3:6 persecutor of the church. See Acts 9:13, 14; 22:4, 5; 26:9–11; 1 Cor. 15:9; Gal. 1:13, 14.

blameless. This is not a claim of sinlessness (Rom. 7:7–13), but of fidelity to the Old Testament’s prescribed way of life. Paul’s obedience to the law was honorable, but his resulting “confidence” (the word is repeated three times in vv. 3 and 4) was the worst of sins.