On the contrary, it was when he was a Pharisee. There was never a time when anyone, especially a Jew, was alive without the law. So clearly, Paul is speaking of how the law hadn't yet convicted him of sin. He felt alive in his self-righteousness. Paul lived his life like the Pharisee who said, "Thank God I am not like other sinners." He had kept the letter of the law, but it wasn't until he was convicted of the sin in his heart that he was slain by the law. He says the same here.
Philippians 3:4-8
4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: 5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. 7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
The law, for the Pharisee, was something kept by the
flesh. Where does your accusation of "self-righteousness" fit in if Paul didn't view it as such? Faith was in the doing of it, the same as it is for the believer in Christ. The only thing different is the Law. The Law is now a Person and His Law can't be kept without
faith.
