PHILIPPIANS -- CHAPTER 3
OUTLINE:
V. WARNINGS AGAINST JUDAISTIC FALSE TEACHERS --- 3:1--4:1.
1. The spirit of false teachers contrasted with that of
Paul -- 3:1-16.
(vs 1) "My brethren" -- same spiritual family.
"Rejoice" -- "in the Lord"
Paul had already warned them: 1:27, 28; 2:2-4; 2:14-16.
But, Paul needed to remind them of the dangers of "the
adversaries."
Thus, "no trouble," "not irksome," no task, to repeat the
warning.
For, it was good for them -- "for you it is safe."
(vs 2) JUDAISTS or JUDAIZERS:
NOTE: Beware, beware, beware -- Repetition for emphasis.
Similar to "Holy, Holy, Holy."
All these terms have reference to the same enemy.
Judaizing teachers: Gal. 1:6-9; 3:1; 5:1-12; 6:12-15.
2 Cor. 11:13.
Acts 15:6-29 (Jerusalem conference)
"Dogs" -- not a home pet, but savage scavengers.
(1) Unclean & filthy -- Prov. 26:11; Rev. 22:15.
(2) Howl & snarl -- Ps. 59:6.
(3) Greedy & shameless -- Isa. 56:11
(4) Contemptible -- 2 Sam. 9:8; 16:9; 2 Kgs. 8:13.
(5) Insolent --
(6) Cunning --
(7) Roaming --
"Workers" -- Church workers they are!!! Yet, evil.
2 Cor. 11:13; Lk. 13:27 -- "workers of iniquity"
"Concision" -- a mutilation party. Outward rites apart from
inner consecration of the heart.
An outward form -- but no inward conversion.
NOTE: Paul contrasts the "concision" with the "circumcision."
(vs 3) "the circumcision" -- Not the outward rite of the Law, but
the inward conversion. The cutting off of sin.
Cf. Rom. 2:28-29.
NOTE three parallel elements:
(1) "Who worship by the Spirit of God" -- guided by the
Spirit.
(2) "glory in Christ Jesus" -- not in the flesh, but in
the cross. 1 Cor. 2:2; Gal. 6:14.
(3) "No confidence in the flesh" -- This follows.
"flesh" -- human advantages, carnal, etc.
(vs 4) Paul turns from "WE" to "I."
If any had the right to trust in the Law, Paul did.
But, no merit in deeds of the flesh.
Could not say, "Paul did not have these, thus he Sour
grapes."
(vs 5) "eighth day" -- obedience to the Law of Moses.
"stock of Israel" -- no mixed stock here.
"Benjamin" -- highest aristocracy, top brass, Israel's elite.
"Heb. of Heb." -- purest of pure.
"Pharisee" -- strict.
"Zeal" -- Acts 9:1; 22:1ff; 1 Cor. 15:9.
"Blameless" -- as to human judgment.
(vs 7) What a reversal, what a change!!! NOW a new creature!!!
"loss" -- cf. Acts 27:10, 21, 38 -- What the owner of the
ship must have thought as the cargo was cast over
into the sea, LOST. So, likewise Paul counted these
fleshly honors as "loss." Gone!!
(vs 8) "all things" -- Nothing is more important than the excellency
of the knowledge of Christ Jesus.
"Knowledge" -- Faith is produced by hearing God's
Word (Rom 10:17), knowledge. The more knowledge
we attain to, the deeper our Faith.
"my Lord" What a personal expression. Gal. 2:20.
NOTE: Paul gave up all things the world counts so highly. His
family, his position in the Jew's religion, the Jews,
etc., He had paid the price for serving Christ. But, it
was worth it all. He had no regrets!!!
"refuse"" -- (K.J.-- "dung") the garbage dump, outcast.
(vs 9) "found in Him" -- belonging to Christ. Having the mind of
Christ. Phil. 2:5.
"righteousness" -- that which come through and by faith in
Christ Jesus.
(vs 10) "I know Him" -- Personal, trustful.
"power of His resurrection" -- Paul had seen the risen Lord.
One of the most controverted facts of the gospel.
1 Cor. 15.
"fellowship of His sufferings" -- We cannot expect to belong
to Christ without difficulties. We must suffer WITH
Him. Rom. 8:17-28.
"being conformed unto His death" -- We, too, must die and be
resurrected, Rom. 6, to have our sins remitted.
NOTE: The Christian:
(1) suffers with Christ -- Rom. 8:17.
(2) has been crucified with Him -- Rom. 6:6.
(3) died with Him -- Rom.6:8; 2 Tim. 2:11.
(4) has been buried with Him -- Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12.
(5) is made alive with Him -- Col. 2:13.
(6) has been raised with Him -- Col. 2:12; 3:1.
(7) is joint-heir with Him -- Rom. 8:17.
(8) is glorified with Him -- Rom. 8:17.
(9) is enthroned with Him -- Col. 3:1.
(10) reigns with Him -- 2 Tim. 2:12.
UNION WITH CHRIST!!!
(Vs 11) "I many attain unto..." -- Paul's great desire. To be raised
from the dead. Not only to be raised, for all shall
be raised (Jn. 5:28-29), but to be raised to hear the
words, "Enter into the joys of life." 1 Cor 15.
(vs 12) "not already attained" -- the journey was not finished.
"made perfect" -- not completed the task.
"press on" -- Still much to do!! No place to stop or coast.
No distractions.
Cf. So many accidents are caused by distractions.
God had Paul's undivided attention. Paul was
determined to finish the course.
"I was laid hold on" -- Acts 8 and 22. He was chosen by the
Lord to be a special messenger to the Gentiles.
Acts 26:16-19.
NOTE: Christ did not appear to Saul to save him, but
to qualify him to be an apostle. He was told to go
into the city to receive information that would
save him.
(vs 13) "forgetting things behind" -- the old man has been
crucified, laid aside, no longer to influence us to
do wrong.
Runner cannot keep his eyes behind him. He looks forward
to the finish line, eyes straight ahead.
Cf. Luke 9:62 -- cannot long for the world.
"one thing I do" -- single-mindedness.
"stretching forward..." -- effort expended, work to be done.
Straining every muscle, every nerve.
"before" -- success is future.
(vs 14) "I press on" -- second time for this expression.
"goal" -- that upon which one fixes his eyes.
No zig-zagging here. No hot and cold. No in and Out.
ONE SUPREME EFFORT IN LIFE. All else secondary.
"high calling" -- Eph. 1: 18-20.
2 Tim. 4:8 -- "Crown."
(vs 15) "Perfect" -- Full grown; mature; complete -- 1 Cor. 2:6;
Rom. 12:2.
Compare with verse 12 --
(1) There he is discussing finishing his life,
reaching the end,
(2) Here, Paul speaks of maturing to full grown
manhood in Christ.
There may be some point that all do not agree with what
Paul has said, but given time they shall learn. All
do not reach the same level of maturity at the same
time, but all should keep striving to attain.
(Cf. Jn. 7:17-- an honest heart keeps searching.)
(vs 16) BUT, there is only ONE rule or guide to follow.
Keep on the same course, same track.
The rule has been established -- Rule Book given -- Gal 6:16.
cf. Heb. 8:5 -- A pattern to follow: (1) Ark,
(2) Tabernacle, (3) Church.
No place to establish our own!!!
(vs 17) cf. 4:9 -- Paul left them an example to follow.
2 Thess. 3:7-9.
1 Cor 11:1 -- As I am of Christ. Paul, too, had to follow.
Phil. 2:5-8 -- Christ, our example.
Can we say, "Brethren imitate me!!!"
Others, also, are to be used as examples --
Timothy -- Phil. 2:19-24
Epaphroditus -- Phil. 2:25-30
"Mark them...." -- others were "walking" as they should.
(vs 18) "Many..." -- Some were not to be followed. -- "enemies"
"Weeping" -- great concern.
Paul was a deeply emotional person when it came to
the body of Christ Jesus, His people.
Paul's great concern for the church --2 Cor. 11:28
"enemies" -- Friends of the cross do not love the world.
1 Jn. 2:15
(vs 19) Carnal minds -- 1 Cor 3:1.
"Perdition" -- end results of the false teacher -- Note God's
wrath -- 2 Pet. 2:11-22; Jude 4, 8, 12-13.
"belly" (lowest nature) -- Rom. 16:17-18. Physical, sensual.
"mind earthly things" -- God and Heaven have no attraction
for them. They are obsessed with the fleshly things
of this world.
Whereas, Paul's glory was in the cross of Christ --
Gal 6:14.
(vs 20) "Citizenship in heaven" -- Contrasted with "earthly things"
Col. 3:3 -- "life is hid with Christ in God."
Phil. 1:21 -- "to live is Christ."
Gal. 2:20 -- "crucified with Christ."
Eph. 2:19 -- "fellow-citizens with the saints...."
"heaven" -- Jn. 14:1-4; Heb. 4:14-16.
1 Pet. 2:11 -- Here we are "sojourners, pilgrims,"
traveling toward that heavenly abode.
Rom. 12:1-2 -- The great challenge of the child of God.
"we wait" -- patiently, in faith -- Gal. 5:5.
Rom. 8:25 -- patiently enduring.
Heb. 9:28 -- waiting unto salvation.
(vs 21) "fashion anew" -- 1 Cor 15:41-49.
1 Jn. 3:1-2 -- beyond comprehension!!!
"conformed" -- 1 Cor.15:49 -- bear the image of the heavenly.
"according to His working" -- all things subject to Him.
HOW IMPORTANT: That we are subject to Him in all things.
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