ISB ~ Philippians 3 v6

zeal:Sometimes expressed through violent action in the OT. Ancient defenders of Israel like Phinehas and the Maccabees were revered for their commitment to this philosophy (Num 25:6-13; Sir 45:23; 1 Mac 2:23-26; 3:8). Paul’s zeal as a Pharisee was unleashed on the early Christians, whom he persecuted as traitors to the hopes and ideals of Judaism (Acts 8:3; 1 Cor 15:9; Gal 1:13). After his conversion, he realized this zeal was tragically unenlightened (Rom 10:2).

blameless:Faultless in his outward commitment to the Jewish way of life (Lk 1:6). God asked this of Abraham in his preface to the covenant of circumcision (Gen 17:1).

• Paul could have fulfilled the Law outwardly, for fear of punishment, and still transgressed the Law inwardly through evil desire (St. Augustine, Answer to Two Pelagian Letters 1, 15). The apostle lived innocently according to the external righteousness of the Law, not according to the righteousness of faith, which pertains to the heart and makes a man pure (St. Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on Philippians 3, 1).