Sunday Sermons
Philippians 3a
Philippians
3:7-11
3:7 “But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ”
“All the things which I once held to be gains” (TCNT). “The various items of privilege are regarded separately” (Vincent p. 446). This tells us that Paul was not a dissatisfied Jew. He was completely satisfied with his Jewish life and extremely proud of the above attainments, right up until the time that he encountered Jesus. “Counted”: “Perfect tense, to reach a state that remained with him even now; hence, no regrets” (Jackson p. 66). Notice the singular "loss". Paul now counts the above "gains" as one big loss.
Paul did see the advantage of being raised a Jew (Romans 3:1; 9:4-5), yet if such advantages keep one from becoming a Christian, that is, “If one's observance of religious ritual, one's status due to birth, one's outstanding accomplishments due to innate intelligence or sustained effort, and so on, should ever make that person proud or self-reliant, unaware of his need of God, Paul had to abandon his past advantages precisely because they were the very things that kept him from coming to God. They kept him from surrendering to Christ” (Hawthorne p. 136). The modern application: Whatever is hindering you from submitting to Christ; whatever presently makes you think that you really do not need Jesus (you are a good moral person, a hard worker, highly intelligent, self-sufficient, well-organized, and so on) is a "loss" (hindrance), rather than a help. Erdman makes the following point: “The conversion of Saul of Tarsus and his sudden transformation forms, indeed, one of the strongest arguments in support of belief in the supreme miracle, namely, the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Unless on the way to Damascus, Saul met this living Lord, it is impossible to give a rational explanation of so sudden a change in all his views of life and its values” (p. 112). It is a point well taken and not to be casually dismissed. How did such a content and self-sufficient Pharisee make such a radical change? Remember, this change did not take years, but only days and weeks (Acts 9:9-20).
3:8 “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”
“I even reckon all things as pure loss” (Wey) “Position, wealth, reputation, so on” (Jackson p. 66). “All that he had formerly prized and valued, all that the world had to offer, he counted to be loss, a real liability, an actual disadvantage, if they stood between himself and Christ” (Erdman p. 117). “All things”: Whatever might compete with Christ for his allegiance. “The surpassing value”: “The exceeding value” (TCNT); “priceless privilege” (Wey); “the supreme advantage” (Gspd); “the ultimate value”. “At one time Paul surpassed all the young men of his age in Pharisaic zeal and false Jewish merit (Gal. 1:14); now he has found a far different ‘surpassingness’” (Lenski p. 836). “Of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord”: The reason that Paul can count all such external advantages as a loss, is that Jesus had showed him that all such things are vain in finding acceptance with God. The very fact that Jesus appeared to this successful Pharisee was proof that all his great previous accomplishments had failed to atone for his sins (Acts 22:16). Paul is saying that to which Jesus opened up his eyes, is worth far more than anything he had previously attained. See Jeremiah 9:23-24. “For whom I have suffered the loss of all things”: “Even esteem, friendship, enjoyment, rest and relations” (Muller p. 113). The above expression contains so much that is left unsaid by Paul. In becoming a Christian, Paul is accepting the fact that Jesus was the Lord and that salvation is not found in Judaism. Paul had probably lost friends, family members, wealth, prestige, a comfortable lifestyle, and all the perks of being the pride and joy of the Jewish nation (2 Corinthians 11:22-33; 6:4-10). “Count them but rubbish”: “What is thrown to the dogs”. “Dung, muck, as food gone bad”. “That I may gain Christ”: “Paul has given up all other forms of ‘gain’ in order that he might get the true ‘gain’ which is Christ. Or in other words, were Paul to place the whole world with its wealth and power and advantages, its prestige and accolades and rewards in one scale pan of the balance and Christ in the other, Christ alone would overwhelming outweigh everything else in terms of real worth. Hence, from the standpoint of simple logic Paul cannot afford to gain the whole world if it means losing Christ (Mark 8:36; Matthew 16:26; Luke 9:25)” (Hawthorne p. 139). The language is very strong! But it must be. There are so many things that seek to compete with Christ in this life.
3:9 “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”
“May be found in Him”: Paul was already "in Christ" (Gal. 3:26-27). The word "found" suggests that Paul might be looking to the final day, for it is vain to be "in Christ" now, if one does not remain faithful and is found outside of Christ at death when Jesus comes again (2 Tim. 2:11-13). “Not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law”: Realizing that following the Law of Moses cannot make one right with God,
Paul had spent the first part of his life depending upon the flawless observance of the Law of Moses to make him right with God. He now realized that such was a vain task, for nobody ever keeps the law perfectly (Romans 3:23; 7:8-11). “But that which is through faith in Christ”: A right standing before God cannot be accomplished by works of human merit (Titus 3:5),being a good moral person (Acts 10:1-2; 11:13-14), or by flawlessly observing the Law of Moses. The only way to find favor with God is to humbly submit, in obedient faith to the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 3:23-26). The path to salvation and acceptance is the path of forgiveness (Romans 4:1-8). The faith or basis of faith in this verse includes more than mere mental assent, for the New Testament links acceptance with God (righteousness), to repentance (Acts 2:38); confession (Romans 10:9-10), and baptism (Mark 16:16). Thus all those things are included in the category of the type of faith that finds favor with God. Hawthorne makes the following comment: “Faith, therefore is not intellectual assent but the act of personal trust in and self-surrender to Christ. It is the movement of one's whole soul in confidence out toward Christ. It is the yes of the whole personality to the fact of Christ” (p. 141).
3:10 “that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death”
“That I may know Him”: “For my determined purpose is that I may know Him” (Amp). Obviously, more than just knowing about Him. A knowledge that is intimate and personal. “In the Old Testament where to know Jehovah means to revere Him, to be consecrated to Him (Prov. 1:7; Isa. 11:2; Hab. 2:14)” (Hendriksen p. 167). “He wishes to become entirely wrapped up in Christ, so that Jesus will be all the world to him” (p. 167) (John 17:3; 1 John 2:4; 4:8; 5:20). Paul longed for as much of Christ as he could get. He never reached the point of satisfaction in his knowledge of Christ. He never said, “I do not think that I can learn anything more about Christ”. He longed and hungered for the most intimate relationship with Christ that was humanly possible, then wanted more of Christ after this life (1:21-23). Such makes us seriously think about our current relationship with Christ. How much of God do we want? Heaven is not an eternal vacation. It is not an amusement park for Christians. Heaven is an imitate relationship with God. Like David, Paul had a thirst for God (Psalm 42:1-2).
“And the power of His resurrection”: This involves something more than Paul's own resurrection from the dead at the last day. “He wishes to know Him alive and creatively at work to save him from himself, to transform him from bad to good, to propel him forward toward a life of service to others to resurrect him from death in sin to life in God (Romans 6:4-11)” (Hawthorne pp. 143-144). The resurrection of Jesus Christ proclaims: I can be forgiven. A New life is a reality (Colossians 2:12-13). One can die to self (Galatians 2:20). One can put off the old man (Romans 6:6). One can cease being a slave to sin (Romans 6:6). One can serve God effectively (Romans 6:13,16). One can be released from the preoccupation with this earthly life (Colossians 3:1-2). Paul wanted to realize all these truths to the fullest possible extent. Do we? “Fellowship of His sufferings”: “All that it means to share His sufferings” (TCNT) (Col. 1:24). “Nor does he show any spirit of self-pity in speaking thus: it was an honor to share in the sufferings of Christ” (Bruce p. 116) (Acts 5:41). “This does not mean sharing the atoning and redemptive suffering of Christ on the cross, but it means a personal dying to sin the crucifying of the flesh, and suffering for the sake of Christ and His cause” (Muller p. 116). “To use the words of the Master, to take up his cross daily (Luke 9:23)” (Erdman p. 119).
“Becoming”: Present tense. “Conformed”: “Sharing the likeness of His death” (Con) (Galatians 2:20; Romans 6:5-6). Paul is saying that Jesus unselfishly died for our sins (2:5-8), and so he was willing to strive and long for a conformity with that death, that he would die to the practice of sin and selfishness (2 Cor. 5:14-15).
Hawthorne puts it this way, “Paul strives to make the effects of that death an ever-present reality within himself by his own constant choice to consider himself in fact dead to sin and alive to God (cf. Rom 6:11), to conform his practice in the world to his position in Christ, to renounce his own selfish desires and say ‘yes’ to Christ who calls him to take up his cross daily” (p. 145).
3:11 “In order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead”:
Paul may be referring to the goal of being resurrected with all the believers, yet everyone will be resurrected (John 5:28-29),both good and evil. In addition, Paul can in some sense be with Christ, even before the resurrection of his body (1:21-23). Hence, it seems to me that the resurrection from the dead in this passage refers to the resurrection from the old life of sin. “It may suggest that in consequence of sharing Christ's sufferings and conforming to His death (cf. Romans 6:11), that Paul could live "as a victorious, risen man" (Jackson p. 70).
Mark Dunagan/Beaverton Church of Christ/503-644-9017
www.beavertonchurchofchrist.net/mdunagan@easystreet.com
Philippians 3:12 Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect: but I press on, if so be that I may lay hold on that for which also I was laid hold on by Christ Jesus.
'NOT THAT I HAVE ALREADY OBTAINED'-'I do not say that, I do not mean that..The statement is made by the apostle to prevent a possible misunderstanding as if he had already attained perfection.' (Muller p. 120)
'OBTAINED'- i.e. to take or get hold of. Obtained those things mentioned in 3:10-11, to their fullest degree.
'OR AM ALREADY MADE PERFECT'-5048. teleioo {tel-i-o'-o}; from 5046; to complete, i.e. (literally) accomplish, or (figuratively) consummate (in character): -consecrate, finish, fulfil, make) perfect.
- 'to attain the aim, to carry through to the end, to make perfect or whole' (Muller p. 121)
Points to Note:
1. 'The formalist is commonly self-satisfied and complacent. His religion consists in performing certain external rites or else in subscribing to some written creed...To Paul the Christian life was something quite different. It consisted in a personal knowledge of Christ, submission to his will, trust in him, and in a continuous effort to attain to his moral perfection.' (Erdman pp. 120-121)
2. 'Paul has been a Christian for years; yet at no point during those years, not even in the recent past, could he say, "I am done!"' (Lenski p. 846)
3. 'Paul pointedly denies that he has reached a spiritual impasse of non-development. Certainly he knew nothing of so-called sudden absolute perfection by any single experience..' (Robertson p. 454)
4. The good news is that the verse implies that "perfection" will come, not in this life, but the life to come. We will finally be released from all selfishness and sin. We will finally be able to serve God, completely unhindered by self-pity, pride, lust, etc...(Revelation 22:3-4)
5. Here is a warning to the "self-satisfied" Christian who thinks that they don't have anything else to learn from Bible study. Most definitely, Paul felt that one never retires from being a Christian and from fervently pursuing Christ and His will.
6. Paul was probably in his late fifties or early sixties when he wrote this letter. He had been a Christian for almost 30 years. He was an inspired man which a tremendous depth of experience. AND YET, HE WASN'T ABOUT TO SLACK OFF. Therefore, all "slackers" among professed Christians are without excuse.
'BUT'-Notice what Paul didn't say. In view of the fact that spiritual perfection still wasn't in his grasp yet. Paul didn't get discouraged. Rather, it only further motivated him to keep up the effort.
'I PRESS ON'-1377. dioko {dee-o'-ko}; a prolonged (and causative) form of a primary verb dio (to flee; compare the base of 1169 and 1249); to pursue (literally or figuratively); by implication, to persecute: -ensue, follow (after), given to, (suffer) persecute(-ion), press forward.
-'The continuous present would be better, I am pressing' (Vincent p. 449) 'He keeps up the chase' (Robertson p. 455)
Point to Note:
Paul was a man in pursuit of God. Like Jacob of old, he wouldn't let go of God until he received the blessing (Genesis 32:24-32) A man determined to not miss heaven, a man who wasn't content to just have "some" or "a little" of Jesus Christ. A man who wouldn't rest until he was resting with God Himself!
'IF SO BE THAT I MAY LAY HOLD'-'if also I may get to capture, since also I got captured by Christ Jesus' (Lenski p. 847)
'LAY HOLD'-2638. katalambano {kat-al-am-ban'-o}; from 2596 and 2983; to take eagerly, i.e. seize, possess, etc. (literally or figuratively): -apprehend, attain, come upon, comprehend, find, obtain, perceive, (over-)take.
-'to overtake, to get hold of, seize, to grasp' (Muller p. 122)
Points to Note:
1. 'Paul's goal now is to fulfill the ideal that Christ had for him.' (Jackson p. 71) (Acts 20:24)
2. Paul was "apprehended" (KJV), by Christ Jesus on the road to Damascus. Christ laid hold of him for personal salvation and to be his messenger to the Gentiles. Paul said to himself, 'I must strive to make this desire of God, a reality.'
3. When we refuse to grow spiritually or remain faithful, we are frustrating God's desire for our own lives (2 Peter 3:9). The failure to work out my own salvation (2:12), thus becomes a decision to defiantly stand in opposition to the will of God for my life.
Philippians 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself yet to have laid hold: but one thing {I do}, forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before.
'I COUNT NOT MYSELF YET TO HAVE LAID HOLD'-'Brothers, I do not consider that I have captured it yet' (Gspd).
'COUNT'-'even after a further careful weighing of the evidence..a verb meaning "to calculate precisely"..What then is to be done? There is only one thing..one must press on' (Hawthorne pp. 152-153) 'I do not imagine that I have gained perfection yet or fully attained the purpose for which I was summoned.' (Bruce p. 121)
'BUT ONE THING I DO'-'I do concentrate on this' (Phi). The Christian must have singleness of purpose (2 Cor. 5:9).
'FORGETTING THE THINGS WHICH ARE BEHIND'-
Points to Note:
1. 'There are some persons who allow their moral and spiritual progress to be hindered by the burdens of memory. They fix their minds so definitely upon past experiences that they have no strength and no courage for present effort.' (Erdman p. 123)
2. 'In the Christian life there is no room for a person who desires to rest upon his laurels.' (Barclay p. 66) Thus past success and failure cannot be allowed to slow the Christian down in the present. The Christian isn't allowed to take a spiritual nap and neither is he "excused" from the need for present growth and activity.
'Forget those wrongs done...whose memory could paralyze one with guilt and despair. Forget, too, those attainments so far achieved as a Christian, the recollection of which might cause one to put life into neutral and to say, "I have arrived"...He wishes also to express the importance of continuous concentration on the things that are in front.' (Hawthorne p. 153)
3. Unfortunately, many Christians today are spiritually paralyzed by something that happened in the past-i.e. family problems, personal problems, church problems, etc...Paul refused to live in the past and he absolutely refused to allow the past to influence the present in a negative sense. Paul could never forget that he had once persecuted the Church, but Paul always used the "bad things" in the past for positive motivation (1 Cor. 15:9-10; 1 Tim. 1:13-15).
'STRETCHING FORWARD'-'straining every nerve for that which lies in front' (TCNT) 'The verb used here is very descriptive, and calls to mind the attitude of a runner on the course, who with body bent forward, hand stretched to the fore, and eye fixed on the goal, strains forward with the utmost exertion in pursuit of his purpose.' (Muller p. 124) 'Live full out now...unceasingly reach out toward...' (Hawthorne p. 153)
'is used of a racer going hard for the tape...It describes the man who is going flat out for the finish..' (Barclay p. 66)
'TO THE THINGS WHICH ARE BEFORE'-i.e. those things mentioned in 3:9-11.
Point to Note:
In contrast to Paul's attitude, how lazy, selfish, and pitiful the Christian looks who asks, 'What is the bare minimum required of me?'
Philippians 3:14 I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
'TOWARD THE GOAL'-'Bear down upon' (Vincent p. 450) 'I strain to reach the end of the race' (Tay).
'GOAL'-'the goal-marker. It is that post at the end of the race upon which the runner fixes his attention' (Hawthorne p. 154)
'UNTO THE PRIZE'-which is now mentioned (2 Tim. 4:8)
'OF THE HIGH CALLING OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS'-'the prize of God's heavenward call' (Wey); 'God's heavenly calling' (Con). Every Christian has been called by the gospel (2 Thess. 2:14). It is a heavenly or upward calling, i.e. it originates in Heaven and calls us to Heaven (Heb. 3:1). The reward or prize offered by this calling is eternal life (Titus 1:2; Romans 6:23).
'IN CHRIST JESUS'-You cannot receive eternal life without Jesus Christ (John 14:9).
Point to Note:
Thus from the context we learn that eternal life involves: (a) An intimate and full knowledge of Jesus Christ (3:10). (b) The complete release from "self" (3:10-11). (c) Perfection (3:12). Unhindered and perfect service rendered to God. Complete and total satisfaction, happiness and fulfillment (Revelation 21:4). Hendriksen notes, 'With all his heart the apostle desired to be completely raised above sin.' (p. 174)
Maybe that is the reason that we tend to slack off at times, i.e. our own sin and selfishness doesn't seem to bother us as it should.
Philippians 3:15 Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, be thus minded: and if in anything ye are otherwise minded, this also shall God reveal unto you:
'LET US THEREFORE'-This level of spirituality and maturity is required of all Christians!
'AS MANY AS ARE PERFECT'-5046. teleios {tel'-i-os}; from 5056; complete (in various applications of labor, growth, mental and moral character, etc.); neuter (as noun, with 3588) completeness: -of full age, man, perfect.
-'full-grown' (Rhm); 'faith is mature' (TCNT). (Hebrews 5:14)
'BUT THUS MINDED'-i.e. embrace the attitude expressed in 3:12-14. 'Let this be our resolve' (Rhm); 'think thus' (TCNT). 'Lit., think this or have this mind' (Vincent p. 451) Present tense, 'let us keep on thinking this'.
Points to Note:
1. 'Whoever is "perfect" or "mature" must not be characterized by indolent self-satisfaction, but by definite and purposeful endeavour.' (Muller p. 126) 'One evidence of spiritual immaturity is the claim of spiritual perfection. Those who know Christ best are most conscious of the many stages yet to be run before they attain the goal.' (Erdman p. 125)
2. Thus the mature Christian: (a) Realizes his or her own short-comings. Clearly sees their faults and sins (1 John 1:8-10) (b) Realizes how much growth is still demanded of them. (c) Never feels that they can afford to "slack off".
3. This suggests that spiritual maturity doesn't equal spiritual tranquility. Mature Christians will be restless Christians, i.e. never completely satisfied with their efforts, always looking for more opportunities, never satisfied with their character or moral attainments and frustrated with their moral flaws and short-comings (1 Cor. 9:27).
'AND IF IN ANYTHING YE ARE OTHERWISE MINDED, THIS ALSO SHALL GOD REVEAL UNTO YOU'-'and if in anything you have a different attitude' (NASV).
Points to Note:
1. Clearly Paul isn't saying, 'If you don't agree with me on this point, that is OK.' (2 Thess. 3:6,14)
2. Neither is Paul saying that God will reveal truth to them, apart from the writings or preaching of inspired men (Eph. 3:3-5; 1 Cor. 2:9-13).
3. Neither is Paul saying, 'If you disagree with what I have just written, don't worry about it, because God will miraculously change our minds anyway.'
4. If by the phrase "otherwise minded", Paul means "if you don't see it in this way", i.e. if you disagree. It seems that Paul is saying, not that God will change their minds (for the Holy Spirit convicted through the message He delivered through the apostles), but that God will clearly reveal that such an attitude is unacceptable, i.e. God will reveal that they have the wrong attitude, either now or at the last day.
5. Paul may also be saying: (a) Room for growth and maturity is allowed. (b) And yet, God doesn't give us all the time in the world to get our thinking in line with His (Hebrews 5:12-14). (c) The babe in Christ who hadn't yet grasped the above concept, would get the concept eventually as they studied the Word of God.
Philippians 3:16 only, whereunto we have attained, by that same {rule} let us walk.
'ONLY'-i.e. the essential point to be grasped. Some suggest that this verse indicates that whatever "differences" are to be read into verse 15, are only minor ones.
'WHEREUNTO WE HAVE ATTAINED'-i.e. in having become mature, in adopting the attitude expressed in the previous verses. 'As far as we have come toward our cherished goal' (Jackson p. 72) 'we must continue to live up to that degree of success that we have already reached' (Wms)
'BY THAT SAME RULE LET US WALK'-'lit., walk in line with' (Muller p. 127) 'The idea of a regulative standard is implied.' (Vincent p. 451) 'to be drawn up in a line..to hold to..to agree with.' (Hawthorne p. 157)
Points to Note:
1. God expects all Christians to "get in line". We are expected to have the same mental outlook towards our spiritual growth. The "rule" in this context is the attitude mentioned in 3:12-15.
2. The lives of every member must be governed by the attitude of striving for spiritual perfection. God is against "slackers" among His people (Revelation 3:15-16).
3. 'Together these words constitute Paul's appeal to the Philippians to fall in step with him and together with him begin to live up to whatever level of knowledge they have already acquired...' (Hawthorne p. 157) But more than that, God expects every Christian to strive for the highest possible level of spiritual growth--this diligent attitude is expected of all, from the babe in Christ to the most mature (2 Peter 1:5-11).
Philippians 3:17 Brethren, be ye imitators together of me, and mark them that so walk even as ye have us for an ensample.
'BE YE IMITATORS TOGETHER OF ME'-(1 Cor. 11:1). He urges them to imitate his attitude, which has already been expressed (3:7-14) and detailed.
Points to Note:
1. 'Should not brothers show that they belong to the same spiritual family, and are, therefore, really brothers?.' (Hendriksen p. 179)
2. Carefully note: Paul isn't being arrogant, rather God inspired him to write this. In addition, the ultimate example to imitate has already been given, i.e. Christ (2:5ff). And he has already admitted his own lack of perfection and need for further spiritual growth.
'AND MARK THEM'-4648. skopeo {skop-eh'-o}; from 4649; to take aim at (spy), i.e. (figuratively) regard: -consider, take heed, look at (on), mark. Compare 3700.
-'be on the look out for' (Jackson p. 73)
'THAT SO WALK EVEN AS YE HAVE US FOR AN ENSAMPLE'-'mark those who walk according to my example' (Con); 'and notice those who live by the example you get from me' (Mof). Other good examples of the attitude just expressed are closer to home.
'US'-i.e. Timothy and Epaphroditus. 'Thus, upon Paul and his companions and upon the many in Philippi who are living similar lives, the readers are urged earnestly to fix their attention as upon men who are safe guides for Christian conduct.' (Erdman p. 127)
Point to Note:
The Church will always need "good examples" of applied Christianity. For the sad truth is that many more bad examples exist in the religious world.
Philippians 3:18 For many walk, of whom I told you often, and now tell you even weeping, {that they are} the enemies of the cross of Christ:
'FOR MANY WALK'-(Matthew 7:13-14; 21-23). Apparently, the 'many' are professed members of the Church.
'OF WHOM I TOLD YOU OFTEN'-Paul often warned Christians against "false brethren" and false teachers (Acts 20:29; Romans 16:17-18; 2 Cor. 11:13-15; Galatians 1:6-9). Paul's sermons often contained some "negative" preaching.
Point to Note:
Some today are urging preachers to "ease up" on the "warnings" against various false doctrines and to concentrate upon more positive and uplifting lessons. Paul warned Christians "often" against the evil influences around them.
'AND NOW TELL YOU EVEN WEEPING'-Which seems to indicate that the people mentioned in these verses moved in "Christian circles", i.e. professed to be members of the Church and preachers of the gospel. Paul loved the body of Christ and took it personally when people dishonored, abused, divided and disrupted this sacred relationship (2 Corinthians 11:29).
'THE ENEMIES OF THE CROSS OF CHRIST'-'Enmity against the cross many mean any anti-Christian action.' (Muller p. 130) 'hostile, hating and opposing..the cross of Christ' (Jackson p. 73)
Points to Note:
1. From 3:19 it appears that such enemies are professed Christians who view grace as a license to sin (Romans 6:1; Jude 4). Or, like today, professed Christians who continue to engage in habitual sins, i.e. people who really just don't care.
2. The cross of Christ represents self-denial, unselfishness, sacrifice, and the rejection of all sinful practices. The Christian who continues to live a self-centered life, is an enemy of the cross of Christ (Hebrews 10:26ff). A selfish person has nothing in common with Jesus Christ (2:5-8).
Philippians 3:19 whose end is perdition, whose god is the belly, and {whose} glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.
'WHOSE END IS PERDITION'-God doesn't mess around with such people. God has no tolerance for the child of God, who can look at the sacrifice of Christ and yet continue to live for self and continue to engage in habitual sin.
'END'-their final lot. Yes, people will end up in hell, forever (Matthew 25:41). Note: They don't begin in hell and then work off their sins, their final destiny or "end" is hell.
'PERDITION'-684. apoleia {ap-o'-li-a}; from a presumed derivative of 622; ruin or loss (physical, spiritual or eternal): -damnable(-nation), destruction, die, perdition, X perish, pernicious ways, waste.
The idea of the word perdition (destruction), isn't loss of being (i.e. annihilation), but rather, loss of well-being, i.e. eternal ruin. Most certainly, hell is a place of conscious suffering (Mark 9:43-48; Luke 16:24)
'WHOSE GOD IS THE BELLY'-'a figure for serving self' (Jackson p. 73) 'for their appetites are their God' (TCNT). 'Sensuality in food, drink, sex then as now mastered some men.' (Robertson pp. 456-457) 'conceive of no higher good than the satisfaction of their bodily appetites.' (Hawthorne p. 165) Whose ultimate concern is for themselves and their physical needs and desires.
Point to Note:
Everyone serves a "god". In reality, no atheists exist. Even the atheist serves his or her own invented "god". And this "god" can take the form of anything, i.e money, power, technology, the worship of the human intellect, secular education, etc...
'AND WHOSE GLORY IS IN THEIR SHAME'-'they are proud of what they should be ashamed of' (Tay). (Romans 6:21) 'they pride themselves upon those indulgences which are really their disgrace. Their boasted liberty is bondage to lust.' (Erdman p. 128)
'SHAME'-152. aischune {ahee-skhoo'-nay}; from 153; shame or disgrace (abstractly or concretely): -dishonesty, shame.
Point to Note:
Nothing much has changed. Today we hear even religious people professing their "liberation" from what they claim are terrible, backward and oppressive requirements found in the Bible. The statement, 'I'm free to express myself...', is usually just another way of saying, 'Hey, look at me, I'm in bondage to my own selfishness' (Titus 3:3; 2 Peter 2:18-19)
'WHO MIND EARTHLY THINGS'-'they are absorbed in earthy matters' (Gspd); 'this world is the limit of their horizon' (Phi). 'they are concerned with values which pass away, having neither divine origin or eternal quality.' (Hawthorne p. 167) (Colossians 3:2,5,8; Matthew 6:32) People, whose heart is tethered to the things of this world (Matthew 6:21,24; Mark 4:19).
Jackson observes, 'The apostle Paul did not entertain that phoney, ecumenical philosophy that is characteristic of so many religionists of this day. To some, practically anything at all that sails under the banner "Christianity" is to be benevolently endorsed.' (p. 72)
Philippians 3:20 For our citizenship is in heaven; whence also we wait for a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
'FOR OUR CITIZENSHIP IS IN HEAVEN'-In contrast to those mentioned in 3:19. The same type of contrast between "us" and "them" is found in 3:2-3. Their fate is eternal damnation, our "end" is heaven.
'CITIZENSHIP'-4175. politeuma {pol-it'-yoo-mah}; from 4176; a community, i.e. (abstractly) citizenship (figuratively): -conversation.
-'Commonwealth gives a good and consistent sense. The state of which we are citizens is in heaven.' (Vincent p. 452)
'IS IN HEAVEN'-And yet such groups as the Jehovah Witnesses claim that the vast majority of Christians will never see Heaven.
Points to Note:
1. 'Neither the Roman colonist nor the Christian depended for the meaning, character and purpose of his life on the ethos of his alien environment, nor did he allow that environment to determine the quality of his behavior.' (Hawthorne p. 171) (Romans 12:1-2; 1 John 2:15-17)
2. 'This metaphor the Philippians would fully appreciate. As inhabitants of a Roman colony they enjoyed Roman citizenship. They might never have seen the Imperial City, but they were under its protection and lived according to its laws and enjoyed the privileges of its residents...So Christians form a "colony of heaven"...To it they owe their allegiance..Their conduct is regulated by its laws..' (Erdman pp. 128-129)
'As citizens of a Roman colony were expected to promote the interests of their mother city and maintain its dignity, so citizens of heaven in an earthly environment should represent the interests of their true homeland and lead lives worthy of their citizenship.' (Bruce p. 133)
3. See the following verses (Romans 8:17; Col. 3:1-3; Heb. 12:22-24; 1 Peter 1:4; Hebrews 11:10,16).
'WHENCE ALSO WE WAIT FOR A SAVIOUR, THE LORD JESUS CHRIST'
'WAIT'-553. apekdechomai {ap-ek-dekh'-om-ahee}; from 575 and 1551; to expect fully: -look (wait) foreign
-'It indicates earnest, patient waiting and expectation' (Vincent p. 452). (Romans 8:19,23,25; 1 Thess. 1:10; 1 John 3:1-3) 'Denotes the withdrawal of attention from inferior objects.' (Jackson p. 73)
'A SAVIOUR'-Our hope is rooted in a "person" and not in some vague concept. 'Not this or that heathen deity nor the Roman emperor but the Lord Jesus Christ is the real Savior whom believers are eagerly expecting.' (Hendriksen p. 184)
'some scholars have argued that Paul expressed his conviction that Christ would return in the first century, and that in this opinion, of course, he was wrong. This is a mistaken notion. Paul could speak of himself as among those alive at the coming of the Lord (1 Thess. 4:15), or as among those to be resurrected from the dead (1 Corinthians 6:14; 2 Cor. 4:14); the point is, Christ could come at any time, but the definite time, according to the apostle himself, was uncertain (1 Thess. 5:1,2).' (Jackson p. 71)
Philippians 3:21 who shall fashion anew the body of our humiliation, {that it may be} conformed to the body of his glory, according to the working whereby he is able even to subject all things unto himself.
'FASHION ANEW'-3345. metaschematizo {met-askh-ay-mat-id'-zo}; from 3326 and a derivative of 4976; to transfigure or disguise; figuratively, to apply (by accommodation): -transfer, transform (self).
-'change the form of' (Jackson p. 73) (1 Corinthians 15:35-54)
'THE BODY OF OUR HUMILIATION'-5014. tapeinosis {tap-i'-no-sis}; from 5013; depression (in rank or feeling): -humiliation, be made low, low estate, vile.
-'the body connected with our present moral existence...subjected to infirmities and suffering and decay. The change which the body will undergo will not only be an external one, but will affect the whole form and mode of existence.' (Muller p. 134)
Point to Note:
The KJV rendering "vile body" gives the wrong impression. The body isn't "vile", for everything that God created was good (Genesis 1:31). Christians are told to glorify God in their body (1 Cor. 6:19-20). 'By many Greek pagans the body was viewed as a prison from which at death the soul will be delivered.' (Hendriksen p. 184)
At this point Christians must realize that here is one more area in which Christianity inherently finds itself at odds with Eastern religions. The whole aim and goal of most Eastern religions is to be liberated from the body, i.e. the body is either an illusion or a "negative" thing. Christianity teaches that in heaven the Christian will have their body, a resurrected spiritual body.
'THAT IT MAY BE CONFORMED TO THE BODY OF HIS GLORY'-'and give it a form like that of his own resplendent body' (NEB); 'and change them into glorious bodies like His own' (Tay). 'The bodies that the people of Christ will wear in the age to come will belong to the same heavenly order as his own resurrected (glorified) body.' (Bruce p. 134) (1 Cor. 15:42-44,50-58; 1 John 3:2)
'ACCORDING TO THE WORKING WHEREBY IS HE ABLE EVEN TO SUBJECT ALL THINGS UNTO HIMSELF'-'the exercise of the power which He possesses...This is a reference to Christ's ultimate victory over all things. By the same power that He subjects all things (1 Cor. 15:58), He will also change us.' (Jackson p. 74) 'If anyone doubts the power of Christ to do this transformation, Paul replies that he has power "even to subject all things unto himself." (Robertson p. 457)
Points to Note:
1. 'Such glorious promises should make us less intent upon "earthly things", and more eager to set our affections on things above..' (Erdman p. 130)
2. The arguments and excuses of men are often amusing. At times people will say, 'How can God resurrect a body that has long since decayed? Or a body that has been cremated and scattered?' How quickly we forget that God created the whole Universe out of nothing (Psalm 33:6) And that all things are possible with God (Matthew 19:26). In hearing such arguments, God would respond, just as He responded to Sarah, 'Is anything too difficult for the Lord?' (Genesis 18:14)
3. The same power that will resurrect all the bodies that have ever walked this earth (John 5:28-29) will be simply one demonstration of the power of Jesus Christ. Among all the things which will happen at the the end of time, the complete removal of the entire physical universe (2 Peter 3:10), the consigning of every unsaved person to hell, the complete vanquishing of all evil powers, etc...the resurrection is simply one exertion of the power of Christ. (1 Cor. 15:25; Psalm 8:6; 110:1)
