Knowing The Word in Philippians 3:1-11, Righteousness Through Faith in Christ

1 Finally [but not really!], my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things [a previous warning communicated in person or letter that is repeated in verse 2] to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.

2 Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. [See Galatians 5:2 (“if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you”) and following to understand Paul’s hostility toward this group that demands all convert be circumcised, meaning becoming Jewish under the Law, before they can become Christians. Paul’s argument is that requiring circumcision, which should be voluntary, one is seeking justification under the law and not through grace alone in Christ alone.] 3 For we are the circumcision [not a bodily mark of the flesh but of the church’s consciousness of being the new people of God], who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— 4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more [Paul now shares his autobiographical Jewish resume to illustrate why grace triumphs over the Law]: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people 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 righteousness under the law, blameless. 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. [Because of all that Christ has become to him, Paul is willing to collect all his former privileges and write them off as loss.] 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. [To know Christ Jesus as Lord is not only superior to the privileges of Judaism, but excels them to such a degree, and so far outstrips them, that it must be considered in a class by itself.] For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ [see Mark 10:17-22, which is the story of Jesus telling the Rich Young Man to sell all he has and follow Jesus] 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him [God’s righteousness received by faith makes it possible for the believer to know Christ and his saving benefits] and the power of his resurrection [the power of Christ liberated by his victory over death and at work in the life of the believer, raising him from the death of sin into the newness of life in Christ], and may share his sufferings [the apostles sufferings were like an extension of the dying Jesus borne in their bodies], becoming like him in his death [Paul dies to himself in his old life as a Pharisee that he may live to God with Christ enthroned as his supreme Lord], 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. [Paul makes clear the completion of the work of grace awaits in the resurrection from the dead and not in this life, although this life is of utmost importance.]

Prayer

The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.