Expositor's Bible Commentary 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)

The zeal that later fired Paul in his missionary efforts existed before his conversion, for it was part of his personality. Before his Damascus experience this zeal was devoted to advancing as a Pharisee in Judaism. This he did beyond his own contemporaries. He undoubtedly spent much time memorizing the Torah and the rabbinical traditions. With such a background no one could claim that Paul did not know Judaism or the OT. Nor could anyone claim that during this period he had subtly received his instruction in Christianity from others.