Barnes New Testament Notes

Verse 3. I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers. Paul reckoned among his forefathers the patriarchs and the holy men of former times, as being of the same nation with himself; though it may be that he also included his more immediate ancestors, who, for anything known to the contrary, may have been distinguished examples of piety. His own parents, it is certain, took care that he should be trained up in the ways of religion. Comp. See Barnes "Php 3:4, See Barnes "Php 3:5; See Barnes "Ac 26:4"; See Barnes "Ac 26:5".

The phrase "from my forefathers," probably means, after the example of my ancestors. He worshipped the same God; he held substantially the same truths; he had the same hope of the resurrection and of immortality; he trusted to the same Saviour having come, on whom they relied as about to come. His was not, therefore, a different religion from theirs; it was the same religion carried out and perfected. The religion of the Old Testament and the New is essentially the same. See Barnes "Ac 23:6".

With pure conscience. See Barnes "Ac 23:1".

That without ceasing. Comp. See Barnes "Ro 12:12 1 Th 5:17.

I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day. See Barnes "Php 1:3,

See Barnes "1:4".

{c} "serve" Ac 23:1 {*} "from my forefathers" "After" {d} "pure conscience" Heb 13:18