*Philippians 3:1-21
Paul warns against relying on earthly achievements and emphasizes the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus.
- Warning Against False Teachers:
- Paul begins by warning the Philippians to watch out for those he describes as “dogs,” “evil workers,” and those of the “circumcision group.”
- He emphasizes the true circumcision as being that of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter of the law.
- Paul’s Personal History and Transformation:
- Paul shares his own background as a Pharisee and a zealous adherent of the Jewish law, claiming he was faultless in legalistic righteousness.
- He considers all his former privileges and achievements as “loss” for the sake of Christ.
- Everything is considered rubbish compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus his Lord, for whom he has lost all things.
- Righteousness Through Faith in Christ:
- Paul highlights the difference between having a righteousness of his own from the law and that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.
- Goal of Knowing Christ and Resurrection:
- His aim is to know Christ, experience the power of His resurrection, participate in His sufferings, and become like Him in His death.
- Paul expresses his hope to attain the resurrection from the dead, not claiming to have already achieved this goal but pressing on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of him.
- Exhortation to Follow His Example:
- Paul encourages the Philippians to follow his example and observe those who live according to the pattern they have in him.
- He contrasts his example with many who live as enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction and who set their minds on earthly things.
- Heavenly Citizenship and Expectation of the Savior:
- The believers are reminded that their citizenship is in heaven, and from there they eagerly await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
- Upon His return, Christ will transform their lowly bodies to be like His glorious body, by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control.
3:1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.
3:2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.
3:3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
3:4 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: 3:5 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; 3:6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
3:7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 3:11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
3:15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
3:16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
3:17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
3:18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 3:19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 3:21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.