Tyndale Open Study Notes

Verse 1

3:1 rejoice in the Lord: This theme is resumed in 4:4 (see also 1:18; 2:17-18, 28; 4:10). • The phrase these things (literally the same things) is ambiguous: it may refer to (1) the immediately preceding encouragement to rejoice in the Lord; (2) the earlier encouragement to follow Christ’s example (2:1-18); (3) Paul’s exhortation in general; or (4) the following warning about threats to their faith.

Verse 2

3:2-11 Paul warns the believers against being influenced by Jewish Christians who argued that circumcision is necessary for salvation. He then talks about his own conversion from Judaism to Christ.

3:2 those dogs, . . . those mutilators: Here Paul reverses the traditional Jewish practice of referring to Gentiles as dogs (cp. Mark 7:27-28). Paul’s strongest insults are directed against Jews who preached that Gentiles must be circumcised in order to be saved (cp. 2 Cor 11:13-15; Gal 1:6-9; 5:1-6, 12).

Verse 3

3:3 Circumcision was understood as identifying the true people of God (see Gen 17:10-14), but those who put their trust in Christ are the ones who are truly circumcised in heart (see Rom 2:28-29; cp. Jer 4:4; Eph 2:11; Col 2:11-13).

Verse 4

3:4 in my own effort (literally in the flesh): Paul uses flesh here for self-reliance and human effort in contrast to reliance on Christ and empowerment by the Spirit.

Verse 5

3:5-6 If anyone could rely on Jewish credentials, Paul could: He practiced the strictest obedience to the Jewish law and was extremely zealous for the Jewish religion.

3:5 circumcised when I was eight days old: See Gen 17:12; Lev 12:3; Luke 1:59; 2:21. • Paul was a member of the Pharisees, the Jewish sect known for its strict observance of the law (see Acts 23:6; 26:5).

Verse 6

3:6 I harshly persecuted the church (see Acts 8:1-3; 9:1-2, 21; Gal 1:13): His actions demonstrated his zeal for Judaism, to which the Good News of Jesus was seen as a threat. • Paul’s righteousness, as judged by human standards, was another indication of his zeal for the law (see also Gal 1:14; for Paul’s later Christian view, cp. Rom 3:23; 7:14-25).

Verse 7

3:7-8 As a Christian, Paul now regarded these things (3:5-6) as worthless because of what Christ has done: A believer’s relationship with God is defined by knowing Christ (cp. 3:10; John 17:3) and nothing else. The only important thing is to gain Christ, thus receiving the gift of eternal salvation (cp. John 3:16; 1 Jn 5:11-13). By comparison, all other things are meaningless garbage (or excrement).

Verse 9

3:9 Paul here summarizes the contrast between his understanding of salvation and that of his opponents (3:2). • Believers become one with Christ by trusting him for salvation and sharing his life (cp. John 15:1-5). • We become righteous, not by observing the law of Moses, but through faith in Christ. This is God’s way of making us right with himself: Salvation cannot be earned, but only received as a free gift (see Rom 1:17; 3:21-26; 4:5-8; Gal 2:16; Eph 2:8-9).

Verse 10

3:10 to know Christ: In knowing him, a person knows and is accepted by God (cp. 3:7-8; John 1:12-13; 17:3). • Believers experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead, both now and in eternity (see Rom 6:4-14; 8:10-11; Col 3:1-4). • to suffer with him, sharing in his death: Joined to Christ, a believer has the privilege of experiencing his life and death (see Phil 1:29; 2 Cor 4:10-12; Col 1:24; 1 Pet 4:13-16).

Verse 11

3:11 To experience the resurrection from the dead is to be saved from judgment and receive eternal life (see Rev 20:4-6). Paul was aware of God’s holiness and the severity of the final judgment (Rev 20:11-15); he knew he must persevere in his pursuit of Christ and salvation (cp. Gal 5:5).

Verse 12

3:12–4:1 Using himself as an example, Paul encourages the Philippians to pursue Christ and the hope of heaven with determination and strength.

Verse 13

3:13-14 the race: See study note on 2:16. • Paul was willing to give up everything else for the ultimate goal, the heavenly prize of eternal life.

Verse 15

3:15 Those who are spiritually mature (cp. 1 Cor 2:6; 3:1) will share Paul’s perspective that eternal things are most important in life (Phil 3:12-14; cp. 2 Cor 4:16-18).

Verse 16

3:16 hold on to the progress we have already made: There must be no slipping or reversal; as believers, our conduct must be consistent with our spiritual understanding.

Verse 17

3:17 pattern your lives after mine: Paul’s serious pursuit of Christ and the life to which God had called him (3:7-14; 4:9; 1 Cor 4:6, 16-17; 11:1; 2 Thes 3:7-9) contrasts markedly with that of the enemies of Christ who are described next (Phil 3:18-19).

Verse 18

3:18 The identity of the enemies is not known; they might have been (1) Jews or Jewish Christians proud of their circumcision (as in 3:2), whose emphasis on observant Judaism contradicted the cross of Christ; (2) pseudo-believers living a worldly, immoral life (cp. 3:19); or (3) professing believers who had rejected Paul’s cross-centered view of the Good News. Christ’s crucifixion as a criminal was scandalous and offensive to many (see 1 Cor 1:23; cp. Rom 9:33; 1 Pet 2:8).

Verse 19

3:19 Their god is their appetite may refer to their greed, their sensuality, or their self-interest (cp. Rom 16:18). • they brag about shameful things: This is best understood as a reference to immorality rather than to pride in being circumcised. • Eternal destruction is the ultimate judgment of God for those who reject Christ and live self-centered, sinful lives (see 2 Thes 1:8-9; cp. Phil 1:28; Matt 7:13; Rom 9:22; 1 Cor 1:18; 2 Thes 2:10; 1 Tim 6:9; 2 Pet 2:3, 13; Jude 1:10; Rev 11:18). • They are unable to see beyond this life (cp. John 12:25; 1 Jn 2:15-17).

Verse 20

3:20 By contrast, believers who know their home is in heaven (see Eph 2:19) with the Lord Jesus Christ fill their minds with thoughts of heaven (see Col 3:1-2; cp. 1 Cor 15:19; 1 Pet 2:11) and Christ’s return (see 1 Cor 1:7; Titus 2:13).

Verse 21

3:21 change them into glorious bodies: See 1 Cor 15:42-54; cp. Rom 8:23. • he will bring everything under his control: See 1 Cor 15:24-27.