PHILIPPIANS – Chapter Three
A COMMENTARY ON THE BOOK OF PHILIPPIANS
By Michael K. Farrar, O.D.
© God’s Breath Publications
Chapter Three
“Desire to KNOW Christ”
In Philippians chapter three we find some very interesting scripture passages and others that are rather challenging. Paul appears to be addressing some issues in the first part of this chapter that relate to some Jewish pressures on the Christian community. Verse one states:
“1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you.”
Here Paul is encouraging the Christians at Philippi to rejoice in the Lord. Rejoicing in the facts that they fully knew; that they were saved by the Lord, empowered to live a righteous life by the power of the Holy Spirit and that they were loved by God the Father. These are all reasons to rejoice in their loving relationship with God and these facts apply to us today. Paul goes on to say that to write spiritually instructive letters to them is no hardship or trouble for him and it is a great spiritual safeguard for them because it reminds them of their commitment to Christ and encourages them to grow in the faith. Paul had a passion for communicating the teachings of Christ to other Disciples of Christ so that it would not only fulfill his calling as an Apostle, but especially because it would establish a solid spiritual foundation of the early church.
In verse two of this chapter Paul issues a warning:
“2 Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision;”
These harsh words are meant to describe a Jewish influence that was attempting to criticize the faith of first century Christians as well as prevent Jesus’ teachings of spreading through Paul and other Christians. Some overly zealous men had the perception that Jewish heritage and religious practices were of greater merit and value than those of the Christian faith. Apparently the Jewish practice of circumcision was being flaunted as a mark of religious superiority or a requirement to be accepted by God. Many Jews often spoke of Gentiles as dogs, and here Paul is reversing the accusation back upon them. He is stating that their attitude of superiority is verification that they are the ones who are dogs, who do evil and mutilate the flesh and therefore actually assign a false religious elitism to themselves.
In verse three Paul explains where the true merit of a relationship with God lies. He states:
“3 …for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh,”
He is stating that the true circumcision, or the mark of true faith in God, is the worship of God through the Spirit by those who glory in Christ Jesus as their personal Savior and Master. This true faith is verified, not by a fleshly confidence in circumcision of flesh, but by a spiritual circumcision made possible by Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection. Therefore Paul is stating that these Christians should not be influenced by these men who are attempting to demean their commitment to Christ. The Jewish religious leaders were putting confidence in the flesh by stressing the necessity of keeping the laws of the Jewish faith to remain in fellowship with God, rather than in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ which paid for our sins and provides salvation for those who accept Him as their Lord and Savior.
Paul does not stop here with his defense of the Christian faith. He continues with submitting his credentials as a Jew. While this might appear at first to be Paul “tooting his own horn,” you will see in the verses that follow what is of ultimate value to him, and it is not his credentials as a Jew. First, let us consider Paul’s credentials in relationship to the Jewish faith in the following verses:
“4 …although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the nation 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 the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless.”
These are amazing religious qualifications according to Jewish tradition. His credentials as listed are as follows:
He was circumcised on the 8th day. (The 8th day after birth is when God instructed males to be circumcised.)
He was born as a member of the nation of Israel.
He was a member of the Jewish Tribe of Benjamin, a tribe who birthed numerous kings and leaders
He was a Hebrew of Hebrews; which means if anyone could claim Hebrew heritage, he was very qualified.
He was in regards to the Law a Pharisee; a Jew who was meticulous in observing ceremonies of the law.
He was known as someone who, in the past, had sought out to intensely persecute Christians.
He was by Jewish Law standards, found blameless in all aspects and areas of his life.
But while Paul had every right to boast if he wanted to, listen to his statements regarding the value of all these accolades in verses 7-9 of this chapter.
“7 But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, 9 and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith,…”
Basically what Paul is saying is that all these great religious achievements and qualifications that represent his dedication to God are simply rubbish to him when compared to the relationship he has with Jesus Christ.
This makes two points to the Christians at Philippi and a major point to us as modern-day Christians.
First, to those Christians at Philippi, they should not be intimidated by the criticism and boasting of these Jewish religious fanatics for Paul is stating that such Jewish credentials are no comparison to knowing Christ as Lord and Savior of one’s life.
Secondly, for the Believers at Philippi and Christians today, the privilege and value of knowing Christ as Savior and Lord should surpass anything we might lay claim to in this life. As Disciples of Christ we are children of the King, Jesus Christ. We belong to God our Heavenly Father. We are inhabited by the Holy Spirit as a seal of our salvation and who empowers us to live godly lives.
Paul continues to describe his intense desire to know Christ by sharing the following words in verses 10 and 11:
“10 …that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; 11 in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.”
When you read such words of deep intimate passion you can’t help but ask yourself the question, “Do I have such a passion to know Christ more intimately and personally?” What is your answer? I am convicted, are you?
Paul continues in verse 12-14 sharing about his desire to reach the goal of knowing Christ fully and intimately. He tells us that despite the value he places on this relationship with Jesus and his intense efforts to pursue his relationship with Christ, he has not fully realized all that it can and should be. He knows he is by no means perfected like God calls him to be in his life.
“12 Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
I believe Paul gives us a glimpse in these verses of his tenacity for running the Christian spiritual race.
First, we must understand that we will never completely realize or experience what our relationship with Christ can be in this life. When we get to Heaven, a whole new dimension will be revealed to us as to what it is to “know Christ.” In Heaven we will no longer be hindered by the influence of our sinful flesh. Our human bodies which tire, grow weary and fail us at times will be transformed into glorious eternal spiritual bodies that will last for eternity.
1 Corinthians 15:50-57
“Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory. 55 “O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; 57 but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Philippians 3:20-21
“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; 21 who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.”
1 John 3:2-3
“Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.”
Secondly, we must press onward in our quest to grow in our relationship with Christ and to serve Him to our fullest capacity. Christ saved us and in a sense “took hold of us” for the specific purpose of having a relationship with us and using us in ministry. We should seek to take hold of Christ with the same intention and passion.
Hebrews 6:1
“Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity…”
Hebrews 12:1-2
“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Philippians 3:12-16
“…but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching 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 us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; 16 however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained.”
1 Peter 2:9-10
“But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.”
Thirdly, we need to forget past failures and stumbles in our lives and press intently towards the goal or as Paul says “prize” that God has called us to. What is this prize? It is being conformed perfectly to the image of Christ and of knowing Him as intimately as we possibly can. What a challenge Paul lays before us, a challenge we can only attempt with the help of our Heavenly Father, His Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
“24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; 27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.”
Paul continues with another subtle challenge. He states in verse 15:
“15 Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you;…”
He is suggesting here that if you are a true mature believer you will understand and comprehend what he has just shared, the priority of running the Christian race in a dedicated and tenacious manner. He even suggests in this verse that if for some reason you disagree, God will make it plain to you that you should come in alignment with what he is recommending for a holy lifestyle.
Paul then proceeds with further challenges. He states in verses 16:
“16…however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained.”
He challenges the Christians at Philippi, and us today, to live up to the holy calling God has placed on our lives. We are members of the royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9) and are called to be holy as God is holy (1 Peter 1:16), so we need to live up to this calling on our lives. Then he gives another command in verse 17.
“17 Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.”
We should join with other Christians everywhere that are attempting to live holy and righteous and follow Paul’s example, as well as the example that is spoken of by all the apostles and this implies the teachings and personal example of Jesus Christ Himself.
In the next few verses (18-19) Paul contrasts the lives of those who are called by God and are striving to live for God, with those who are rebellious and live for their selfish appetites. He says:
“18 For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things.”
Paul shares that he has tears in his eyes when he speaks of those that rebel and are enemies of the cross. He weeps for them because he knows what God has in store for them. They will be destroyed because they worship the god of their selfish flesh. These individuals live for self and strive to run a race to procure and secure the things of the world and this will be their undoing.
The lives of God’s true servants are drastically different because we are aliens in a strange land. We realize that we don’t really belong on this earth and the flesh that we fight is not who we really are and this sinful flesh will be done away with completely when we enter the gates of heaven. We see this truth in the words of Paul as he ends this chapter of Philippians.
Philippians 3:20-21
“20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; 21 who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.”
These verses give us a great hope for our eternal future. But for now, as we live as servants of Christ on the earth, may we strive to run the race before us with the endurance and strength that God grants us and with a desire to know Christ intimately and completely.
All relationships take work and consistent dedication and our relationship with Jesus is no different.
Are you working at your relationship with Christ?
Do you spend time talking to your Heavenly Father?
Are you dedicated to listening to the guidance given you by the Holy Spirit?
Dedicate yourself to building your relationship with the One and only triune God and you will be amazed at the benefits that you will receive.
Persevere and you will be able to say the same words Paul said in 2 Timothy 4:7-8,
“I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day — and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”