What “surpasses the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees?” Saint Paul was a Pharisee. He believed he did right by obeying all laws and traditions of the Hebrew faith. Yet he “failed in one point;” he persecuted the Lord (See Acts 9:4). If we Christians obey every church edict and tradition; if we are fervent about obeying the commands of Christ; we, too, can still “fail in one point.” The point is reached when our works become more important than faith in God alone and in His Son, Jesus Christ, for the fulfillment of all righteousness. Selah.