PHILIPPIANS—NOTE ON PHILIPPIANS 3:1 Opponents of the Gospel: Where Does Righteousness Come From? Paul calls on the Philippians to rejoice in the Lord (v. Philippians 3:1). He then warns them about the Judaizers who oppose the gospel (vv. Philippians 3:2). Paul’s conflicts with the Judaizers can be... [ Continue Reading ]
PHILIPPIANS—NOTE ON PHILIPPIANS 3:2 DOGS. A term of insult in the ancient world, sometimes used by Jews to describe Gentiles. With biting irony, Paul says that the Judaizers, not the Gentiles, deserve that label. He describes those who believe in salvation by works as EVILDOERS and THOSE WHO MUTILAT... [ Continue Reading ]
PHILIPPIANS—NOTE ON PHILIPPIANS 3:3 WE ARE THE CIRCUMCISION. The true people of God are those who WORSHIP BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD (see John 4:23). They GLORY IN CHRIST JESUS (compare Philippians 1:26) and PUT NO CONFIDENCE IN THE FLESH. This verse mentions all three members of the Trinity: “God,” “Chri... [ Continue Reading ]
PHILIPPIANS—NOTE ON PHILIPPIANS 3:4 Paul had a strong Jewish background. He was CIRCUMCISED ON THE EIGHTH DAY (see Leviticus 12:3). He was an ethnic Israelite and knew the tribe from which he came. HEBREW OF HEBREWS 1:1 probably indicates his descent from Jewish ancestors. He was from the strictest... [ Continue Reading ]
PHILIPPIANS—NOTE ON PHILIPPIANS 3:7 GAIN... LOSS. What formerly went into Paul’s _gain_ column—his power, position, and performance—now goes into the _loss_ column. Compare Matthew 16:25. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
PHILIPPIANS—NOTE ON PHILIPPIANS 3:9 Christians are FOUND in Christ and therefore not found guilty before God. THROUGH FAITH IN CHRIST. God credits Christ’s lifelong record of perfect obedience to the person who trusts in Christ for salvation. See note on Gal. 2:16. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getEl... [ Continue Reading ]
PHILIPPIANS—NOTE ON PHILIPPIANS 3:10 THE POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION. The power Christ exercises now from his position at the right hand of God. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
PHILIPPIANS—NOTE ON PHILIPPIANS 3:12 Paul stresses that he is not ALREADY PERFECT. He still struggles with sin. Jesus’ return and the end of sin remains in the future. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
PHILIPPIANS—NOTE ON PHILIPPIANS 3:14 The Greek word for GOAL can mean either the finish line in a race or an archery target. THE PRIZE for Christians is the blessings and rewards in the age to come. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
PHILIPPIANS—NOTE ON PHILIPPIANS 3:15 MATURE is the same adjective translated “perfect” in v. Philippians 3:12. Paul is essentially saying, “If you are really perfect/mature, you will realize that you are not yet perfect/mature!” ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0,... [ Continue Reading ]
PHILIPPIANS—NOTE ON PHILIPPIANS 3:17 Paul asks the Philippians to JOIN IN IMITATING ME and other mature Christians (compare Philippians 4:9; 1 Corinthians 11:1; 2 Thessalonians 3:8; Hebrews 13:7). ⇐ ⇔ [ Continue Reading ]
PHILIPPIANS—NOTE ON PHILIPPIANS 3:18 The ENEMIES OF THE CROSS could be the Judaizers of v. Philippians 3:2 or “worldly” people in general. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
PHILIPPIANS—NOTE ON PHILIPPIANS 3:20 CITIZENSHIP. See note on 1:27 and the esv footnote. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
PHILIPPIANS—NOTE ON PHILIPPIANS 3:21 TRANSFORM OUR LOWLY BODY TO BE LIKE HIS GLORIOUS BODY echoes Philippians 2:5. TO SUBJECT ALL THINGS TO HIMSELF is language about the Messiah drawn from the OT (e.g., Psalms 8:6; Psalms 110:1). ⇐ ⇔... [ Continue Reading ]