Chapter Three
Righteousness from God Depends on Faith in Christ
3:1 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.
Paul returns to the theme of rejoicing in the Lord (see Philippians 1:18; 2:17-18, 28), The Greek words translated here as ‘finally’ are “to loipon” which refers to time remaining, in other words henceforth the following. Paul knows that he has taught the following to them in the past but wanted to write them for them as it will serve as a safeguard for their faith. But first rejoice in the Lord!
3:2 Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh.
We should begin with saying that when the Bible speaks of dogs, it is not making disparaging remarks about domesticated dogs that people have for pets, the term refers to wild scavengers that roamed in packs, ate garbage, and at times attacked people. They were despised animals and so when we read the Scriptures and find the word ‘dog’, it is a derogatory word (see Exodus 22:31; Deuteronomy 23:18; 1 Samuel 17:43; 24:14; 2 Samuel 9:8; 16:9; 1 Kings 14:11; 16:4; 21:23-24; 2 Kings 8:13; Psalm 22:16; Matthew 15:26-27; Revelation 22:15).
Paul calls the false teachers ‘dogs’, as the animal is dangerous, so is false doctrine. He further identifies those that promote and teach these lies as evildoers. Paul warns that they should be aware that they “mutilate the flesh” (one Greek word, katatomēn, cutting away, in context, those that practice circumcision) A strong statement that refers to those who preach and practice circumcision for salvation (Judaizers, click here to read more).
3:3 For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh—
Using the term ‘circumcision’ as a reference to being Jewish, Paul contrasts those that were previously circumcised from birth, as the law required, who now worship God and glory in the work of Jesus, and no longer consider circumcision something important (recognizing that there is nothing a person can do to deserve salvation or seek His favor by following the law including circumcision), to those that teach that circumcision is necessary to saved.
3:4 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.
Let’s first examine what Paul is not saying here, he is not bragging, nor is he saying that any compliance to the law is required for salvation. He is, however, saying that when it comes to compliance to the law, he refers to himself as someone who once took it very seriously and would have been considered righteous and blameless under the law (from man’s perspective).
3:7 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 9 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 rightfully starts this section with a ‘but,’ since the law cannot save (see Romans 8:2-8; Hebrews 10:1-4), he uses himself as an example of one that complied with the law (as much as a human can), but now he considers that compliance worthless, knowing what Jesus has done. Paul expresses that he counts everything in the past “as loss” because of the surpassing worth (Greek hyperechon, holding one above the other, superior) of knowing (Greek gnōseõs, it is interesting to note that this is not a verb, it is a noun which refers to knowledge obtained from direct involvement) Christ Jesus. And for His sake, Paul discarded everything else, which he now considers it all as garbage, to gain and be found in Him (see below). He clarifies by noting that he does not possess any righteousness from complying with the law, but does possess the righteousness that comes through faith in Christ. He further clarifies by adding “the righteousness from God that depends on faith.”
Mankind cannot produce the righteousness that is acceptable to God. First, it would require beginning life with a clean slate, which is impossible since all humans are born in sin (see Romans 3:23; 5:12-19). Secondly, compliance would need to be flawless, doing one thing wrong would make one guilty (see James 2:10). So, in other words, it’s not humanly possible. Which is why God the Father sent His Son to be born of a virgin, live a sinless life, suffer, die, and raise to life again to conquer death, and provide righteousness for all of humanity. When a believer accepts Jesus and repents of their sins His righteousness is imputed to them at that time (see 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24, see below).
3:10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
Earlier Paul had expressed that he had direct knowledge of Jesus (see verse eight) and here he is now expressing his desire to have even a greater knowledge of Jesus and, in addition, the power of His resurrection. He knew that there was no ‘power’ available from the law, but the power of Jesus’ resurrection was real and he knew it could overcome the power of death for himself and all other believers. Paul also desired to share (Greek koinōnian, to participate in, fellowship in) his sufferings, he is not saying that he wants to be crucified, but is willing to suffer the same persecutions as Jesus suffered to spread the gospel message. Paul had an extraordinary heart for people and was willing to endure hardships for the sake of others (see Romans 9:3). The translation of verse eleven varies significantly among English Bibles. Here the text “by any means possible” is the Greek word pōs, it is an interrogative reference to means, asking how, or by what means? Paul is saying that by him knowing Jesus; understanding the power of God; sharing in the persecutions of Jesus (he would not be persecuted if he was not saved and active in preaching the gospel); and becoming like Jesus in His death which was followed by His resurrection (see Romans 6:5); that he (Paul) will attain (the word ‘may’ is not in the original text) the resurrection from the dead and never return to the grave.
Considerations
Knowing Christ Jesus
To say that knowing Jesus is important for a believer would be, perhaps, the greatest understatement one can say! Jesus Himself said, “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me,” (John 10:14, ESV, emphasis added) and then later John records Jesus’ prayer to His Father in heaven just prior to His arrest, “And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” (John 17:3, ESV, emphasis added) Believers know God the Father and Jesus. How do we know Jesus? There is only one source, the Word of God, and we learn from the same writer who first introduced Jesus as, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:1-5, ESV) Knowing Jesus is not an option!
We should never rest until we know Him as we know our friend, and are able to read without speech the movements of His soul. We should know by a quick intuition what will please and what will hurt His pure and holy nature. We should know where to find Him; should be familiar with His modes of thought and methods of action; should understand and identify ourselves with His goings forth, as, day by day, He goes through the world healing a saving. What a difference there is between the knowledge which the man in the street has of some public character and that which is vouchsafed to the inner circle of his home; and we must surely know Christ, not as a stranger who turns in to visit for the night, or as the exalted King of men,—there must be the inner knowledge as of those whom He counts His own familiar friends, whom He trusts with His secrets, who eat with Him of His bread (Psalm 41:9).
To know Christ in the storm of battle; to know Him in the valley of shadow; to know Him when the solar light irradiates our faces, or when they are darkened with disappointment and sorrow; to know the sweetness of his dealing with bruised reeds and smoking flax; to know the tenderness of His sympathy and the strength of His right hand—all this involves many varieties of experience on our part, but each of them, like the facets of a diamond, will reflect the prismatic beauty of His glory from a new angle.[1]
Gain Christ Jesus
At the end of verse eight, Paul notes that he suffered loss of all things in order to gain Christ. He is saying that he had to let go of those things that prevented him from seeking and accepting Jesus. For him it was his striving to keep the law, pursuing a form of self-righteousness, that prevented him from seeing the truth. We too need to lose to gain. Jesus did all the work for our salvation, all we have to do is let go of any intellectual barriers, traditions that promote a form of self-righteousness, any presuppositions that point elsewhere for salvation, etc., and accept His free gift.
In Christ Jesus
Paul often refers to either being “in Christ” or “in Him” (over seventy times in his epistles) referring to our relationship with Jesus. Paul wrote, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20, ESV) As believers, we know that Jesus bought us out of slavery from sin and death with His blood (see 1 Corinthians 6:20; 1 Peter 1:18-19). We are in Him and He is in us, He is always with us.
Imputed?
The word ‘imputed’ is both a legal and a financial term, referring to the moving of something from one person (or account) and giving it to another. In theology it is used in two very different ways: 1) describing sin (click here for more information regarding the various classifications of sin); and 2) righteousness. When a person accepts Jesus as their Savior, His righteousness is transferred to them (see Romans 4:3-5; 2 Corinthians 5:21). Click here to read a excellent article at the GotQuestions.org website.
Straining Forward and Pressing on Toward the Goal
3:12 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 verse is another often-debated passage as some incorrectly interpret it as Paul inferring that he, through efforts of his own, can pursue perfection. Paul is acknowledging that he is still a sinner and can still be led into temptation and therefore he is not perfect (see Romans 7:14-25). This counters some beliefs that one becomes perfect after accepting Jesus. Paul is encouraging believers to always pursue growing in their faith, to grow spiritually stronger (see 1 Corinthians 9:24; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 12:9; Colossians 1:29; 2 Thessalonians 2:14; 1 Timothy 6:12). As believers our lives should be dedicated to the ongoing pursuit of being more “Christ like.” Paul will explain how to do that in the remaining verses in this chapter.
3:13 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, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.
Paul’s first point in the pursuit of growing stronger in our faith is to forget about the past, not the lessons we learned from our past, but to stop dwelling on or thinking about how things could have been different. Instead, we need to focus our attention on the things of the future. Paul often used athletic metaphors and here he talks about pressing on toward the goal, like a runner in a marathon that extends their hand stretching holding the baton out a little further. Paul notes that those that are spiritually mature will have already thought this and have applied the extra effort to do God’s will. For those that think otherwise, Paul says God will reveal that truth to them (remember James 1:5-6, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.” ESV). Paul advises that we are to hold true to what we have already attained, in other words try not to backslide!
3:17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.
The ultimate goal in life for a believer is to be more Christ-like, as he is the ultimate model for us. Paul understood that not being able to see and observe a physical role model like Jesus to emulate would be difficult, so he suggests that he could be someone to watch and imitate. Even though Paul had told them before, he notes, with tears in his eyes, that some “Christian’s” conduct sadly demonstrate that they are really enemies of the cross of Christ, and are heading for destruction, as their god is their stomach, still having an appetite for lusts, plus they brag about shameful things, and are focused on the things of this world.
3:20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 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.
Paul identifies believers as being citizens of heaven, God’s kingdom, not earth (see John 8:23; 15:19; 17:14-16; 18:36; 1 John 2:16; 4:5). From which believers await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our bodies to be like His (see Romans 8:29; Colossians 3:4). He will take our perishable (mortal) bodies and change them into something truly glorious and imperishable. Paul say Jesus can do this transformation using the same power that allows Him to bring everything under His control.
What if we are still a work in progress? Well, that identifies every believer! We need to remember how Paul opened this epistle, “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6, ESV) He does the work in us, including this final transformation into our eternal bodies.
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[1] Meyer, F. B. (1912). The Epistle to the Philippians: A Devotional Commentary (p. 163). The Religious Tract Society.