“Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.”
'They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that according to the strictest sect of our religion, I lived as a Pharisee. - Paul invokes the testimony of 'those who have known me a long time' (prosthen, prosthen-'from before'); they 'can testify' (dynamai martyreō, dynamai martyreō-'are able to witness'). His affiliation with 'the strictest sect' (akribēstátē hairesis, akribēstátē hairesis-'most exact/rigorous party') and his practice as a Pharisee (Pharisaios, Pharisaios) are matters of public knowledge. He claims the highest form of Jewish observance as his starting point.
Church Fathers on Acts 26:5
Agrippa said to Paul, You are permitted to speak for yourself. Acts 26:1 From his great desire to hear, the king permits him to speak. But Paul speaks out immediately with boldness, not flattering, but for this reason saying that he is happy, namely, because (Agrippa) knew all. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself. I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before you touching all the things whereof I am accused of…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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