| Geneva Study Bible {7} For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: (7) He proves that he was extraordinarily taught by Christ himself, by this history of his former life, which the Galatians themselves knew well enough. For, he says, it is well known in what school I was brought up, even from my childhood, that is, among the deadly enemies of the Gospel. And no man may raise a frivolous objection and say that I was a scholar of the Pharisees in name only, and not in deed, for no man is ignorant of how I excelled in Pharisaism, and was suddenly changed from a Pharisee to an apostle of the Gentiles, so that I had no time to be instructed by men. People's New Testament 1:13 Ye have heard of my conversation in time past. Of my manner of life (Revised Version). While he was still a Jew. In order to show that his gospel did not come from man, he cites his history, of which they knew something. I persecuted the church of God. See Ac 9:21. He made a determined effort to destroy Christianity. Compare Ac 22:4 26:10,11. Wesley's Notes 1:13 I Persecuted the church of God - That is, the believers in Christ. Scofield Reference Notes [1] Jews' religion The new dispensation of grace having come in, the Mosaic system, if still persisted in, becomes a mere "Jews' religion." Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary 13. heard-even before I came among you. conversation-"my former way of life." Jews' religion-The term, "Hebrew," expresses the language; "Jew," the nationality, as distinguished from the Gentiles; "Israelite," the highest title, the religious privileges, as a member of the theocracy. the church-Here singular, marking its unity, though constituted of many particular churches, under the one Head, Christ. of God-added to mark the greatness of his sinful alienation from God (1Co 15:19). wasted-laid it waste: the opposite of "building it up." Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 1:10-14 In preaching the gospel, the apostle sought to bring persons to the obedience, not of men, but of God. But Paul would not attempt to alter the doctrine of Christ, either to gain their favour, or to avoid their fury. In so important a matter we must not fear the frowns of men, nor seek their favour, by using words of men's wisdom. Concerning the manner wherein he received the gospel, he had it by revelation from Heaven. He was not led to Christianity, as many are, merely by education. | 
