A SURPASSING WORTH

Passage: Philippians 3:1-11

Key verse: 9

NIV

No Confidence in the Flesh

3 Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again,(A) and it is a safeguard for you. 2 Watch out for those dogs,(B) those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. 3 For it is we who are the circumcision,(C) we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus,(D) and who put no confidence in the flesh— 4 though I myself have reasons for such confidence.(E)

If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised(F) on the eighth day, of the people of Israel,(G) of the tribe of Benjamin,(H) a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee;(I) 6 as for zeal,(J) persecuting the church;(K) as for righteousness based on the law,(L) faultless.

7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss(M) for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing(N) Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ(O) 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law,(P) but that which is through faith in[a] Christ—the righteousness(Q) that comes from God on the basis of faith.(R) 10 I want to know(S) Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings,(T) becoming like him in his death,(U) 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection(V) from the dead.

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Footnotes
  1. Philippians 3:9 Or through the faithfulness of
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Righteousness Through Faith in Christ

3 Finally, my brothers,[a] (A)rejoice in the Lord. (B)To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.

2 Look out for (C)the dogs, look out for (D)the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. 3 For (E)we are the circumcision, (F)who worship (G)by the Spirit of God[b] and (H)glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— 4 (I)though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 (J)circumcised on the eighth day, (K)of the people of Israel, (L)of the tribe of Benjamin, (M)a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, (N)a Pharisee; 6 (O)as to zeal, (P)a persecutor of the church; (Q)as to righteousness under the law,[c] blameless. 7 But (R)whatever gain I had, (S)I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of (T)the surpassing worth of (U)knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I (V)have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having (W)a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but (X)that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 (Y)that I may know him and (Z)the power of his resurrection, and (AA)may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may (AB)attain the resurrection from the dead.

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Footnotes
  1. Philippians 3:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 13, 17
  2. Philippians 3:3 Some manuscripts God in spirit
  3. Philippians 3:6 Greek in the law
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

Paul warned the Philippians against those who put their confidence in their flesh and deeds. He used to be like them. Paul had many reasons to be proud of himself and his accomplishments. He was driven and on his way into greater honor and glory in the political and religious establishment. Jesus met Paul in the midst of his passionate pursuit and blinded Paul so that his eyes may be truly opened to see what he was doing. Instead of judgment, Paul experienced God’s grace and an all-surpassing worth from knowing Christ. Upon his spiritual awakening, everything he previously accomplished became to him like garbage. He could never go back to his previous life and honors.

Paul had found in Christ a righteousness that was from God, received by faith, not by works. This realization changed his world-view from one of passionately trying to earn more worth, to passionately living, knowing that his worth and acceptance were already found in Christ. This new life was full of joy. Paul's fervor to know Christ continued to grow so that, even in suffering, he could experience Christ's grace and power more.

Prayer: Lord, there are a lot of bad habits that I want to unlearn and be free of. Help me to live a life of joy in the faith of your unmerited grace and righteousness, and even in suffering, to know you more.

One Word: Lose all to gain Christ