Acts 26:5
What does Acts 26:5 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 26:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 26:5 means
Paul states that from the beginning he lived as a Pharisee, the strictest expression of Jewish religion. He is not boasting of self-righteousness but showing that his convictions were formed within the most rigorous stream of Judaism. This proves he took Scripture seriously and guarded tradition carefully. Such a man would not lightly abandon those convictions unless compelled by truth. If former peers admit this, it validates that Paul’s change came from revelation, not fickleness. The Pharisaic hope included resurrection; thus Paul’s current belief in the risen Jesus is consistent with that hope, not a betrayal of it. Christ fulfills, not overturns, what the Scriptures foretold.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000having knowledge of me from the first, if they be willing to testify, that after the straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901having knowledge of me from the first, if they be willing to testify, that after the straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And 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.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862knowing 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;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Having known me from the beginning (if they will give testimony) that according to the most sure sect of our religion I lived, a Pharisee.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890who 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.
Context
This statement concludes Paul’s autobiographical credentials begun in verse 4. By identifying as a Pharisee, he connects his past to the key theological issue he will raise—the hope of resurrection. Immediately in verses 6–8 he will link his trial to the promise made to the fathers. The flow is deliberate: public life (v.4), strict sect (v.5), shared hope (vv.6–7), challenge about resurrection (v.8). Paul’s strategy shows continuity from Pharisaic expectation to Christian fulfillment in Christ.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 22:5
As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and journeyed to Damascus to bring them also that were there unto Jerusalem in bonds to be punished.
- Acts 23:6
But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Brethren, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees: touching the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.
- Philippians 3:5
circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
- Acts 24:14
But this I confess unto thee, that after the Way which they call a sect, so serve I the God of our fathers, believing all things which are according to the law, and which are written in the prophets;
- Acts 24:5
For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of insurrections among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:
- Acts 22:3
I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, at the feet of Gamaliel, instructed according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God, even as ye all are this day:
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