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Selected Verse: Acts 26:5 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Ac 26:5	Strong Concordance	Which knew [4267] me [3165] from the beginning [509], if [1437] they would [2309] testify [3140], that [3754] after [2596] the most straitest [196] sect [139] of our [2251] religion [2356] I lived [2198] a Pharisee [5330].
	King James	Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
if they would--"were willing to" testify--but this, of course, they were not, it being a strong point in his favor. after the most straitest--"the strictest." sect--as the Pharisees confessedly were. This was said to meet the charge, that as a Hellenistic Jew he had contracted among the heathen lax ideas of Jewish peculiarities.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

if they would--"were willing to"

testify--but this, of course, they were not, it being a strong point in his favor.

after the most straitest--"the strictest."

sect--as the Pharisees confessedly were. This was said to meet the charge, that as a Hellenistic Jew he had contracted among the heathen lax ideas of Jewish peculiarities.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
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 Phi 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 Mat 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.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]

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 Phi 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 Mat 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.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
If they would testify - But they would not, for they well knew what weight his former life must add to his present testimony.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]

If they would testify - But they would not, for they well knew what weight his former life must add to his present testimony.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
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.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826

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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