Philippians 3:4-6

though I myself have reasons for such confidence.

If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee;

(v4-5, NIV)

Many people boast in their flesh. However, Paul is challenging all who wish to boast in their flesh. He lays out his credentials proving to others that he has more boast in than anyone else. If anyone should boast in their flesh, Paul should be first. He has much to boast about in his flesh from a human perspective.

His birth and background are noteworthy. He begins by listing things that are outside of his control that are things he could put confidence in. He was circumcised on the eight day. This was a Jewish tradition and his parents did not drop the ball on this matter. Apparently, many Jews held this in high regard. This may have been considered as a requirement for salvation to some. This false teaching crept into the minds even of Christians who were Jewish converts. Fortunately, Paul addresses this issue many times to deal with this false teaching.

Paul is also of the tribe of Benjamin. Benjamin was the youngest son of Jacob. Jacob had 12 sons, but only two of them were born to him by his favorite wife Rachel. If you didn't know, he had two wives and the other wife was named Leah. The first son born to him by Rachel was Joseph. From the tribe of Benjamin came the Saul, the first king. Interestingly, Paul's original name was Saul, probably named after Saul the first king.

To sum up his background credentials, he explains himself as a Hebrew of Hebrews. He clearly has the circumcision thing down. In addition, he is of the tribe of Benjamin, also proving that he is of the people of Israel. He is a Hebrew born of true Hebrew stock.

Paul was also a Pharisee. These people were regarded as the Jewish elite. These were the chief law keepers. Though the gospels paint Pharisees in a poor light, the original purpose was "good". These people desired to draw near to God by keeping God's laws. Unfortunately, they lost sight of their heart and purpose and thus became hypocrites. Regardless, as a Pharisee, he would have been highly regarded in their eyes.

as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.

(v6, NIV)

Paul's effort is what he describes next. He wasn't just any plain old Pharisee. He wasn't just any plain old Jew. Paul was so extreme in his conduct that he persecuted the church. The Christians were opposed to the hypocrite Pharisees, so Paul went so far that he persecuted Christians. He took pleasure in their death. Not many Pharisees or people in general could attest to going that far.

Nobody's perfect. We all sin and fall in many different ways. However, with regard to the Jewish law that the Pharisees tried to keep, Paul was blameless. He kept the law. Not everyone could say that they were faultless, but Paul kept the law. We know that persecuting Christians is wrong, but in his eyes at the time, that was right. In the eyes of those Paul is appealing to with regards to confidence in the flesh; Paul can prove to them as being faultless.

Paul is telling his readers that we as followers of the Lord Jesus Christ do not put confidence in the flesh. If anyone were to put confidence in the flesh, Paul has much reason to do so. However, he does not. Let us not for any reason in any way shape or form put confidence in our weak and sinful flesh. Let us boast in the Lord.