Bible Study Philippians 3: 1-11

 

A Commentary of the Book of Philippians

By Dr. Barry L. Jenkins

Text Used: Legacy Standard Bible

Bible Study Philippians 3: 1-11

Text:

Righteousness Through Faith in Christ

3 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you.

2 Beware of the dogs! Beware of the evil workers! Beware of the [a]mutilation! 3 For we are the [b]circumcision, who worship [c]in the Spirit of God and boast in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh, 4 although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless.

7 But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 More than that, I count all things to be loss because of the surpassing value of [d]knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, [e]for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own which is from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God upon faith, 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and [f]the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 [g]in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Verse by verse commentary

Verse 1: “Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you.”

Paul’s theme throughout the epistle is rejoicing, however, this is the first time he adds “in the Lord,” which describes the sphere unrelated to the circumstances of life, but related to a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. When you have Christ as your Substitute, you can rejoice notwithstanding your circumstances.

Verse 2: “Beware of the dogs! Beware of the evil workers! Beware of the mutilation!”

Today, people are so word conscious. Words offend people so easily. However, look at Paul.s words: “Beware of the dogs.” A person may have to speak directly to opposition. When you stand for truth, you may offend someone. Paul would not let that fact stop him from speaking truth. Paul’s opponents here may be either Christians (as in Galatians) or non-Christians who champion the law of Moses and insist on circumcision as the badge of salvation.

Verse 3: “For we are the circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and boast in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh,”

In response to the Judaizers and their mistaken focus upon the physical rite of circumcision, Paul argues that Christians are the true circumcision, i.e., the spiritual Israel. Paul draws a distinction between those that glory in Christ versus those who glory in their own flesh through circumcision. The true Christian knows his flesh is not to be exalted, but rather the work of Christ. 

Verse 4: “although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more:”

Verses 4-6 express Paul’s extensive pedigree under the law. If anyone wanted to boast in his flesh, it was Paul. However, he refused to do so. Only Christ is to receive glory; never man. 

Verse 5: “circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee;”

Paul’s life was one of legalistic obedience to the law, both the Torah and the Talmud (the body of Jewish civil and ceremonial law). Male circumcision was to take place exactly on the 8th day after birth. Paul’s family was Torah obedient as was Paul. He is making a strong point that since he would not boast in his flesh, neither should the Philippians.

Verse 6: “as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless.”

Paul was a persecutor of the church, but he knew that no matter how evil he had been, God’s grace and mercy was bigger. He was a chief of sinners, but forgiven and his eternity established. This was not a claim of sinlessness or perfection, but of obedience to the Old Testament’s prescribed way of life. Paul’s obedience to the law was honorable, but his resulting “confidence” could be considered prideful.

Verse 7: “But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.”

Whatever Paul’s impressive pedigree as a Jew was, he counted it as unimportant and a loss for knowing Christ as Messiah. Paul’s choice to leave the place where he was very respected demonstrates the transformation he had experienced when he was born again. I have seen a similar type of commitment when I held crusades in India. New Christians forfeit their government benefits when they leave the Hindu faith for the Christian faith. May we be ever so faithful as they were.

Verse 8: “More than that, I count all things to be loss because of the surpassing value of ]knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ.”

To “know” Christ is not simply to have intellectual or head knowledge about Him. Paul used the Greek verb that means to know “experientially” or “personally”. One of the dangers of the man-made doctrine that man can come to God without grace first being given to him as a gift is that at most the person has a head knowledge of Christ only. However, when the Holy Spirit convicts you of sin, reveals to your heart that you are destined for a devil’s hell for eternity, brings you to the blood stained cross of Calvary and shows you that Christ died for you, it results in a transformation that enabled Paul to leave his impressive past into a persecuted future. The word “rubbish” could mean waste or manure. 

Verse 9: “and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own which is from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God upon faith,”

Paul now understands that salvation is based not upon human works of obedience to the law, but entirely and exclusively upon “the righteousness from God,” given to those united with Christ. We receive His righteousness as we have faith in Christ. This is not a head acknowledgment of who Christ is, but rather a faith that transforms every aspect of your life. A true Christian has no areas of their life that are hidden or held back from the Lord Jesus Christ. His righteousness is both imputed and imparted to believers. There is both a cover (The Father sees the Son’s righteousness not our sin) and change (His righteousness impacts how we live our lives). This is an active faith, a faith that works, and not a passive faith.

Verse 10: “that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,”

This is Paul’s most passionate and desired longing. He speaks not merely of greater mental understanding, but one of deepened personal union. Paul wants a closer walk with the Lord even if it means suffering. The true believer wants more of the Lord even if it means being shipwrecked, imprisoned, or beaten. This is a real active faith. Paul knew this. Does your life reflect this truth?

Verse 11: “in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.”

Paul understands that the believer’s perseverance depends on the will and the working of the Sovereign God. This is not the doctrine of “once saved always saved. “ That evil doctrine teaches that you can say a prayer for salvation and then live like the devil and still be saved. The true doctrine of salvation is that the Holy Spirit will insure that no believer is ever lost once saved unless they become apostates. If they willingly turn from the faith, it is likely that they never were genuinely converted. True Christians will make it to the end.