Gains and Loss's

The Greek word for Flesh, Philippians 3:4 (NRSV)

4 even though I, too, have reason for confidence in the flesh.

If anyone else has reason to be confident in the flesh, I have more: σάρξ (sarx), in the Greek-this is used here for humanity in its weakness. When Paul talks about the flesh he is talking specifically concerning humanity in its weakened state. Paul goes on to explain how if anyone has reason to boast in their weakened state, he does. Philippians 3:5 (NRSV) When Paul talks about the flesh and the contrast between the worldly, the flesh, and the spirit, he speaks much like Isaiah 31:3 (NRSV)

3 The Egyptians are human, and not God;

their horses are flesh, and not spirit.

When the Lord stretches out his hand,

the helper will stumble, and the one helped will fall,

and they will all perish together.

5 circumcised on the eighth day, a member of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; Circumcision was the mark of a follower of God. Paul is telling us that he too received this mark, but what is important is what you have in your heart. Having your own righteousness has little value in the big picture. Salvation is to be found in Jesus Christ. Being circumcised in to be an outward showing of an inner reward. Self-righteousness is of the flesh, which says I can do this if I just follow the law, and then the flesh, which is weak, fails us time and time again. John Wesley stated it this way, “ 7 But all these things, which I then accounted gain, which were once my confidence, my glory, and joy, those, ever since I have believed, I have accounted loss, nothing worth in comparison of Christ”. (Wesley's Notes)

Paul claims that his linage makes him someone of Jewish decent. Paul was a Hebrew who never forgot his Hebrew language, where others had given it up for their language of origin. Paul was of the tribe of Benjamin. His parents may have named him after the first King (Saul). That is why Paul says I am a Hebrew born of Hebrews and he was proud to be a pharisee. Philippians 3:6 (NRSV)

6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. Paul is claiming to be special to be set apart because of his linage, and yet he now realizes that it was for nothing. Philippians 3:7 (NRSV)

7 Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ. In the setting and the time that Paul is in every one of the things he mentions concerning who he is was considered a gain. In the scripture gains is plural but loss is not. In other words he had many gains just because of his linage, but he now counts them all as one big loss.

To many Christians live their life with one foot in the law and one foot in the kingdom. We have yet received the freedom that Paul found in the belief of Jesus Christ as Lord. Philippians 3:8–9 (NRSV)

8 More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard 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 one that comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God based on faith. Paul is more than willing to give up all the things that he once held as great value. In fact he now counts all the previous gains as a loss only because what is revealed to him through Christ Jesus helps him to realize that what he previously counted as gain simply had no value at all.

Philippians 3:10 (NRSV)

10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, Verse 8 introduced the idea of knowing Christ, and now Paul expands his thoughts on the subject of knowing Christ. In my thoughts Paul is suggesting that knowing Christ is an ongoing theme. The process is ongoing and perhaps never complete. John 14:8–9 (NRSV)

8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?

You can see this not yet mentality from Paul in the following verses when he states, Philippians 3:11–12 (NRSV)

11 if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Pressing toward the Goal

12 Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Paul encourages us to look towards the future and tells us that it is not that he has arrived, but that he strives towards the goal. Philippians 3:13–14 (NRSV)

13 Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this 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 heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.