Exposition of Philippians The Testimony of Paul’s Experiences – Part II Phil 3:7-14

Outline of Philippians Paul's Exhortation to the Philippians to Walk Worthy of the Gospel (1:27 – 4:1) Paul's Exhortation to the Philippians to Walk Worthy of the Gospel (1:27 – 4:1) The Need to Contend as One (1:27-30) The Need to Contend as One (1:27-30) The Call to Unity (2:1-30) The Call to Unity (2:1-30) Paul's Exhortation for Unity (2:1-4) Paul's Exhortation for Unity (2:1-4) The Example of Jesus Christ (2:5-11) The Example of Jesus Christ (2:5-11) Paul’s Exhortation to Harmony (2:12-18) Paul’s Exhortation to Harmony (2:12-18) Co-workers Whom Paul is Sending (2:19-30) Co-workers Whom Paul is Sending (2:19-30) The Call to Steadfastness (3:1 – 4:1) The Call to Steadfastness (3:1 – 4:1) The Warning: Beware of Evil Workers (3:1-3) The Warning: Beware of Evil Workers (3:1-3) The Testimony of Paul's Experiences (3:4-14) The Testimony of Paul's Experiences (3:4-14)

The Testimony of Paul’s Experiences (3:4-6) Paul’s Credentials by Birth (3:5a) Paul’s Credentials by Birth (3:5a) “circumcised the eighth day” “circumcised the eighth day” “of the nation of Israel” “of the nation of Israel” “of the tribe of Benjamin” “of the tribe of Benjamin” “a Hebrew of Hebrews” “a Hebrew of Hebrews” Paul’s Credentials by Works (3:5b-6) Paul’s Credentials by Works (3:5b-6) “concerning the law, a Pharisee” “concerning the law, a Pharisee” “concerning zeal, a persecutor of the church” “concerning zeal, a persecutor of the church” “concerning righteousness which is in law, found blameless” “concerning righteousness which is in law, found blameless”

The Testimony of Paul’s Experiences (3:7-14) V.7 is the hinge verse between Paul’s description of his credentials and how he “reckoned” those credentials when he met Christ: V.7 is the hinge verse between Paul’s description of his credentials and how he “reckoned” those credentials when he met Christ: “But whatever was to me gains [or advantages], these things I reckoned as loss for the sake of Christ.” “But whatever was to me gains [or advantages], these things I reckoned as loss for the sake of Christ.” Paul is drawing a contrast between his previous outlook on works of the law and his post- conversion outlook. His new view is that his previous works were not just ineffective in achieving righteousness, but were actually liabilities to that end...they had led Paul to persecute Christ and His church! Paul is drawing a contrast between his previous outlook on works of the law and his post- conversion outlook. His new view is that his previous works were not just ineffective in achieving righteousness, but were actually liabilities to that end...they had led Paul to persecute Christ and His church!

The Testimony of Paul’s Experiences (3:7-14) V. 8 goes even further, with even stronger language. V. 8 goes even further, with even stronger language. Not only the things Paul listed as his credentials, but he counts all things as loss for the sake of the surpassing value of knowing Christ. Not only the things Paul listed as his credentials, but he counts all things as loss for the sake of the surpassing value of knowing Christ. This moves the discussion beyond the realm of Jewish privilege and grounds for confidence in the flesh to a broader consideration of the whole sphere of human achievement and claims of privilege for either Jew or Gentile. This moves the discussion beyond the realm of Jewish privilege and grounds for confidence in the flesh to a broader consideration of the whole sphere of human achievement and claims of privilege for either Jew or Gentile. In what sense did Paul “suffer the loss of all things and count them but rubbish?” In what sense did Paul “suffer the loss of all things and count them but rubbish?”

The Testimony of Paul’s Experiences (3:7-14) A Great Exchange: Paul counts all his former credentials as loss, in order that he might: A Great Exchange: Paul counts all his former credentials as loss, in order that he might: gain Christ (v. 8). Verb form of same word for “gains” in v. 7. gain Christ (v. 8). Verb form of same word for “gains” in v. 7. be found in Christ with the righteousness by faith (not by works) that God requires (v. 9). This is what many Jews could not do! be found in Christ with the righteousness by faith (not by works) that God requires (v. 9). This is what many Jews could not do! know Christ, even the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings (v.10). know Christ, even the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings (v.10). The same power that raised Christ from the dead is the one that sanctifies and enables the believer (Rom 6:3-4). The same power that raised Christ from the dead is the one that sanctifies and enables the believer (Rom 6:3-4). Paul suffered at the hands of his fellow countrymen in the same way that Christ did. Paul suffered at the hands of his fellow countrymen in the same way that Christ did.

The Testimony of Paul’s Experiences (3:7-14) V. 11 is literally translated: “If somehow I might attain to the resurrection of the dead.” V. 11 is literally translated: “If somehow I might attain to the resurrection of the dead.” Paul is not questioning that he will be part of the resurrection at the end of the age, but admitting his lack of foreknowledge concerning the way he will take to get there. Paul is not questioning that he will be part of the resurrection at the end of the age, but admitting his lack of foreknowledge concerning the way he will take to get there. The uncertainties of life require that we trust God as we walk through them, but we can still be certain of resurrection in the end. The uncertainties of life require that we trust God as we walk through them, but we can still be certain of resurrection in the end.

The Testimony of Paul’s Experiences (3:7-14) In vv Paul deals with the continual pursuit that is the Christian life: In vv Paul deals with the continual pursuit that is the Christian life: Paul acknowledges that he has not reached ultimate spiritual maturity, and that God is the one who “perfects” (passive voice). Paul acknowledges that he has not reached ultimate spiritual maturity, and that God is the one who “perfects” (passive voice). But for his part, Paul continues to unceasingly pursue Christlikeness...the very thing that caused Christ to lay hold of Paul. But for his part, Paul continues to unceasingly pursue Christlikeness...the very thing that caused Christ to lay hold of Paul. In v. 13 he repeats the thought that he has not yet laid hold of the final prize, but he is singular in his pursuit: In v. 13 he repeats the thought that he has not yet laid hold of the final prize, but he is singular in his pursuit: forgetting what lies behind; forgetting what lies behind; straining forward to what lies ahead. straining forward to what lies ahead.

The Testimony of Paul’s Experiences (3:7-14) In vv Paul deals with the continual pursuit that is the Christian life: In vv Paul deals with the continual pursuit that is the Christian life: The imagery is one of a runner running a race, not looking back but straining forward for the prize at the end. The imagery is one of a runner running a race, not looking back but straining forward for the prize at the end. “Goal” and “prize” look at the same thing from two different perspectives. The first is to finish the race, the second is the reward that comes as a result. “Goal” and “prize” look at the same thing from two different perspectives. The first is to finish the race, the second is the reward that comes as a result. The “prize” for believers is being made like Christ through glorification. The “prize” for believers is being made like Christ through glorification. Both the goal and prize are part of the initial call by God to salvation. Both the goal and prize are part of the initial call by God to salvation.

Implications from our Study Justification by grace through faith in Christ is the only way to be reconciled to God and receive eternal life. Justification by grace through faith in Christ is the only way to be reconciled to God and receive eternal life. Since it is the only way, whatever one has to give up to receive it pales by comparison. Since it is the only way, whatever one has to give up to receive it pales by comparison. We must never be satisfied with our spiritual progress and stop pursuing sanctification. While God works in us, ours is an ongoing pursuit until we are made completely like Christ. We must never be satisfied with our spiritual progress and stop pursuing sanctification. While God works in us, ours is an ongoing pursuit until we are made completely like Christ.

Next Time: Paul's Exhortation to the Philippians to Walk Worthy of the Gospel (1:27 – 4:1) The Call to the Philippians Phil 3:15 – 4:1