Introduction

Philippians 3 presents Paul's dramatic revaluation of his life. Everything he once counted as gain, he now counts as loss compared to knowing Christ. He presses forward, not yet perfect, but straining toward the goal.

Warning Against False Teachers (verses 1-6)

Finally, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for Paul to write the same things again, and it is a safeguard for them. Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by His Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh—though Paul himself has reasons for such confidence.

If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, Paul has more: 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.

• True Circumcision: Those who worship by the Spirit
• No Flesh Confidence: Don't trust human achievement
• Paul's Credentials: If anyone could boast, he could

Knowing Christ (verses 7-11)

But whatever were gains to Paul he now considers loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, he considers everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus his Lord, for whose sake he has lost all things. He considers them garbage, that he may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of his 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. He wants to know Christ—yes, to know the power of His resurrection and participation in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

• Gain Becomes Loss: Everything revalued in light of Christ
• Surpassing Worth: Knowing Christ exceeds all else
• Found in Him: Having His righteousness, not his own
• Know His Power: Experience resurrection and share sufferings

Pressing Toward the Goal (verses 12-21)

Not that Paul has already obtained all this, or has already arrived at his goal, but he presses on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of him. He does not consider himself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing he does: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, he presses on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called him heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of them, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. Join together in following his example, and observe those who live according to the pattern he gave them.

For, as Paul has often told them before and now tells them again with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body.

Key Takeaways

• All Is Loss: Everything pales compared to Christ
• Not Yet Arrived: Keep pressing forward
• Forget Behind: Don't look back; strain ahead
• Heavenly Citizenship: Our true home is above

Reflection Questions

• What "gains" do you need to count as loss for Christ's sake?
• Are you pressing on or resting on past achievements?
• Does your daily life reflect that your citizenship is in heaven?