Bible Study Notes On Philippians Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Bible Text

Notes and thoughts

1 ¶ Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.
2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.
3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
4 ¶ Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
9 ¶ And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
15 ¶ Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
17 ¶ Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an en sample.
18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

Paul thinks about the past v1-11, present v12-16 and future v17-21.
v1-3 Lookout. There were many Jews who felt that you had to become a Jew before becoming a Christian. see Acts 10 to Acts 15 as the gospel goes directly to the Gentiles, but still many refused to accept this, Paul calls them:-
"Dogs" dirty scavengers.
"Evil workers" who taught faith plus good works, especially the Law, was needed for salvation.
"Concision" means mutilation, they taught circumcision was needed for salvation. compare Col 2:11
No physical act, Baptism, circumcision, attending church, attending Lord’s supper etc. can bring salvation, only faith in Jesus.
v4-7 Paul’s life as an example. See Acts 22:3; Gal 1:13-14; Acts 7:54-60; Act 8:1-3; Acts 22:1-5; Acts 26:1-11. Paul had all the religious training and experience as a Pharisee, but he gave it up for Christ when he realized it was only using man’s standard, not God’s.
v7-9 Paul compared them with what Jesus offered, all position, power, religion is loss for Christ. Knowledge of Christ, not know about but to personally know Jesus.
v9 Get right with God. not self made but faith in Jesus. To gain righteousness of God. 2 Cor 5:21.
v10-12 I gave up all this old religion to know the power of his resurrection, to share in the suffering of Jesus.
3:13 - 16 The target for life.
v13 Paul says "I have not got there yet but I’m well on the way," forgetting the past looking only to the prize offered by God through Jesus. You must be like this.
The Bible warns us about a false spiritual condition, see The churches in Rev 3:1.
Paul knew he must "still keep pressing toward the mark"
"One thing I do" An important sentence, Christians so often get involved in many things and forget the main point of their work. Most athletes specialize on one sport and put all their effort into being best at that.
We must not look back, that is past and can do nothing about it, it is the future we should look at.
v14."I press" means like a hunter chasing the animal, you need to work at it, let God work through you, not sit in church just listening.John 15:5.
The athlete gets a prize at the end and so do we when we reach heaven.
v15-16 Discipline.
All games have rules which must be obeyed, anyone breaking rules must expect to be punished in some way. Paul reminds us we must obey the spiritual rules in God’s Word. One day we will be judged for our actions while serving Him.Rom 14:10-12 This judgement is not reference to salvation, once you have salvation through Jesus you cannot lose it.
See Also Heb 12:1-2
v17-21 Living for the future.
"Use me as an example for there are many who are enemies of the cross" Paul is so sad that these people are here. We are not told who they are but probably those who taught ‘Jesus plus works’ for salvation, The ‘Judaizers’ who added the ‘Law of Moses.’ Paul is talking about those who say they are saved, not those outside the church, they were emphasizing the things of the world, Old testament dietary laws, (God is their belly), circumcision, earthly rituals and beliefs. They were living in the past, real Christians look to the future v20.
Many people think that to be ‘spiritual’ they must pray with a special voice, informing God of things He already knows, to go to every meeting etc. To be ‘spiritually minded’ is to think from heavens view point, we are citizens of heaven, taking actions and making decisions using heavenly basis. Luke 12:40-48.
Your name is written in heaven. Luke 10:20 once and for all. We must speak, act in a manner which glorifies God, just quoting verses at everyone does not always give glory to Him Col 4:6; Eph 4:29 Matt 12:34-37. We speak Heaven’s language 1 Cor 2:14-16; 1 John 4:4-6.

Easy English Translation

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Paul’s letter to Philippians