When the apostle Paul was being prosecuted (Acts 23) by those in authority, it did not take long before Paul took advantage of the situation to bring the “trial” to a stand-still. He noticed the divided loyalty that existed amongst those  persecuting him for the cause of Christ. Taking advantage of the situation that he knew was nothing more than a farce he threw the proceedings into confusion by bringing his own religious heritage into the discussion. Those of a similar persuasion then set themselves to defend their own honor by defending Paul against a contrary persuasion (the Sadducees). For many, religious loyalty is still like that today; there is more commitment to one’s own honor than to the Lord’s way of righteousness. RT