SEV Biblia, Chapter 26:5
los cuales tienen ya conocido que yo desde el principio, si quieren testificarlo, conforme a la ms perfecta secta de nuestra religin he vivido, fariseo.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Acts 26:5
Verse 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.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 5. Which knew me from the beginning , etc.] 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. (See Gill on Matthew 3:7). (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.)
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-11 - Christianity teaches us to give a reason of the hope that is in us, an also to give honour to whom honour is due, without flattery or fear of man. Agrippa was well versed in the Scriptures of the Old Testament therefore could the better judge as to the controversy about Jesu being the Messiah. Surely ministers may expect, when they preach the faith of Christ, to be heard patiently. Paul professes that he stil kept to all the good in which he was first educated and trained up. Se here what his religion was. He was a moralist, a man of virtue, and ha not learned the arts of the crafty, covetous Pharisees; he was no chargeable with any open vice and profaneness. He was sound in the faith. He always had a holy regard for the ancient promise made of God unto the fathers, and built his hope upon it. The apostle knew very well that all this would not justify him before God, yet he knew it wa for his reputation among the Jews, and an argument that he was not suc a man as they represented him to be. Though he counted this but loss that he might win Christ, yet he mentioned it when it might serve to honour Christ. See here what Paul's religion is; he has not such zea for the ceremonial law as he had in his youth; the sacrifices an offerings appointed by that, are done away by the great Sacrifice whic they typified. Of the ceremonial cleansings he makes no conscience, an thinks the Levitical priesthood is done away in the priesthood of Christ; but, as to the main principles of his religion, he is a zealous as ever. Christ and heaven, are the two great doctrines of the gospel; that God has given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. These are the matter of the promise made unto the fathers. The temple service, or continual course of religious duties, day and night was kept up as the profession of faith in the promise of eternal life and in expectation of it. The prospect of eternal life should engage u to be diligent and stedfast in all religious exercises. Yet the Sadducees hated Paul for preaching the resurrection; and the other Jew joined them, because he testified that Jesus was risen, and was the promised Redeemer of Israel. Many things are thought to be beyon belief, only because the infinite nature and perfections of Him tha has revealed, performed, or promised them, are overlooked. Pau acknowledged, that while he continued a Pharisee, he was a bitter enem to Christianity. This was his character and manner of life in the beginning of his time; and there was every thing to hinder his being Christian. Those who have been most strict in their conduct befor conversion, will afterwards see abundant reason for humblin themselves, even on account of things which they then thought ought to have been done.
Greek Textus Receptus
προγινωσκοντες 4267 5723 V-PAP-NPM με 3165 P-1AS ανωθεν 509 ADV εαν 1437 COND θελωσιν 2309 5725 V-PAS-3P μαρτυρειν 3140 5721 V-PAN οτι 3754 CONJ κατα 2596 PREP την 3588 T-ASF ακριβεστατην 196 A-ASF-S αιρεσιν 139 N-ASF της 3588 T-GSF ημετερας 2251 S-1GPF θρησκειας 2356 N-GSF εζησα 2198 5656 V-AAI-1S φαρισαιος 5330 N-NSM
Robertson's NT Word Studies
26:5 {Having knowledge of me from the first} (proginwskontes me anwqen). Literally, "knowing me beforehand" (both pro and anwqen), from the beginning of Paul's public education in Jerusalem (Knowling). Cf. #2Pe 3:17. {If they be willing to testify} (ean qelwsin 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} (ten akribestaten hairesin). this is a true superlative (not elative) and one of the three (also hagiwtatos, #Jude 1:20, timiwtatos #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} (qreskeias). From qreskeuw and this from qreskos (#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} (ezesa farisaios). 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.
