Chapter 3
Breaking with the past
1: Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord…
He exhorts the Philippians again, as he has throughout this letter, to joy.
1: …To write the same things to you is not irksome to me, and is safe for you.
The reference to “writ[ing] the same things” could refer to what Paul has just said, but I think it is more likely to refer to what he is about to write. It’s unclear as to whether Paul had previously warned them in another letter (cf Polycarp’s testimony) or when he was with them in person.
Paul says that he’s going to be repeating himself here, but that it’s okay because he’s doing it out of love for the Philippians, for their spiritual safety. Given everything else we know about the Philippians I would imagine that Paul was pretty confident in the Philippian’s fidelity to the Gospel, but out of fatherly care for the this church he can’t help but say something. It brings to mind parent calling out “Drive safely! Be careful!” when a child leaves for university 🙂
But love will not allow me to be silent where you are concerned, so I am taking this opportunity to exhort you…
– Letter of St. Ignatius to the Ephesians, Chapter 3
Many times we hear sermons and homilies where we don’t “learn” anything in the sense that we aren’t told any new new information. However, I think this verse of Paul’s letter to the Philippians reminds us that we should not tire of being exhorted to virtue and warned against dangers and vice.
As Dr. Johnson said, people need to be reminded more often than they need to be instructed.
– Mere Christianity (Book III), C.S. Lewis
2: Look out for the dogs, look out for the evil-workers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh.
This abrupt change in subject has lead some scholars to conclude that Philippians is, in fact, two or three letters that Paul sent to that church which have been stitched together, as discussed in the introduction. However, it is equally possible that Paul just thought of something else to talk about!
In Paul’s time, the Pharisees would often describe Gentiles (non-Jews) as “dogs”, yet here Paul repurposes the term to refer to a group we know as the “Judaizers”. These were those who believed in Jesus to some degree, but insisted that Gentiles must become Jews before becoming Christians. As we mentioned in the introduction, the Philippian congregation was predominantly Gentile…
The Judaizers insisted Gentiles follow the requirements of the Old Covenant such as keeping kosher. In particular, the Judaizers demanded that men be circumcised and Paul plays on the word “mutilate” here to. This viewpoint stands in direct contrast to the letter sent out by the Apostles after the Council of Jerusalem in AD 50. Paul speaks out against Judaizers many times in his letters, particularly in his letter to the Galatians.
3: For we are the true circumcision, who worship God in spirit, and glory in Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh.
Paul explains that Christians are the “true circumcision” and in his letter to the Colossians he explains that this is baptism, the “circumcision not performed by human hands”. The promise of a better circumcision was foretold by Moses.
The word “flesh” is used in several different ways in Scripture and here it refers to our fallen nature, man without God.
4: Though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If any other man thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more:
Paul has said that Christians put no confidence in the flesh, but says that if anybody were to have confidence in it, Paul would be the best qualified…
5-6: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; as to the law a Pharisee, as to zeal a persecutor of the church, as to righteousness under the law blameless.
Paul lists his credentials. For me this list is like someone saying “I’m not only American, I came over on the Mayflower”:
1. Paul has been “circumcised”. He had fulfilled the ritual requirements of the Mosaic Law.
2. Paul is an “Israel[ite]”. He was part of God’s chosen people, a descendant of Jacob (later renamed Israel).
3. Paul belonged to “the tribe of Benjamin”. Benjamin was one of the twelve sons of Jacob and had the distinction of being the only one born in the Promised Land. Other distinctions were that King Saul came from that line and it was also the tribe which marched into battle first.
4. He is a “Hebrew”. This meant that he spoke Aramaic and was a descendant of Eber, the great-grandson of Shem. The phrase “Hebrew of Hebrews” is an application of a idiom indicating perfection, zeal. In this sense, “The Song of Songs” is the best of songs.
5. Paul belonged to the “Pharisee” party. This was a very rigorous group within Judaism at the time of the First Century..
6. He was a “persecutor of the Church”. During his early career, Paul distinguished himself by his zeal for Judaism, so much so that he vigorously persecuted the new group which appeared who later came to be known as “Christians”.
Paul is saying that if the Judaizers want to say that Paul doesn’t know what he’s talking about then they clearly don’t know who he is! If you wanted that way to salvation Paul would have had them beat! Paul now goes on to say how he regards such things…
Discussion Questions
Q1. What might be our version of these things?
Assignment
In Philippians 3 Paul lists his impressive list of credentials and achievements. I’d therefore invite you to spend a bit of time and write down on a piece of paper all of your credentials and achievements – personal and professional – all the things you value and take pride in.
7-11: But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.
In comparison to Christ, Paul considers all his achievements and accolades as nothing.It’s not that these things were bad, it’s just that, in comparison to Jesus, they just don’t compare! In comparison to Jesus, everything else fades into insignificance!
Memory Verse
But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ – Philippians 3:7
Memory Verse
Indeed I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord – Philippians 3:8
Assignment
Return to the list you made in the previous assignment and prayerfully work through those items and write beneath each one “But whatever gain I had, I count… as loss for the sake of Christ”. Honestly ask yourself where you place this achievement in comparison to knowing Jesus.
Assignment
Watch the following video…
For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as refuse, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own, based on law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith; …
He says he considers them “refuse”. “Sewage” might be a better rendering, but even this doesn’t really do justice to the vivid bluntness of the Greek word “skubalon” (σκύβαλον)!
Paul says that he hopes to be found “in him [Christ]” and that it is from this and not the Law of Moses that he gains his righteousness.
Memory Verse
For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as refuse, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own, based on law, but that which is through faith in Christ – Philippians 3:8-9
…that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that if possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
These verses in this section are profound and mystical. Paul yearns to know Christ more and more, to comprehend more deeply the power of His resurrection. He also wants to imitate Him, share in His sufferings so that, in the same we he imitates His suffering and death, he will imitate His resurrection.
Pressing toward the Goal
12-14: Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.
Paul makes it very clear that he’s not perfect, he still has a way to go, but he expresses a determination to move forward and seize what Christ won for him.
Memory Verse
Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own – Philippians 3:13
Brethren, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Previously Paul spoke about his past achievements, now he looks towards the future. There is an exhortation to look and move forward. Athletes should not look backwards, they should look forward towards the finish line! God is calling Paul and all of us towards Heaven – keep your eye on the prize.
Memory Verse
Brethren, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus – Philippians 3:13-14
Assignment
Our pasts have a way of haunting us, so the purpose of this homework option is to put those ghosts to rest. Write down on a piece of paper those things from your past which still have a hold over you. The following day, return to the sheet and, under each item write “forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead”. For each item, pray for peace of mind and for strength to move forward.
15-16: Let those of us who are mature be thus minded; and if in anything you are otherwise minded, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained.
Do not fall back! Move forward!
17: Brethren, join in imitating me, and mark those who so live as you have an example in us.
As Paul imitates Christ, Paul tells people to imitate him. In Catholicism we have a “Hall of Fame” of those Christians who have lived exemplary lives for us to imitate. We call them “Saints”.
Memory Verse
Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do – Philippians 3:17
18-21: For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is the belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.
Paul warns his readings to be on the look out for those who are “enemies of the cross of Christ”. It means those opposed to Jesus and His “way”. I can’t help but think (given the previous few paragraphs) he has in mind those who would try to take the cross out of Christianity. He describes examples we should not follow:
1. Their destiny is destruction
2. Their god is their stomach. Their appetites are wrong. Gluttonous. See how this contrasts with Paul’s exhortations to humility in Chapter 2.
3. Their glory is their shame. What they take most pride in are the things which truly shame them.
Paul says these people have their minds set on earthly things. We should have our minds set on heavenly things.
20-21: But our commonwealth is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will change our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power which enables him even to subject all things to himself.
Paul then says two things which would have had particular significance for the Philippians:
1. He says that “our commonwealth is in heaven”. The word rendered here as “commonwealth” is “politeuma” (πολίτευμα) and could also be rendered “citizenship”. Remember that Philippi was a Roman colony. There were many Roman citizens there who were tremendously proud of their citizenship, as we read in Acts. Paul is saying that there is a more important citizenship to be had in heaven. We find this theme prevalent in the Early Church Fathers:
“Christians are not distinguished from the rest of mankind by either country, speech, or customs; the fact is, they nowhere settle in cities of their own… They reside in their respective countries, but only as aliens. They take part in everything as citizens and put up with everything as foreigners. Every foreign land is their home, and every home a foreign land… They spend their days on earth, but hold citizenship in heaven.” – The Epistle To Diognetus, 2nd Century
2. He then describes Jesus as “Lord”. It is for this testimony that many Christians gave their lives in the early centuries. Caesar isn’t Lord, Jesus is.
He finally alludes to the Resurrection from the Dead and how Christ has the power to raise our bodies.
Discussion Questions:
Q1: Do you regard this world as transient? Do you see yourself as just passing through? Or do you regard this world has your home, your final destination?
Memory Verse
But our commonwealth is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ – Philippians 3:20
Background | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4