ETB Philippians 3:8-21

Welcome Time

First Thoughts

Goals help us establish new behaviors, keep us focused on a desired outcome, and serve as guides that help us sustain some type of momentum to keep going.

What do goals reveal about a person’s priorities and view of self?

Rose had fitness goals that changed as her other future plans changed. First it was to run a certain distance then it became about being fully fit in strength and endurance for her career.

What about spiritual goals have you ever heard someone with those?

As we look through our verses today think about what Paul is encouraging the Philippians and us modern believers to strive toward in our spiritual lives.

Pray

Understand the Context

Last week we finished at verse 18 in Chapter 2. Paul finishes that Chapter by commending Timothy and Epaphroditus to them and what they had been through. At the beginning of Chapter 3 Paul warns the Philippians about people who are not good examples and thoroughly embedded in the things of this world. Our Lifeway book and several commentaries agree that he is speaking about one specific group of “judaizers”. Whether it was 1 group or 3, they all had their own interests as a priority and Paul wanted the Philippians to have nothing to do with them if at all possible. Paul then uses himself as an example of how wrapped up in the world’s prestige and glorification of self that he once was. These warnings prompt his appeal to release the holds of this world "things" and focus on knowing Christ. This progression continues into lifestyle living and then finishes with another contrast of examples and alternate citizenship. We pick up our study right after the all-important word of transition comes - “but” and then Paul begins to tell the Philippians about why he gave all that up.

Explore the Text

Philippians 3:8–9 ESV

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 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—

Paul considered knowing Christ Jesus to be of surpassing worth. When placed alongside the riches of his new life in Christ, his prior religious experiences had no value. In fact, what he had left behind was rubbish compared to Christ whom He had gained. The term rubbish was a synonym for garbage or even dung or excrement. If we listen closely, we can hear echoes of Isaiah 64:6 in Paul’s testimony. That prophetic passage declares, “all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment.” [LifeWay Adults (2020). (p. 45). Explore the Bible: Adult Leader Guide - ESV - Fall 2021. LifeWay Press. Retrieved from https://read.lifeway.com]

Paul never went back to that form of religious bondage and now he is encouraging his readers to avoid that same trap by focusing on faith in Christ and its freedoms. Paul is contrasting all the things that previous meant something to him (v3-6) with what he now considers to be of “surpassing worth.” He kind of ups the ante on his statement in verse 7. There he counted as lost whatever he had gained, now he says “everything” things past and future opportunities through that lifestyle are not worth keeping a hold on.

The concept of worthless loss for great gains was told a different way by Jesus.

Matthew 13:44 ESV

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

Matthew 13:45–46 ESV

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

Jesus the the treasure and the and the pearl. He is telling us that He is worth everything even when it does not make worldly sense.

Paul knew the law very well and also that it revealed our sinful state without offering any lasting, eternal, remission of sin. That type of righteousness before God can only come from God it is not something that we can obtain or work out on our own. Faith alone, in Christ alone is the Way alone.

Knowing Christ is worth the loss and struggle that it takes for its value is not in what we obtain but solely in the price paid for it.

Not only did Paul want them to see how little those things meant but urged them to see what value there was in following Christ.

Philippians 3:10–11 ESV

that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Although the original intent of this letter may have been more on the administrative and encouraging unity of faith, the most commentaries, books, bible studies, and songs have been about verse 10 than any others in this epistle. There is so much to what is said here it takes all that stuff to even come close to grasping what Paul was trying to communicate. My family did a study together that I had gone through when I first became Christian in college that was centered around verse 10. 13 weeks, one around “knowing him” more fully. One of the things we do to understand God’s word better is to read different translations, especially if you are like me and cannot read Greek and Hebrew. This verse in the ESV is rather short compared to several other English versions. The Amplified Bible was popular in the 80’s & 90’s in part because of the “expanded” text that helps more fully develop in the English language what is lost in the translation from Greek. The study we did used the NASB and NIV most of the time, but this verse was to be memorized in the Amplified because of how much “extra” it helped us see what Paul was trying to communicate. Here are the same two verses again in the Amplified.

Philippians 3:10–11 AMP

[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope] That if possible I may attain to the [spiritual and moral] resurrection [that lifts me] out from among the dead [even while in the body].

That’s a mouth full. And even after doing a 13-week bible study - twice - I still don’t have a full grasp on all that either translation states.

Let’s look through the ESV version a little more.

Philippians 3:10–11 ESV

that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

There two words in Greek that a used often in Scripture that are translated into the English word “know”. Pastor Steve did a great word study and contrast of them in his sermons through 1John. This one is ginosko, it is the word for an experiential knowledge and not just academic or “head knowledge.” It would not be wrong to say Paul wanted to “experience Christ”. He used to “know” (eido) God very well but now considers that kind of knowledge as rubbish compared with the opportunity to “know” (ginosko) Christ as fully as possible.

How did Paul want to experience Christ? Through the power of his resurrection, sharing his sufferings, and becoming like him in his death. Modern marketing personnel would cringe at such a promotion. But that was the point. It was not to be like the way the world had been telling them this is different. It isn’t easy and it will cost you something, but it is worth it.

Now Paul isn’t talking about physical deaths and resurrections exclusively but is including the concept of death to self and to sin’s hold on believers. The 50-cent word for that is mortification. That one way in which Paul wanted to “become” like Christ in being dead to this world. Last week we talked about the example of Christ’s humility and how he took the “form of a servant” but did not lose any of His deity. Paul uses that same root word - morphe - here to describe how that “becoming” process. Still 100% Paul, but more like Christ.

Paul is willing to do whatever it takes, even dying as he has said more than once in this letter, to know more of Christ and His kingdom. Reaching for whatever he can learn or “attain” in the process of becoming more like Christ. This attaining and the one in verse 16 are different Greek words. The contrast is between what Paul wants to grasp more thoroughly “knowing Christ” and holding onto the knowledge/experiences in Christ that he already has and learned. Paul knew that he was not perfect of complete in Christ and had more to learn.

Philippians 3:12 ESV

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.

This letter is written to the Philippians who will eventually be a part of Greece. If you think we are sports fanatics now - these people literally invented the Olympic Games. The imagery of racing and competing was very familiar to the readers. He uses the concept of running race and “pressing on” here and in the next verses. You don’t generally have to “press on” in a race until you have reached the limits of your normal strength. It seems to imply a struggle has been going on and needs to continue. It also infers that you actually are in the race and not on the sidelines. Or worse yet, like the “dogs” and “evil doers” in verse 2 preventing others from running.

This verse may be either encouraging or discouraging depending on your perspective on life. For some they see this and think, “Well if Paul who wrote 1/2 the New Testament can’t do it why even try”. Others take comfort that since Paul hadn’t reached the mark then they are not alone in the struggle to Christlikeness. Paul however shows us that neither is really the correct view as our focus should be on that Christ has made us “his own” therefore we are should not be concerned with feeling good about ourselves or finishing an impossible task but relying on, trusting in, and pleasing Him. Paul completes that idea in the next few verses.

Philippians 3:13–14 ESV

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, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Paul stresses that the advances that he has made in Christ he did not do on “my own”. He knew the sanctification process was all a work of God and would not be completed here on earth (Php 1:6) but that did not stop his desire to “know Christ” more. He also helps his readers see that our focus should be about where God wants us to be not from where He has brought us. This “forgetting” is not the same as “not remembering” it is more an intentional act of the will to focus elsewhere and not give value or attention to. “Counting them as loss” is similar and “straining forward” would be the opposite. Jesus put it this way in Luke 9:62 “Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”” The work continues in the proper direction without the distractions behind and beside us from preventing that progress toward God’s ultimate goal in our lives.

I like the way Ignatius put it one of his letters to the Ephesians:

Lake’s Apostolic Fathers in English XI

1 THESE are the last times. Therefore let us be modest, let us fear the long-suffering of God, that it may not become our judgment. For let us either fear the wrath to come, or love the grace which is present,—one of the two,—only let us be found in Christ Jesus unto true life.

Philippians 3:15–16 ESV

Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

The first thing I ask myself about this verse is what is “mature”. Mature like Paul, absolutely not but again he is not asking us to compare ourselves with Him but to use Christ as our standard. In this context we are “adults in Christ” if we have finished needing the basic things of sanctification feed to us by others every day. If you can grasp the concepts he has laid out in this letter, then you are mature enough to follow them and obey, if not God will “work in you” until such that that you can. I think another sign of maturity in Christ is that when you read God’s Word and understand it enough on your own that you can with Agur say, Prov 30:3 “I have not learned wisdom, nor have I knowledge of the Holy One.” This allows us to learn more, and Paul encourages not to let the past or the “dogs” to take those truths away from us

Philippians 3:17–19 ESV

Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.

After pointing us as readers towards Christ multiple times, Paul now acknowledges in a way that some people need visual examples to emulate and offers himself and the other apostles as worthy subjects. Unfortunately, even in Paul’s day and maybe more so now there are a lot of bad examples. The apostle apparently had some people close to him fall away an now are not only just following after worldly pursuit but are now “enemies” of the gospel message. Look at the contrast of their focus or “mind set” compared with what we have looked at today.

Their end is destruction vs. resurrection in Christ

Their god is their belly (self-worship) vs. gain of knowing (experiencing) Christ

They glory in their shame (pride in sin) vs. righteousness by faith

The “keep your eyes on” is a contrast to the “watch out” in verse 2. There we watch to avoid, here we watch to imitate. These “dogs” and “enemies” are also in stark contrast to all the encouragements in the past 2 chapters and we should be able to spot them easily and avoid not only following them but their snares to keep us from God’s path of righteousness as well.

The final contrast with these men is that their minds are set on earthly things as if it was their final resting place or their “true home” but Paul shows us that for believers and followers of Christ this is not true.

Philippians 3:20–21 ESV

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 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.

Philippi had been made a military colony of Rome. Citizens in Philippi could readily grasp the idea of living in one place while possessing citizenship in a distant place. By his use of the inclusive pronoun our, Paul reminded readers that both he and they were in possession of an earthly abode while their true citizenship is in heaven. To the extent they understood their heavenly destiny, their heavenly hope overshadowed their earthly realities. [LifeWay Adults (2020). (p. 49). Explore the Bible: Adult Leader Guide - ESV - Fall 2021. LifeWay Press. Retrieved from https://read.lifeway.com]

The power = “energy” of his resurrection is the same power the enables him to subject “all things” which includes death and hell.

Part of the hope that we have as followers of Christ is the future “resurrection” and “perfection” we will have after the life here on earth is over. Paul reminds us that we are heirs and citizenship in a kingdom that is more powerful than Rome, or any other human government established, for it ruler has “all things” in subjection to Him. This is very encouraging to me, and I often remind myself of this truth when the “earthly things” seem to be gaining ground, slowing my progress, or discouraging spiritual truths. We are pilgrims passing through, but we need to act as “royal ambassadors” not a raiding party.

Apply the Text

We have Paul, the apostles and great many more examples cheering us on in the long-distance race of sanctification.

Hebrews 12:1 ESV

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

The only way for us to maintain this proper mindset is through faith in Christ alone. This in turn helps us continue in His strength (Php 4:13) toward the goal of being more like Him. We have to maintain a disciplined commitment to Christ and God’s ways to ensure that we run the race in a worthy manner and not be disqualified (1Cor 9:27). Part of the way that we can prevent the things of this world from entrapping us and slowing our growth in Christ is the hope that we have in heaven and God’s assurance we will one day be “complete” (Php 1:6).

We are called to becomes more like Christ the moment were accept His gracious gift of eternal life even though we are not completed until He calls us to our true home, he sustains and builds us up toward that goal while we remain on the earth.

The quarterly has a good idea about making goal for spiritual growth. If you are like many of us, we do not obtain goals that are not set. Think through all the things that we have discussed thus far in Philippians. Try and make plans to “lay aside” or “put on” something for the betterment of your spiritual life. (Eph 4:22-24)