Galatians 1:14

“And profited in the Jews' religion, etc..] Or “in Judaism”; and the more he did so, or was versed in, and wedded to their principles, the more violent a persecutor he was. He was under a very considerable master, Gamaliel, a Rabbi of great note among the Jews; and he himself a youth of uncommon natural abilities, so that his proficiency in Jewish learning was very great; even, as he says, above many my equals in mine own nation: not proselytes in other nations, but such as were natives of his own country: or were “in his own kindred”, his near relations, who were his contemporaries, of the same age with him; and very modestly he says “many”, not “all”: being more exceedingly zealous of the…”

“profited--Greek, "I was becoming a proficient"; "I made progress." above--beyond. my equals--Greek, "Of mine own age, among my countrymen." traditions of my fathers--namely, those of the Pharisees, Paul being "a Pharisee, and son of a Pharisee" (Act 23:6; Act 26:5). "MY fathers," shows that it is not to be understood generally of the traditions of the nation.”

“And profited - Made advances and attainments. Paul made advances not only in the knowledge of the Jewish religion, but he also surpassed others in his zeal in defending its interests. He had had better advantages than most of his countrymen; and by his great zeal and characteristic ardor he had been able to make higher attainments than most others had done. Above many my equals - Margin, Equal in years. This is the true sense of the original. It means that he surpassed those of the same age with himself. Possibly there may be a reference here to those of the same age who attended with him on the instructions of Gamaliel. Being more exceedingly zealous - More studious of; more ardently…”

“Being zealous of the unwritten traditions - Over and above those written in the law. Galatians 1:15”

“1:14 zeal for the traditions of my ancestors: Cp. Mark 7:6-13.”

“profited: Isa 29:13, Isa 57:12 equals: Gr. equals in years being: Act 22:3, Act 26:5, Act 26:9; Phi 3:4-6 traditions: Jer 15:2; Mat 15:2, Mat 15:3, Mat 15:6; Mar 7:3-13; Col 2:8; Pe1 1:8 Galatians 1:15”