Philippians 3

• rejoice in the Lord: This theme appears again in 4:4 (see also 1:18; 2:17–18, 28; 4:10).

• the same things: The meaning here is unclear. It might refer to:

  1. the recent encouragement to rejoice in the Lord;

  2. the earlier advice to follow Christ’s example (2:1–18);

  3. Paul’s encouragement in general; or

  4. the upcoming warning about threats to their faith.

those dogs, those workers of evil: Here, Paul reverses the traditional Jewish practice of calling non-Jewish people dogs (see Mark 7:27–28). Paul directs his strongest insults at Jews who taught that non-Jewish people must be circumcised to be saved (see 2 Corinthians 11:13–15; Galatians 1:6–9; 5:1–6, 12).

Paul warns believers not to be influenced by Jewish Christians who say circumcision is necessary for salvation. Paul then talks about his own conversion from Judaism to following Christ.

Circumcision was a sign that someone belonged to God’s people (see Gen 17:10–14). But the Bible teaches that those who trust in Christ are the ones who are truly circumcised in their hearts (see Romans 2:28–29; compare Jeremiah 4:4; Ephesians 2:11; Colossians 2:11–13). Being circumcised in heart means we are changed on the inside. Our hearts are made new by God so they can love and obey him.

in the flesh: Paul uses flesh to mean relying on yourself and human effort. This is different than relying on Christ and the power given by the Spirit.

• circumcised on the eighth day: This followed Jewish law, which required boys to be circumcised on the eighth day (See Genesis 17:12; Leviticus 12:3; Luke 1:59; Luke 2:21).

• Paul belonged to the Pharisees, a Jewish group known for strictly following the law (see Acts 23:6; Acts 26:5).

If anyone had reason to trust in their religious status as a Jew, Paul did. He strictly followed Jewish law and was very passionate about the Jewish religion.

• as to zeal, persecuting the church (see Acts 8:1–3; 9:1–2, 21; Galatians 1:13): Paul's actions showed his strong support for Judaism, which saw the good news about Jesus as a threat.

• Paul’s righteousness, as judged by human standards, also showed his dedication to the law (see also Galatians 1:14; for Paul’s later Christian view, compare Romans 3:23; 7:14–25).

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

• Paul explains the difference between his view of salvation and that of his opponents (3:2).

• Believers unite with Christ by trusting him for salvation and sharing in his life (see John 15:1–5).

• We become righteous not by following the law of Moses, but through faith in Christ. This is God's way of making us right with him: Salvation is a free gift, not something we can earn (see Romans 1:17; 3:21–26; 4:5–8; Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:8–9).

• to know Christ: By knowing Jesus Christ, a person knows and is accepted by God (compare 3:7–8; John 1:12–13; 17:3).

• Believers experience the mighty power that raised Christ from the dead, both now and in eternity (see Romans 6:4–14; 8:10–11; Colossians 3:1–4).

• the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to Him in His death: United with Christ, a believer has the privilege of experiencing his life and death (see Philippians 1:29; 2 Corinthians 4:10–12; Colossians 1:24; 1 Peter 4:13–16).

Experiencing resurrection from the dead means being saved from judgment and receiving eternal life (see Revelation 20:4–6). Paul understood God's holiness and the seriousness of the final judgment (Revelation 20:11–15). He knew he must continue to pursue Christ and salvation (compare Galatians 5:5).

Using himself as an example, Paul encourages the Philippians to pursue Christ and the hope of heaven with determination and strength.

• I press on toward the goal: Paul compares the Christian life to a race. Just as a runner keeps going to reach the finish line, Paul keeps following Christ with hope of the final reward (see study note on 2:16).

• Paul was ready to give up everything for the ultimate goal, the heavenly prize of eternal life.

Spiritually mature people (see 1 Corinthians 2:6; 3:1) agree with Paul that eternal things matter most in life (Philippians 3:12–14; compare 2 Corinthians 4:16–18).

we must live up to what we have already attained: Believers should not go backward in their faith. Their way of life should match what they have already learned about Christ.

Join one another in following my example: Paul seriously pursued Christ and the life God called him to (3:7–14; 4:9; 1 Corinthians 4:6, 16–17; 11:1; 2 Thessalonians 3:7–9). This is very different from the enemies of Christ who are described next (Philippians 3:18–19).

Many live as enemies of the cross of Christ: The identity of the enemies is not certain. They may have been:

1. Jews or Jewish Christians who were proud of their circumcision (as in 3:2) and who emphasized Judaism in a way that did not agree with the message of the cross of Christ;

2. false believers living in a worldly and immoral way (see 3:19); or

3. people who claimed to believe but rejected Paul’s teaching that the good news centers on Christ’s death on the cross (see 1 Corinthians 1:23; compare Romans 9:33; 1 Peter 2:8).

• their god is their belly: This phrase may refer to their greed, sexcual desires, or self-interest (compare Romans 16:18).

• their glory is in their shame: This most likely refers to immoral behavior, not to pride in circumcision.

• Eternal destruction is God's ultimate judgment for those who reject Christ and live selfish, sinful lives (see 2 Thessalonians 1:8–9; compare Philippians 1:28; Matthew 7:13; Romans 9:22; 1 Corinthians 1:18; 2 Thessalonians 2:10; 1 Timothy 6:9; 2 Peter 2:3, 13; Jude 1:10; Revelation 11:18).

• their minds are set on earthly things: They cannot see beyond this life (compare John 12:25; 1 John 2:15–17).

In contrast, believers know that their true home is in heaven with the Lord Jesus Christ (see Ephesians 2:19). So they focus their thoughts on heavenly things (see Colossians 3:1–2; compare 1 Corinthians 15:19; 1 Peter 2:11). They also focus their thoughts on Christ’s return (see 1 Corinthians 1:7; Titus 2:13).

• will transform our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body: When Jesus returns, he will transform believers' physical bodies. Instead of weak, aging bodies that die, they will have perfect, eternal bodies (see 1 Corinthians 15:42–54; compare Romans 8:23).

• enables Him to subject all things to Himself: This means that Jesus will have complete authority over all things. Everything in creation will be subject to his rule (see 1 Corinthians 15:24–27).