Words in italic type have been added for clarity. They are not found in the original Hebrew or Aramaic.

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Philippians 3

What should I learn from this chapter?

• The meaning of value and wisdom

All for Christ

Philippians 3:¹ Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe.

Philippians 3:² Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation!

Philippians 3:³ For we are the circumcision, who worship (in the Spirit of God) God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh,

Philippians 3:⁴ though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so:

Philippians 3:⁵ circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel (a Jew) of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee;

• The number 8 is symbolic of a transformation, a cutting away of the flesh – in the same way a believer is transformed (born again), recreated, raptured or resurrected with a glorified body.

• Paul mentions he was 1) Circumcised, 2) A Jew of the tribe of Benjamin, 3) A Pharisee, 4) Zealous, 5) Persecuting perceived enemies, 6) Blameless in the law. Note: The number six is man’s number of incompleteness. But by verse seven Paul sheds all the sixes for the number seven, becoming complete in Christ.

Philippians 3:⁶ concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

Philippians 3:⁷ But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.

Philippians 3:⁸ Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ

Philippians 3:⁹ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;

Philippians 3:¹⁰ that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,

Philippians 3:¹¹ if, by any means, I may attain to (Lit. arrive at) the resurrection from the dead.

Pressing Toward the Goal

Philippians 3:¹² Not that I have already attained, (obtained it) or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.

Philippians 3:¹³ Brethren, I do not count myself to have (laid hold of it) apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,

• Man was not born with two eyes in the back of his head, he was not born with one eye in the back and one in the front, but God created man with his two eyes in the front of his head so he wouldn’t be obsessing about his past, trying to live his past and his future at the same time, but wholly looking to God in faith for his future.

Philippians 3:¹⁴ I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

• Wisdom is knowing the value of one thing over another, and there is nothing more valuable than everlasting life.

Philippians 3:¹⁵ Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.

Philippians 3:¹⁶ Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already (arrived) attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.

Our Citizenship in Heaven

Philippians 3:¹⁷ Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.

Philippians 3:¹⁸ 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:

Philippians 3:¹⁹ whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things.

Philippians 3:²⁰ For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

Philippians 3:²¹ who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.