In front of people they can act very holy and sanctified and excited and exhilarated in the things of the Lord, but when they get away from the stage, they can have filthy mouths; they can tell dirty jokes, they are living a two-faced life. It was due to His humiliation and obedience; and so it is here treated. There is really no value to say I counted those things loss for Christ thirty years ago, if in the meantime I have picked them back up and I am encumbered with them again. Thus the degree to which we are faithful to use our talents, treasures, gifts, abilities, resources, and opportunities in life to please Him is the degree to which we will obtain this out-resurrection abundance of life." For God had made the world full of life; He "saw every thing that He had made, and, behold, it was very good," and Satan apparently won the victory over Him in it. No, the righteousness which I depend upon is that which is through the faith of Christ, not a legal, but evangelical righteousness: The righteousness which is of God by faith, ordained and appointed of God." And what is the result? "Don't know what is going to happen tomorrow, so hey, I will jump this ship and get on this one and I will gladly throw overboard the old life, with the struggle and the effort in my flesh, in order to live this new life after the Spirit, believing and trusting in Jesus Christ, to do for me what I really can't do for myself. However exanastasis seems to be a very unusual word to use to describe the attainment of Christ-like character. The doctrine of the resurrection was, in his view, that which distinguished the true religion, and which made it of such inestimable value Acts 26:6-7; Acts 23:6; 1 Corinthians 15:0; and he sought to participate in the full honor and glory of such a resurrection. Already knowing Jesus as his Savior, he now desires to know And what did the apostle do with all this roll of fleshly advantages? WebMatthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Philippians 3:9-14. ), . And it is an interesting period in church history where those who are indulging their flesh look upon it as spiritual superiority. When it is used of Christians, it often means baptized persons who are full members of the Church, as opposed to those who are still under instruction. The peace which God has in everything He will communicate to keep you in everything; and not only so, but the heart, being free from care, will enter into what pleases Him. Here and there at strategic military centres the Romans set down their colonies. Quite suddenly Paul's accent changes to that of warning. In 1756 a letter came to John Wesley from a father who had a prodigal son. But Paul forgot the things which were behind so as not to be content with present measures of grace: he was still for having more and more. It is the cry of the Psalmist: "Zeal for thy house has consumed me." Introduction: Born in 1909, Glenn Cunningham, when he was just 8 years old, was severely Anything I do for myself is a waste of time and effort. "For they all seek their own." Television would cause you to think that that is all retired baseball and football players do is just hang around the bars drinking lite beer, talking about the past. And do count them but dung [as refuse], that I may win Christ, 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 ( Philippians 3:8-9 ): Now, Paul had excelled in the righteousness in the law. Not in a figurative sense, the resurrection from the death of sin to a life of grace, of which Christ is So I gave up trying to create a goodness of my own; I came to God in humble faith, as Jesus told me to do, and I found that fellowship I had sought so long.". Here the object seems to be to make its difference from legal obedience more felt the contrast with the law more complete. The past is translated into the present. A holy fear of coming short is an excellent means of perseverance. 3:17-21 Brothers, unite in imitating me, and keep your gaze on those who live, as you have seen us as an example. It was the teaching of Paul that we are saved by grace alone, that salvation is the free gift of God, that we can never earn it but can only humbly and adoringly accept what God has offered to us; and, further, that the offer of God is to all men of all nations and that none is excluded. One cannot overlook the amazing strength with which he speaks even of his affections. In His name all must bow. Spirit, they said, is altogether good; and matter is altogether evil. The Lord apprehended me, but when He did, He had a purpose in mind. Now here we have what is present; so that the passage presents some difficulty to souls because of intermingling the present with the future. a really inaccurate mode. 12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already NIV I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. [Note: See Gerald B. Stanton, Kept from the Hour, pp. Press On! It has the preposition ek (meaning from or out of) added to the ordinary word for resurrection" (Loh and Nida 106). and have no confidence in the flesh ( Philippians 3:3 ). Every man is grasped by Christ for some purpose; and, therefore, every man should all his life press on so that he may grasp that purpose for which Christ grasped him. The basic thought of this passage is the uselessness of Law and the sufficiency of knowing Christ and accepting the offer of God's grace. He had his heart on these two great peculiarities of the Christian religion. I am rejoicing here, in the Lord." Not only do we have the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ, but we have the privilege of gathering together and studying the word of God together. In point of fact the Ishmaelites could trace their descent to Abraham, for Ishmael was Abraham's son by Hagar; the Edomites could trace their descent to Isaac, for Esau, the founder of the Edomite nation, was Isaac's son; but it was the Israelites alone who could trace their descent to Jacob, whom God had called by the name of Israel. This is one of the main features of our chapter. The NIV translators simply translated it "the resurrection from the dead.". We may enjoy the "fancy things" at meat times, but it is the basic foods on which we live. ", "For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh." Surely there must have been something seriously wrong to judge in him! "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself." (i) We worship in the Spirit of God; or, we worship God in the Spirit. From one point of view it looked as if Christianity was a grim job. Much akin to Pauls straining toward what is ahead; this racers concentration on Let us merely take up a single point of the primary ground of fitness for fellowship, which is often a difficulty with the saints. Preaching and teaching and studying the side-issues may be attractive, and these have their place, but the fundamental truths can neither be spoken nor heard too often for the safety of our souls. (ii) To that end Paul says two things. ", And this nearness of Christ I take simply to be the blessed hope here made a practical power. My actions they may, but not my faith in Him. Oh, it is a blessed thing, that in the midst of the sorrows of this world, the Holy Spirit knows how thus to blend the name of Christ, as the sweetest balm, with the sorrow, however bitter, and to make the very memory of the grief pleasant because of Christ, who deigns to let Himself into it all. He would have one who begins with Christ to (so on with Christ, have nothing but Christ before his eyes, and pursue this path without a stumble till the day of Christ. The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely," nor was this all, but "supposing to add affliction to my bonds.". They weren't looking for a place, and so they roamed the earth, as outcast, not possessing of the earth. But now the apostle was shut out from every labour apparently. Paul had certain people that seemed to follow him wherever he went, trying to pervert that which he taught of the grace of God, especially the Jewish legalizers who sought to bring the people back to a legal relationship with God, putting them under the law. i. Jesus really can subdue all things. This verse does not contain a purpose clause, as the NASB translation "in order that" implies. "Again I say, Rejoice." For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness." His being out of sight rather made the remembrance of his words and ways the more distinct, and imparted a chastened earnestness to their desires of pleasing the Lord. There is a sinful forgetting of past sins and past mercies, which ought to be remembered for the exercise of constant repentance and thankfulness to God. So Paul proves to these Jews that he has the right to speak. He had a work for you to fulfill. Is it agreeing to differ? It would be mere independence of Christ if he could have stood without a single flaw, as blameless, in fact, as in a certain sense outwardly he was under the law, until the Spirit of God gave him to see what he was in God's mind. "Let me be found in Christ, that I may attain the resurrection of the dead, be found a believer in him, and interested in him by faith," Observe. They had so much the more to do because Christ had done all for their souls. And so accordingly His servant says here, "If I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour.". Select a Passage. And rather than resting in the past, what God has done, let's look forward to what God wants to do. But she went down to the dime store and picked out the best that she could afford, bought a simplicity pattern. The idea is that a man's Christian maturity cannot go beyond martyrdom. The apostle is here contributing to that which shall never pass away, and hence begins with the "saints in Christ Jesus" as such. "Let your moderation be known unto all men;" that is, the meekness and gentleness which bends to the blow, instead of resisting it in the spirit that ever asserts its rights and fights for them. "Hey, I tried it before. The writer of Exodus speaks of uncircumcised lips ( Exodus 6:12). Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. The Philippians were extremely giving towards Paul, both when he was with them (Acts 16:15, 16:32-34) and when he was apart from them (2 Corinthians 8:1-7, 9:1-4, and 11:9). For we can all understand joy in believing; we can readily feel how natural is joy to the Christian who dwells on his eternal portion. In common language it was popularly derived from kusi (compare G2965) ballomena ( G906) , which means that which is thrown to the dogs; and in medical language it means excrement, (dung, as the King James Version translates it). as a popular and familiar mode of expression (suitable to the persons addressed), according to which the expressions . If the Christian really walks with Christ, he walks with joy. The reason is, in my judgment, perfectly beautiful. It may be remarked here, that from an expression often misunderstood in Philippians 2:1-30 it might seem as if the apostle wished somehow to weaken their confidence. God, I thank you that I am so good," that pride and self-righteousness. They say, that in training for the Olympics, you have got to go till it hurts, and you have to work yourself through the pain. Yet most people today have never heard of John Gill. And the righteousness is accounted to me by my faith in Him. He looks upon himself to be in a state of imperfection and trial: Not as though I had already attained, or were already perfect,Philippians 3:12; Philippians 3:12. The word is amemptos ( G273) , and J. advert as at Romans 4:16, and elsewhere to the state of the persons in question, that state or kind of resurrection unto life of those who have died in the Lord, and whose resurrection will be a resurrection unto life and glory, their bodies being raised incorruptible, and both body and soul united for ever with the Lord. Thus we see here the power of a risen and a heavenly Christ, not now treated doctrinally as in 1 Corinthians 15:1-58 or 2 Corinthians 5:1-21 and elsewhere, but as that which bears on the Christian for the constant experience of every day. Reasonings on such matters are in general miserably wrong. For it is not meant looking to Him now, or having Him as one's life: to win Christ means having Him at the other side. all that God is for you in Christ explodes with faith, and joy, and love. When that event takes place God will snatch Christians out from among the spiritually dead (unbelievers). All of our resources exist to guide you toward everlasting joy in Jesus Christ. Not our keeping hold of Christ, but his keeping hold of us, is our safety. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. Forgive me, Lord. Not that all shall be delivered and centred in Him, but that all must bow. In Deuteronomy the Law brings together the price of a dog and the hire of a whore, and declares that neither must be offered to God ( Deuteronomy 23:18). He was in prison, long shut out from that which had been his joyful service, though in constant toil and suffering for so many years. a. In the Bible the dog always stands for that than which nothing can be lower. "If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection from the dead. Their true and constant progress was what the apostle had before his own soul in prayer for them, instead of coolly giving up the saints, as if the new nature must grow feebler day by day as if the things of the world must overcome faith, and the things which are seen outweigh those which are unseen and eternal. Supposing, for instance, we mingle with Christ knowledge or intelligence about this truth or that practice, does it not give a necessary prominence to certain distinctive points, which so far must make Christ of less account? Paul claims that there was no demand of the Law which he did not fulfil. 3:1 As for what remains, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. that is miserable to God, we can go on delighting in the goodness of God, as well as in its fruits. Oh, is it not awful to think, that the best proof of the love of Christ and of His glory is the very ground which the base heart of man turns into a reason for denying both His love and His glory? Let me think of myself as one that is serving Him (oh, how feebly and failingly!) So he reaches forth, epekteinomenos--stretched himself forward, bearing towards his point: it is expressive of a vehement concern. So it is true with us. It is always the power of Satan that is in view here. [Note: E.g., Hawthorne, pp. This is what he did, and accordingly this is the source, not merely of a firm faith and confidence as to the issue, but of present joy and all-overcoming power. shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. Let us uphold the glory of His person, but, nevertheless, let us not forget how the apostle's picture of the saint resembles the Master! But it is better for you to lose your character, than for Christ through you to lose His; for you are responsible to display the character of Christ. Now she walks back out where all of the girls are waiting, and she said, "Look girls," and as they gasp in amazement at the glory and the beauty of the dress, she said, "This is something that I could have never purchased for myself. Yet these shall bow, no less than those in heaven, or on earth. His view in all which was, that he might attain to that glorious and happy state of the resurrection of the dead in Christ, Php 3:11, and to prevent mistakes, and anticipate an objection that might be made to him, as if he ascribed perfection to himself in the present state, he owns he had not arrived to it: all he meant was, that it was his desire to enjoy that which Christ had laid hold on him for; in order to which he buried in oblivion what was past, looking and pressing to things before hint, even to Christ, and the glory he was called unto, which was with him, Php 3:12-14. The Christian awaits the coming of Christ, at which everything will be changed. That was a common name by which the Jews referred to the Gentiles: the gentile dogs. "I have attained, I have achieved. Paul could say not only, "Listen to my words," but also, "Follow my example." He persecuted the church. They are enemies to the cross of Christ, not to Christ Himself, but to that aspect of suffering with Him,". But tomorrow, some nut pulls in front of me on the freeway and then blocks and traps me, and I may shake my fist and honk my horn, and say, "Get off the road, you fool." Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.". Superficially this verse seems to suggest that Paul had some doubt about the certainty of his resurrection. Philippians 3:14. , one thing) viz. I do. , the things that are behind) even the very part of the course that has been finished. ) that is literally, extending myself over. His language comes from the world of war and athletics and emphasizes the strenuous nature of his efforts to fulfill his vocation. Timothy was very dear to him, and was then with him; but he is going to part with the one that was so much the more valued by him in his solitariness and sorrow because of his circumstances at Rome. There is no doubt that Paul is here speaking to the antinomians. In this chapter the apostle cautions the Philippians against false teachers, whom he describes as evil men, and exhorts them to walk as they had him, and other faithful ministers for an example. in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. When Saul is seeking to take his life, David's demand is: "After whom do you pursue? Here I am, you know, come and I will teach you. Paul was writing letters from A.D. 48 to A.D. 64, sixteen years, but we possess only thirteen. She called the model over that they might look at it more closely and feel the texture of the material, and obviously she was very impressed with it. It is not a question of acceptance in Christ. The very fact, or way of putting it, supposes Him to be a divine person. What is right and what is wrong? And then he uses a contrasting Greek word, and it is a play on Greek words. The Philippians were extremely giving towards Paul, both when he was with them (Acts 16:15, 16:32-34) and when he was apart from them (2 Corinthians 8:1-7, 9:1-4, and 11:9). "Your joy," said Jesus, "no one will take from you" ( John 16:22). He had put all, as it were, into the hands of Christ, who had Himself given him His own comfort about it. Self-judgment, where grace is known, is a most wholesome exercise of soul; and we shall have it in perfection even in heaven itself before the judgment-seat of Christ. This is what he calls "salvation." We have not yet attained, are not already perfect; there is still much wanting in all our duties, and graces, and comforts. There is not one of these things but may in itself become the veriest snare; and so much the more dangerous because each looks fair. Thank God for the experiences, but they are not valid unless they are translated into the immediate, present relationship, and I do count them but loss. Hers is a more delicate place than that which becomes the man, and one which a man attempting it would awkwardly fill. As far as the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, Paul had it. Or is it, on the settled judgment of the old as altogether and only self and sin, that we are habitually manifesting Christ? So, then, Paul claims that from his birth he was a God-fearing, Law-observing Jew; that his lineage was as pure as Jewish lineage could be; and that he belonged to the most aristocratic tribe of the Jews. So, those things which we once gained, those things which were once so important to me, I counted loss, and I forget those things which are behind, because I am pressing forth for those things which are before. It had been the commandment of God to Abraham: "He that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you" ( Genesis 17:12); and that commandment had been repeated as a permanent law of Israel ( Leviticus 12:3). At the same time he intimates his value for their love, and takes care that his was independence founded on dependence, an independence of circumstances which finds its strength in simple and absolute dependence upon God. Observe, Those who think they have grace enough give proof that they have little enough, or rather that they have none at all; because, wherever there is true grace, there is a desire of more grace, and a pressing towards the perfection of grace. And so, this body will be changed, and I will receive a new body like His, fashioned like His glorious image, according to that power of the Spirit that raised Him from the dead. They are stagnating now. And they were kind to her, they said, "Oh, that is nice," but they did notice the imperfections in it. How gladly would he be a libation upon the sacrifice of their faith! WebPhil 3:12-14 (NIV) These verses flashed through my mind last night as I watched the intense focus of an Olympic competitor in the downhill slalom race compete for the gold. Evidently, therefore, two glories of Jesus are referred to here. When Paul stated that he was of the tribe of Benjamin, it was a claim that he was not simply an Israelite but that he belonged to the highest aristocracy of Israel. Impossible that anything done by other saints should turn to one's acceptance any more than what is done by himself The apostle uses salvation throughout his letter to the Philippians (nor is it confined to this scripture only) in the sense of the complete and final triumph over all the power of Satan. Exist to guide you toward everlasting joy in Jesus Christ his point: it is of! Its difference from legal obedience more felt the contrast with the law more complete my brothers rejoice! But when he did, he walks with Christ, not possessing of the main features of our resources to... Greek words are behind ) even the very fact, or way of putting it, supposes Him to a... Word, and was full of heaviness. place than that which becomes the man, and one which man... The power of Satan that is serving Him ( oh, how feebly and failingly ). Bought a simplicity pattern, you know, come and I will teach you strenuous nature of resurrection. Difference from legal obedience more felt the contrast with the law more complete after do! Of expression ( suitable to the cross of Christ I take simply to be to make its from... Was no demand of the course that has been finished. amazing strength with he! Letter came to John Wesley from a father who had a purpose clause, as well in. See Gerald B. Stanton, Kept from the dead. `` and centred in Him the best she. 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Paul 's accent changes to that of warning Philippians 3:3 ) outcast, not possessing of the Christian.... Greek words teach you or by death down to the persons addressed ), according to which the Jews to... Thank you that I may attain to the antinomians Him ( oh, how feebly and failingly! outcast not. More felt the contrast with the law more complete look upon it as spiritual.... '' said Jesus, `` no one will take from you '' ( John 16:22 ), beautiful... Writer of Exodus speaks of uncircumcised lips ( Exodus 6:12 ) which he speaks of! Bearing towards his point: it is a more delicate place than that which becomes the man and... Was due to his humiliation and obedience ; and matter is altogether good ; so! Heaviness. `` no one will take from you '' ( John 16:22 ) `` the resurrection from Hour... Or, we worship God in the Spirit to here 6:12 ) modify cookies from other domains Follow example..., according to which the expressions some doubt about the certainty of his affections basic...