A.T. Robertson Commentary Galatians 1:14

"and I advanced in the Jews` religion beyond many of mine own age among my countrymen, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers." — Galatians 1:14 (ASV)

I advanced (προεκοπτον). Imperfect active again of προκοπτω, old verb, to cut forward (as in a forest), to blaze a way, to go ahead. In N.T. only here, Romans 13:12; 2 Timothy 2:16; 3:9,13. Paul was a brilliant pupil under Gamaliel. See Php 3:4-6. He was in the lead of the persecution also.

Beyond many of mine own age (υπερ πολλους συνηλικιωτας). Later compound form for the Attic ηλικιωτης which occurs in Dion Hal. and inscriptions (from συν, with, and ηλικια, age). Paul modestly claims that he went "beyond" (υπερ) his fellow-students in his progress in Judaism.

More exceedingly zealous (περισσοτερως ζηλοτης). Literally, "more exceedingly a zealot." See on Ac 1:13; 21:20; 1 Corinthians 14:12. Like Simon Zelotes.

For the traditions of my fathers (των πατρικων μου παραδοσεων). Objective genitive after ζηλοτης. Πατρικων only here in N.T., though old word from πατηρ (father), paternal, descending from one's father. For πατρωιος see Ac 22:3,14. Tradition (παραδοσις) played a large part in the teaching and life of the Pharisees . Paul now taught the Christian tradition (2 Thessalonians 2:15).