<p>1:14- see on Mt. 15:2.</p><p><em>And I advanced in the Jews' religion beyond many of my own age among my fellow countrymen, being even more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers</em>- Paul could have been such a high flyer; he profited (materially, the Greek could imply) in the Jews' religion above any one else. But he resigned it all. He wrote some majestic words which ought to become the goal of every one of us: &quot;But what things were gain to me materially?, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss <em>for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord</em>: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I way win Christ&quot; (Phil. 3:7,8). As noted on :13, whilst not at all dodging his personal responsibility for his actions, he sees the murder and hatred towards Christians as the fruit of zeal for Judaism. The traditions of Paul's fathers cp. &quot;our fathers&quot; when referring to the patriarchs refers surely to Paul's rabbinic forefathers. Casuistic following of the implications of previous expositions and judgments of those who have gone before resulted in murder. This was the fruit of Judaism, and all belief systems are to be judged by their fruits.</p>