Philippians 3

Philippians Chapter 3 Commentary

Overview

Philippians Chapter 3 is a crucial part of the Apostle Paul's letter to the Philippian church, delving deeply into the essence of Christian faith and the direction of a believer's life. Paul uses himself as an example to emphasize that one can never be made righteous before God through human boasting or legalistic actions. Instead, he forcefully argues for the true righteousness and hope obtained solely through the knowledge of Christ and a life that follows Him. This chapter urges believers to cast aside worldly boasts and press on relentlessly toward Christ, ultimately exhorting them to live as citizens of God's kingdom with the hope of resurrection.

Structure of the Text

Verses 1-3: Joy and Warning

Exhortation to rejoice in the Lord, and a warning against false teachers.

Verses 4-6: Paul's Past and Boasting

Listing his background and achievements that legalists might boast about.

Verses 7-11: Loss of All Things for the Sake of Christ

Considering all past boasts as loss for the sake of gaining Christ.

Verses 12-16: Pursuing Christ

Not having yet attained perfection, he presses on toward Christ.

Verses 17-21: The Believer's Duty and Hope

Exhorting believers to imitate Paul and to cherish the hope of heavenly citizenship.

Key Themes

Warning Against Legalism: Clearly states that one cannot be righteous through human actions or background.

Christ-Centered Faith: Places everything on the knowledge of Christ and a life that follows Him.

Continuous Growth and Pursuit: Not content with the present state, but continually pressing on toward Christ.

Hope of Heavenly Citizenship: Looking beyond earthly life to the hope of Christ's return and resurrection.

Section-by-Section Exposition

3:1-3: Paul intends to conclude his letter by exhorting the Philippian believers, "Rejoice in the Lord always." However, aware of the infiltration of Jewish legalists into the church who emphasize circumcision and adherence to the law, he sternly warns them, calling them "dogs," "evil workers," and "the mutilation." He declares that true circumcision is not of the flesh but of the spirit, and that those who worship God in the Spirit, glory in Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh are the true circumcised.

3:4-6: Paul enumerates his background, demonstrating that he possessed all the qualifications that legalists might boast about. He was a Jew by birth, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews. In relation to the law, he was a Pharisee zealous for it, and even persecuted the church with great zeal. He was so thorough that he could consider himself righteous according to the law.

3:7-11: However, Paul regards all these things as "rubbish" (or "dung") in comparison to gaining Christ. This is because the knowledge of Christ is supremely valuable. He desires to gain the righteousness that comes not from the law but through faith in Christ, a righteousness from God that depends on faith. He also longs to share in Christ's sufferings and to be conformed to his death, ultimately hoping to attain the resurrection from the dead.

3:12-16: Paul confesses that he has not yet attained perfection, but he presses on to lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus laid hold of him. Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, he runs toward the goal. He exhorts mature believers to have this same mindset, and if anyone has a different view, God will reveal that also to them.

3:17-21: Paul urges the Philippian believers to imitate him. He warns against many who live as enemies of the cross of Christ, stating their end is destruction. He reminds them that their citizenship is in heaven, and they eagerly await the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform their lowly bodies to be like his glorious body.

Original Language Insights

3:1 "τὸ λοιπόν" (to loipon): Means "finally," "henceforth," or "as for what remains." It is often used to introduce a concluding thought or important exhortation. (Refer to other traditional sources)

3:2 "κύνας" (kynas): Means "dogs." In that era, Jews often used this term contemptuously to refer to Gentiles. Paul uses it to turn back on the legalists, exposing their corrupt nature. (Refer to other traditional sources)

3:2 "κακοὺς ἐργάτας" (kakoùs ergátas): Means "evil workers." This refers to false teachers who distort the gospel and mislead believers.

3:2 "κατατομήν" (katatomēn): Can be translated as "mutilation" or "those who mutilate." It is used derisively to disparage the circumcision that legalists boasted about. (Refer to other traditional sources)

3:3 "πνεύματι θεοῦ λατρεύοντες" (pneumati theou latreúontes): Means "worshiping God in the Spirit." This emphasizes true worship through the inner work of the Holy Spirit, rather than external rituals.

3:8 "περισσεύω" (perisseúein): Means "to abound," "to overflow," or "to be more than." It indicates that the knowledge of Christ surpasses and enriches all else. (Refer to Korean Evangelical sources)

3:10 "σχῆμα τοῦ θανάτου αὐτοῦ" (synschḗmati toû thanátou autoû): Translated as "the fellowship of his sufferings" or "the pattern of his death," it signifies participation in Christ's death. (Refer to Korean Evangelical sources)

3:12 "διώκω" (diṓkō): Means "to pursue," "to chase," or "to strive." It denotes an ardent effort to reach a goal. (Refer to other traditional sources)

3:20 "πολίτευμα" (políteuma): Means "citizenship" or "commonwealth." It indicates that the ultimate belonging and basis of life for believers is in heaven.

Theological Perspectives — Comparative Traditions

Critique of Legalism: Various traditions emphasize the danger of legalists. Specifically, Baptist/Calvinist and Reformed traditions warn that they distort the gospel and lead believers astray. Methodist and Holiness traditions also identify them as "evil workers" and caution against them.

Christ-Centered Salvation: Presbyterian and Reformed traditions highlight Paul's view of all his boasts as loss for Christ, clarifying that salvation is solely through faith in Christ. Evangelical traditions emphasize that the knowledge of Christ is superior to all else.

Believer's Stance: Puritan and Holiness traditions stress that believers, like Paul who relentlessly pursued Christ, must strive for spiritual growth. Methodist traditions encourage participation in Christ's death and resurrection and living as heavenly citizens.

Source of Joy: Public Domain and Evangelical traditions emphasize the exhortation "Rejoice in the Lord always," clarifying that the source of joy is the Lord Himself, not circumstances.

Original Language Emphasis: Academic traditions deeply explore the nuances of words through original language, and German Pietism offers theological insights through the subtle meanings of the original texts.

Cross-References

Isaiah 56:10: Connects with the description of false prophets as "mute dogs." (Refer to Puritan sources)

Matthew 15:26: Connects with Jesus' statement to the Canaanite woman, "It is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." (Refer to Public Domain sources)

2 Corinthians 11:21-30: Paul's defense of his apostolic authority and boasting is compared with his self-boasting in Philippians 3. (Refer to Lutheran sources)

Galatians 6:13: Connects with the critique of those who are circumcised but do not keep the law themselves, yet boast. (Refer to Methodist sources)

Philippians 4:8: The phrase "finally" or "whatever is true" is revisited in Philippians 4. (Refer to Evangelical sources)

Sermon and Application Points

Discard Worldly Boasts and Boast in Christ.

We often boast based on worldly standards like education, career, wealth, or appearance, or compare ourselves to others. However, Paul considered all these as "rubbish" for the sake of gaining Christ. Our true boast is found only in Christ. Remember that the knowledge of Christ and our union with Him are our most precious possessions, and we must discover our value in Christ, not in worldly standards.

Do Not Stop Running Toward Christ.

The Christian life is not a destination but a continuous journey. Even though Paul had achieved much, he "pressed on" to lay hold of Christ. We, too, must not settle for past successes or be discouraged by failures, but continually run toward the prize for which Christ called us. We must meditate on the Word, pray, and continue the race of faith, following the guidance of the Holy Spirit for spiritual growth.

Live with the Hope of Heavenly Citizenship.

Our citizenship is in heaven. Our earthly life is temporary, and our ultimate hope lies in Christ's return and the eternal kingdom of God. When we hold this hope, we gain the strength to overcome worldly temptations and hardships. We must live as true heavenly citizens, awaiting the day when our bodies will be transformed like Christ's glorious body, and living holy and righteous lives on earth.