Philippians 3_1-4_1

These “dogs”, these ‘evildoers’, these ‘mutilators of the flesh” – these false prophets were insisting that works of the law must be added to the finished and complete work of Christ!

In contrast, Paul gives a threefold description of the truly circumcised… they are those who worship by the Spirit of God… who glory in Christ Jesus… and put NO Confidence in the flesh.

I. Righteousness of my own by the Law

Paul insists that if they have any basis of trusting in these ‘works’, he certainly has more reason. Consider his pedigree ---

That which was given Paul by parents

- Circumcision on 8th day (v 5, cf. Gen17:12), therefore not like Ismael or other adult circumcised later in life. Exactly as law required cf. Lev 12:3

- Noble Birth – an Israelite – special name given Jacob after wrestling with God, cf. Gen 32:28. an Ishmaelite could claim decent from Abraham, an Edomite could claim decent from Abraham & Isaac, but only a true member of the covenant people could be called an Israelite! Further he was of the tribe of Benjamin, son of the favorite wife of Jacob/Israel, only the tribe Benjamin joined with Judah to maintain the restored southern kingdom. I Kings 12:21

Thus he was a “Hebrew of the Hebrews”, ie. The purest of the pure.

That which Paul obtained by his own efforts

- a Pharisee according to the law (v.5) to be a Pharisee was to be in a select group, name means “separated one”, making great effort to keep all the law, see - Galatians 1:14 (ESV) And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers.

- a zealot, actively persecuting the church – see Acts 22:4 (ESV) I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women

- legal righteousness - blameless, faultless. That is - in human judgement, his outward behavior and conduct was irreproachable!

How Paul rejects these superior works

- threefold use of counting them as lose even as refuse/garbage! Could also be translated “esteemed as loss”

Note: Wm. Hendriksen draws a comparison between how Christ did not count / esteem his position existence in equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied himself… cf. 2:6 with 3:7. Paul counts all these things as loss for Christ, and emptied himself of these things that he might gain Christ!

Paul will depend on another Righeousness!

II. Righteousness from God

Through faith in Christ. v. 8b ”that I may gain Christ”. Paul is thinking of what it means to be in ‘union with Christ’. this would include – the imputation of Christ’s righteousness, forgiveness of sins, reconciliation with God, breaking the bonds of slavery to Satan, etc.

It comes from God. We receive it through the agency of faith as we trust in Christ and his finished work of redemption. Romans 8:3 (ESV) For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh,

It results in striving after Christ. cf. v8 “the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” and v10 “that I may know him and…”

Jesus’ righteousness was a perfect righteousness/holiness – Jesus said: John 8:29 (ESV) And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.” And also Jesus said to his enemies, John 8:45–46 (ESV) But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me?

This Righteousness is by Grace Alone! Romans 3:23–24 (ESV) 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, see also Ephesians 2:8 (ESV) 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

CONCLUSION

The accumulation of human righteousness is a bit like playing Monopoly. The game has colorful money and is enjoyable to play, but only a fool would take Monopoly money and go into town to buy groceries. A different kind of currency is used in the real world. It is the same spiritually. There are people who think they are collecting assets before God when they are only collecting human righteousness. God tells them that they must leave the play currency to deal in his goodness. Our goodness has no value in heaven. Boice, J. M. (2000). Philippians: an expositional commentary (p. 173).

Are you wearing the Right suit of clothes? Football pads, etc. running track? Basketball uniform playing football?

See also Jesus’ parable Matt 22:2-14 Wedding of Kings Son.

Matthew 22:11–14 (ESV) 11 “But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment. 12 And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ 14 For many are called, but few are chosen.”

Isaiah 59:6 (ESV) Their webs will not serve as clothing; men will not cover themselves with what they make. Their works are works of iniquity, and deeds of violence are in their hands.

Philippians 3:1–4:1 (ESV)

3 1 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things 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. 3 For we are the circumcision, 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: 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. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 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 and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

12 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. 13 Brothers, 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, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

4 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

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