Confidence in the Flesh or The Great Exchange
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Introduction
Introduction
There is much talk about privilege these days. People talk about white privilege, male privilege, and I have heard about people discussing the concept of non-disabled privilege. The concept is that because you some people were either born a certain way, because of the way society is set up, some groupings or classifications of people have more societal power, influence, or advantage than other people who are not in that grouping. That classification is sometimes viewed through the lens of ethnicity, wealth, gender, etc.
Today in India there is a caste system, which is a hierarchical systems of classes in society where the kinds of jobs you can get, the education that is available, and who you can marry are all determined simply by what family you were born into. The highest caste is for priests and teachers, then there is a caste for warriors and rulers, one for farmers, traders, and merchants, one for laborers, and then the lowest class, the untouchables, and the only suitable jobs for people of such a caste are jobs like street sweepers and bathroom janitors. When India established their modern constitution they sought to provide equality and break away from the caste system, but because the system has been in place for hundreds of years, society doesn’t break out so easily. So it may be possible for a lower-level caste individual to get a job above what historically would have been possible, but it is still difficult for them to marry outside their caste. Those who do, even do this day, face the potential of violence, social boycott, family boycott, or even death by honor killing.
If you are a high-level caste member, you do not just give that up! You are born into a privileged position, one that is envied by all others of lower caste. To surrender that is scandalous and foolish. Though things are less extreme in American culture there are places and times when someone wealthy from the upper class seeks to marry a poorer middle or lower class individual. It’s scandalous for the family.
This is societal privilege. What about religious privilege? What if you were born into the most perfect religious family that it gained you both privilege in society but also before God?
Of course, we would, and should, scoff at that idea. Biblically we know it doesn’t work that way.
But if it were to work that way, it would be true of the apostle Paul.
Turn with me to Phil chapter 3.
Paul had reason to believe that he was special. If there was anyone who had a reason to have confidence in the flesh, it was him. In our text today we are going to see his 7-part argument for why he had an advantage.....and then why he was willing to give that up
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
One thing to keep in mind about the society in which the church in Philippi existed was an honor-shame culture. Public appearances were important. The highest good is to preserve your name.
This was true of the Jewish people. God’s chosen people.
This was true of the Roman culture. Citizenship, wealth, and connections to ruling class were important factors.
So as Paul begins to describe his heritage, his privilege, he is doing so in a way that everyone will understand, and that would be enviable by anyone.
Paul has just turned the common insults that the Judaizers would throw at gentiles on their heads, showing how it is the church that is the true people of God, who worship by the Spirit, who glory in Christ, and who do not put confidence in the flesh. And that it where we pick things up in verse 4. He gives this list, a list that is similar to lists of credentials given by others. The first four items show off his natural heritage, and the last three items are Paul’s personal accomplishments.
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;
1. Circumcised the eighth day.
Literally “I’m an eighth-day-er. As we’ve discussed, circumcision was the sign of the covenant people of God. His was proper. Not a Johnny come lately. Not a convert.
2. Of the People of Israel.
the language Paul uses is that racial decent. So again, he isn’t a proselyte. He was born into God’s chosen people. There is racial purity in his blood. Paul at other places acknowledges the special nature of the Israelite people:
4 They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. 5 To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.
It was not small thing to be born into God’s chosen covenant people, and to be an eighth-day-er in regard to circumcision.
But not only is he of the bloodline of Israel, but he is of the Tribe of Benjamin
3. Of the Tribe of Benjamin.
Scholars are a little split on the significance of this statement from Paul. Some say that Benjamin was a well-respected tribe. First King, loyal to David, and a variety of other good things associated with the tribe.
Others say Paul was simply announcing his citizenship. It was customary for people in those days when giving their credentials to make note of their citizenship. I’m from such and such a place. People took pride in being able to identify where they are from and how they can demonstrate their citizenship.
In either case it is clear that Paul, if he were to boast in the flesh, identifies being of the tribe of Benjamin to a significant thing. He takes pride in it.
4. a Hebrew of the Hebrews
Paul’s family lived in a gentile city....yet they were Hebrews. They were not hellenistic jews who adapted to the culture. They were true Hebrews. He spoke Hebrew and Aramaic, he was educated in Jerusalem
These things speak of his heritage, not he begins to speak of his accomplishments
5. A Pharisee
Paul was a Pharisee. This is the only references to Pharisees outside the Gospels and Acts.
The word Pharisee means “separated one”. Paul himself identified the Pharisees and being the strictest sect of the Jewish religion. They strove to keep the law in every regard, and even set up safegaurds to keep themselves back breaking a law accidentally. The Law prohibits making a long journey on the Sabbath. We going to say that such and such a number of steps is such a journey.
The Pharisees took the Law seriously. They read in the OT what God did to his people when they forsook the Law, and they were not about to let that happen again.
6. Zealous
The concept of zealousness speaks of an all consuming passion.
6 And behold, one of the people of Israel came and brought a Midianite woman to his family, in the sight of Moses and in the sight of the whole congregation of the people of Israel, while they were weeping in the entrance of the tent of meeting. 7 When Phinehas the son of Eleazar, son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose and left the congregation and took a spear in his hand 8 and went after the man of Israel into the chamber and pierced both of them, the man of Israel and the woman through her belly. Thus the plague on the people of Israel was stopped. 9 Nevertheless, those who died by the plague were twenty-four thousand. 10 And the Lord said to Moses, 11 “Phinehas the son of Eleazar, son of Aaron the priest, has turned back my wrath from the people of Israel, in that he was jealous with my jealousy among them, so that I did not consume the people of Israel in my jealousy. 12 Therefore say, ‘Behold, I give to him my covenant of peace, 13 and it shall be to him and to his descendants after him the covenant of a perpetual priesthood, because he was jealous for his God and made atonement for the people of Israel.’ ”
In the book of Maccabees we find a story of a man named Mattathias who killed a fellow Jew when he found him offering a sacrifice on a pagan alter. Mattathias is described as “burning with zeal for the Law, just as Phineas did”.
These are legendary stories to the Jews and serve as justification for acts of violence against those who would pervert the people of God. Paul speaks of his own violence in Galatians 1
13 For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. 14 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.
7. Righteousness/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
Financial terminology. Loss column. Gain column.
dung.
—not a cuss word.
used in medical texts, by philosophers, geographers, historians, religious sages, etc. not places where you’d find a cuss word.
Port -a - pot at the county fair.
Paul was willing to call his heritage fecal matter. His accomplishments are excrement.
6 We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.
until we recognize that we have nothing to offer, we will have nothing to gain.
Where is your confidence?
Maybe not in circumcision, but perhaps being born into a Christian home?
Maybe not a benjaminite, but an American? —trample on the flag or the cross?
Maybe not in keeping the OT law, but in
baptism
communion
church attendance
tithes/offerings
Would you rather have been born in a third world country, growing up malnourished and HIV positive, but die in Christ, than grow up in America, incredible wealthy and healthy, but die in your sins?
When Paul came to faith, it cost him everything. Being a Christian doesn’t cost us much right now, but that day may change. Are you willing to suffer the lose of all things?
The true people of God those who place no confidence in the flesh. Where is your confidence today?
Few Moments of silent reflection