Paul now gives a list of qualifications which make him truly a Jew. I was circumcised when I was a week old (literally, “as to the circumcision, on the eighth day”). This is in accordance with the provision of the Law (Gen 17.9-14; Lev 12.3) and indicates that he was from a family which was meticulous in its fulfillment of all prescribed duties. He was not a proselyte, a convert whose circumcision occurred after his conversion as an adult. In Jewish reckoning the day of one’s birth was counted as a full day; thus when I was a week old means “seven days after my birth.”
In languages in which the passive expression I was circumcised cannot be employed, it is often possible to use an indefinite third person plural subject, for example, “they circumcised me.” In some languages it is possible to translate circumcised in this kind of context as “cut off the foreskin.” If such vocabulary is regarded as vulgar or in bad taste, it may be better to say “made a cut upon me.” In some languages translators simply borrow an expression meaning “cut around” without indicating specifically what part of the body is involved. A precise explanation can be given in a glossary, thus avoiding in the text terms which might be offensive, especially in the public reading of the Scriptures.
I am an Israelite by birth (literally, “out of the race of Israel”) indicates that Paul possessed by birth all the privileges of the chosen people. Israel is the covenant name of the people of God (Rom 9.4; 11.1; 2 Cor 11.22). I am an Israelite by birth may be expressed as “I have been an Israelite from the time I was born,” but it would be more natural in many languages to say “both my parents were Israelites.”
Paul claims adherence to the tribe of Benjamin, a tribe regarded with particular esteem (Judges 5.14; Hos 5.8). The Benjamites had given the nation its first lawful king, whose name was Saul, the same as the apostle’s original Hebrew name. Except for David’s own tribe of Judah, the tribe of Benjamin alone remained loyal to the house of David after the disruption of the monarchy (1 Kgs 12.21). It also had the unique privilege of having within its borders the Holy City of Jerusalem and the Temple (Judges 1.21). Although of the tribe of Benjamin is a reference specifically to Paul, in many languages it would be more natural to speak of the parents of Paul as belonging to the tribe of Benjamin. This would assure Paul’s membership in the same tribe.
A pure-blooded Hebrew is literally “a Hebrew of Hebrews” (Jerusalem Bible “a Hebrew born of Hebrew parents”). There was no heathen blood in him. In the Old Testament the word “Hebrew” is a distinctive national term; while in the New Testament it usually designates the Jew who retained his national language and way of life, in contrast to the “Hellenist,” a Jew who generally spoke Greek and conformed to Gentile customs and cultures (Acts 6.1; 22.2). Thus the “Hebrew” regarded himself as belonging to the elite of his race. A pure-blooded Hebrew can be best expressed in some languages as “my forefathers were all Hebrews,” or “my lineage has always been Hebrew.”
Thus far Paul has listed his inherited privileges. Now he proceeds to mention his personal attainments.
He says, literally, “with reference to the Law, a Pharisee,” The Pharisees were the strictest sect in Judaism, taking upon themselves the sacred duty of keeping and defending both the Mosaic Law and the tradition of the fathers. Paul’s statement can be rendered more explicitly as far as keeping the Jewish Law is concerned, I was a Pharisee. Notice that, instead of the more restricted term “Mosaic Law,” Good News Translation has Jewish Law (so also Barclay). This term is more inclusive, since it covers the twofold duties of keeping the Mosaic Law and the interpretive traditions of the scribes. In saying I was a Pharisee, Paul claims faithfulness and sincerity in fulfilling the duties prescribed in the Jewish Law. For him Pharisee is not a name for reproach, but a title of honor (Acts 23.6; 26.5).
As far as keeping the Jewish Law is concerned may be expressed as “in my keeping the Jewish Law,” Or one can shift the relation between the clauses in the final sentence and say “I kept the Jewish Law as a Pharisee.” In a number of languages, however, one cannot speak of “keeping the Law” except in the sense of preserving a book of the Law in one’s house. What is meant here, of course, is that Paul faithfully obeyed all the commandments in the Law. Therefore one may translate as “I did everything that the Jewish Law said I should do.” The phrase the Jewish Law may be translated as “the Law which the Jews followed,” or “the laws which the Jews obeyed,” or “… were supposed to obey.”
Quoted with permission from Luo, I-Jin. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Philippians. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1977. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .