the elders. Paul himself elsewhere testifies Philippians 3:4-6 that he had enjoyed all the advantages of birth and training in the Jewish religion, and that he had early distinguished himself by his observance of its rites and customs.

Sect - Division or party.

I lived a Pharisee - I lived in accordance with the rules and doctrines of the Pharisees. See the notes on Matthew 3:7. The reasons why Paul here refers to his early life are:

(1) As he had lived during the early period of his life without crime; as his principles had been settled by the instruction of the most able of their teachers, it was to be presumed that his subsequent life had been of a similar character.

(2) As he, at that period of his life, evinced the utmost zeal for the laws and customs of his country, it was to be presumed that he would not be found opposing or reviling them at any subsequent period. From the strictness and conscientiousness of his past life, he supposed that Agrippa might argue favorably respecting his subsequent conduct. A virtuous and religious course in early life is usually a sure pledge of virtue and integrity in subsequent years.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Acts 26:5. After the most straitest sect — That is, the Pharisees; who were reputed the strictest in their doctrines, and in their moral practices, of all the sects then among the Jews. The sects were the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes.


 
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