Philippians chapter 3 is a rich and profound passage of Scripture that encapsulates several key themes central to the Apostle Paul's theology and his pastoral heart for the church in Philippi. In this chapter, Paul addresses the issues of legalism, the surpassing value of knowing Christ, and the believer's ultimate goal of spiritual maturity and heavenly citizenship. Let’s delve into the text to unravel its main message.
Paul begins Philippians 3 with a warning against false teachers, specifically those who were advocating for a return to Jewish legalistic practices, such as circumcision, as a means of achieving righteousness. He refers to these teachers as "dogs" and "evil workers" (Philippians 3:2, ESV), strong language that underscores the seriousness with which Paul views their teachings. He contrasts their reliance on the flesh with the true circumcision, which is characterized by worshiping God in the Spirit, rejoicing in Christ Jesus, and placing no confidence in the flesh (Philippians 3:3).
Paul then uses his own life as an example. He lists his credentials, which were highly esteemed in Jewish culture: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless (Philippians 3:5-6). Despite these impressive qualifications, Paul considers them all as loss for the sake of Christ. He goes even further, saying that he counts everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus his Lord (Philippians 3:7-8).
This radical re-evaluation of what is truly valuable is at the heart of Philippians 3. Paul’s personal testimony serves to illustrate that human achievements and religious credentials are worthless compared to the value of knowing Christ. This knowledge of Christ is not merely intellectual but deeply relational and transformative. Paul speaks of his desire to "gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith" (Philippians 3:8-9).
Paul’s emphasis on faith over works echoes the central message of the Gospel: that righteousness is a gift from God, received through faith in Jesus Christ, rather than something earned through human effort. This is a consistent theme in Paul’s writings, as seen in Ephesians 2:8-9, where he declares that it is by grace we have been saved, through faith, and not by works, so that no one can boast.
In the following verses, Paul expresses his deep longing to know Christ more fully. He desires to know the power of Christ’s resurrection and to participate in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead (Philippians 3:10-11). This passage reveals Paul’s passionate pursuit of an experiential and transformative relationship with Christ. It is a call to believers to seek a deeper, more intimate knowledge of Jesus, which involves sharing in His sufferings and being conformed to His death, with the hope of sharing in His resurrection.
Paul then shifts to an athletic metaphor to describe the Christian life. He acknowledges that he has not yet attained perfection but presses on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of him (Philippians 3:12). He forgets what is behind and strains toward what is ahead, pressing on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called him heavenward in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:13-14). This imagery of running a race encapsulates the dynamic and forward-moving nature of the Christian life. It is a journey marked by perseverance, focus, and an ever-increasing desire to know Christ and become like Him.
Paul’s exhortation to the Philippians is not just about personal spiritual growth but also about communal harmony and unity. He encourages all who are mature to take such a view of things and assures them that if they think differently on some point, God will make it clear to them (Philippians 3:15). He urges them to live up to what they have already attained and to follow his example, as well as the example of others who live according to the pattern he has given them (Philippians 3:16-17).
In the final section of the chapter, Paul contrasts the mindset of those who live as enemies of the cross of Christ with that of the believers whose citizenship is in heaven. He describes the enemies of the cross as those whose destiny is destruction, whose god is their stomach, and whose glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things (Philippians 3:18-19). In contrast, believers are called to fix their eyes on their heavenly citizenship and eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform their lowly bodies to be like His glorious body (Philippians 3:20-21).
This eschatological hope is a powerful motivator for holy living and perseverance. It reminds believers that their ultimate goal is not found in this world but in the world to come. The promise of transformation and the return of Christ provide encouragement and strength to press on in the faith, despite the challenges and sufferings they may face.
In summary, the main message of Philippians chapter 3 can be encapsulated in the following key points:
-
Warning Against Legalism: Paul warns the Philippians to beware of false teachers who advocate for legalistic practices, emphasizing that true righteousness comes through faith in Christ, not through human effort or adherence to the law.
-
The Surpassing Value of Knowing Christ: Paul uses his own life as an example to illustrate that all human achievements and religious credentials are worthless compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. This knowledge is deeply relational and transformative.
-
Pursuit of Spiritual Maturity: Paul encourages believers to press on toward spiritual maturity, using the metaphor of running a race. This involves forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, with the goal of becoming more like Christ.
-
Heavenly Citizenship and Eschatological Hope: Paul contrasts the mindset of those who live as enemies of the cross with that of believers whose citizenship is in heaven. He reminds believers of their ultimate hope in the return of Christ and the transformation of their bodies, which motivates holy living and perseverance.
Philippians chapter 3 is a powerful and inspiring passage that calls believers to a deeper, more intimate relationship with Christ, a rejection of legalism, and a focus on their heavenly citizenship and ultimate hope in Christ's return. It challenges us to reassess our values, priorities, and goals in light of the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus and to live lives marked by faith, perseverance, and a longing for our eternal home.
