Philippians 3, Joy in Knowing the Messiah!

Paul has been describing the ideal Christian community, emphasizing humility and giving Jesus as an example. He then digressed to express appreciation for Timothy and Epaphroditus.

Philippians 3: 1, Rejoice! (Keep Joy in mind!)

Finally, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble for me, and it is a safeguard for you.

Why is writing "Rejoice!" a safeguard for the Philippians?  A Christian, excited about their joy in Christ, often makes resolutions or commitments that become burdensome. Monitoring one's joy provides a safeguard against this legalism.

I realized this, long ago, while memorizing the book of Philippians.  After memorizing the first two chapters (60 verses) I was no longer enjoying my walk with God and memorization had become a daily burden. While meditating on the verse above, it hit me that Bible memorization had become a legalistic spiritual discipline.  So I quit!

It was right to do so.

Humans look at the routines and disciplines of others and say, "How spiritual!"  Often they should ask, instead, "Is it spiritual?  Or is it just legalistic?"  If your routine is legalistic, stop.  (No, you do not need to "do devotions" every day!  Enjoy the Messiah instead!)

I note with a bit of irony that the last few days have overwhelmed me and I have not gotten to post my "chapter-a-day" blog.  So I am two days behind, once again thrown off by Philippians 3:1!

Philippians 3: 2-7, A legalistic Jew speaks out

Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the [a]false circumcision; 3 for we are the true [b]circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and take pride in Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh, 4 although I myself could boast as having confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he is confident in the flesh, I have more reason: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless.

7 But whatever things were gain to me, these things I have counted as loss because of Christ. 

(From Envision Truth 499 comes this drawing of Philippians 3:2)

Paul continually confronts legalism.  He calls the legalistic Judaizers, "dogs", emphasizing his anger. Paul makes it clear that if anyone knows spiritual legalism, it is he. As one who has given up an addiction, Paul stresses the pain his past had caused and is enthusiastic about his new life of joy (not legalism) in the Messiah.

Philippians 3: 8-12, Instead I pursue Messiah

8 More than that, I count all things to be loss [c]in view of the surpassing value of [d]knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, [e]for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them mere rubbish, so that I may gain Christ, 9 and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and [f]the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; 11 if somehow I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

12 Not that I have already [g]grasped it all or have already become perfect, but I press on if I may also take hold of that [h]for which I was even taken hold of by Christ Jesus.

Here is a ringing claim to mission! Paul's goal in life is simple, to know the Messiah, this God-man who rose from the dead.

Philippians 3: 13-19, Fellowship in humility

Brothers and sisters, I do not regard myself as having taken hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 

Therefore, all who are mature, let’s have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that to you as well; however, let’s keep living by that same standard to which we have attained.

17 Brothers and sisters, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. 18 For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even as I weep, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ, 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their [k]appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who have their minds on earthly things. 

My mind is often set on earthly things... which is why I'm trying to read the New Testament.

Paul expresses his goals and then sadly admits that many refuse to accept the Messiah for Who he is.

(From Envision Truth 499 comes this drawing of Philippians 3: 13-14)

Philippians 3: 20-21, Fellowship in humility

For our [l]citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; 21 who will transform the body of our lowly condition into conformity with [m]His glorious body, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.

Paul is increasing aware of the attraction of Heaven, given his imprisonment.

Wherever the NIV writes "Christ" Paul is using a word which roughly translates as "Chosen One" or "Anointed One" and stands for the Jewish Messiah.  Firmly Jewish, Paul is insistent on bringing to the lowly Gentiles the news of the "Chosen One" of Israel.  And I am glad he did.

For further thought: Can you measure your joy? How does joy keep up safe from legalism?

Next time: Paul will have some final thoughts for this church in the next chapter, making one last appeal for stability and unity.

(This version of the Bible used in this blog post is the NASB. This post will eventually appear in my New Testament blog on 6/18/2025. At this time I am focusing my attention on working through the Old Testament at oldtestamentchapters.blogspot.com.)