Philippians Answers - Chapter 3

 

Philippians 3  What did Paul remind the believers to do which was a safeguard to them? vs.1 Rejoice in the Lord. Rejoicing as a Safeguard: Paul begins the chapter by again commanding the Philippians to rejoice. It is one of the most critical things they can do to guard their hearts against discouragement. It’s not just a good idea, it is a safeguard specifically designed by God for this purpose. How does it work? If I am choosing to rejoice in the Lord whatever my circumstances or situation, it will be nearly impossible to grumble and complain about them. It is an either/or proposition. A natural consequence of truly rejoicing in the Lord about something is the inability to complain about it. You cannot grumble and rejoice about the same thing at the same time. If you’re grumbling, you’re not rejoicing. Runge, S. E. (2011). High Definition Commentary: Philippians (Php 3:1–4a). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software. What three descriptions did Paul give to those they needed to "beware" of? vs. 2 Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision; Paul said he was of the "true" circumcision. What three things proved him to be? vs. 3 who worship in the Spirit of God glory in Christ Jesus put no confidence in the flesh. If Paul wanted to boast in his own flesh, he had some things he could boast about. (vs.4) What characteristics tied him to the Jewish faith? vs. 5,6 - Name 7 things he lists. Circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless. Whatever Paul had gained as a zealous Jew in his past, he had counted as loss for the surpassing value of knowing Christ, being found righteous in Him apart from the Law on the basis of faith. (vs.7-9). How did Paul want to be identified with Christ? vs.9-11. Name 5 Things. 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,   that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Why does Paul continue to "press on" in His calling? vs. 12 Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. [ESV] Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. [TNIV] I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. [MSG] What is the one thing that Paul does as he continues the race? vs.13 Forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead. Thing One, Thing Two: Paul introduces his big idea in a specific context, set up at the end of 3:13. He does so in two parts. The first part involves letting go of the past. The way this is phrased in Greek, the original audience would have expected some related element was coming before they even finished reading or hearing the first one. It’s the same kind of strategy that shippers use when they label boxes: “Box 1 of 2.” If they didn’t do this, we would only expect one box. The Greek word is usually left untranslated since there is no good English counterpart. Paul uses the word so that the Philippians would expect that more was coming, even before they hear about letting go of the past. Runge, S. E. (2011). High Definition Commentary: Philippians (Php 3:12–14). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software. What is the prize that Paul is reaching toward? vs. 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. [TNIV] Paul speaks these words to those who are mature in their faith. If anyone has a different attitude, he knows the Lord can reveal this to them. We need to live by the same standard to which we have attained. In other words, do not fall back in your progress in the race. Whose example does Paul ask you to follow? vs.17 Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. Why is Paul weeping in this letter to the Philippians? vs. 18 For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. [ESV] For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. [TNIV] There are many out there taking other paths, choosing other goals, and trying to get you to go along with them. I’ve warned you of them many times; sadly, I’m having to do it again. All they want is easy street. They hate Christ’s Cross. [MSG] Referring back to verse 2, Paul called these enemies of the cross "dogs, evil workers, and the false circumcision". What characteristics does he continue to speak of in regard to them? vs. 19 - Name 4 things whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things. Paul contrasts himself with these. Where is his citizenship and what is he waiting for? vs. 20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; What will happen to our bodies when the Lord comes back for His church? vs. 21 Who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself. who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. [ESV] who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. [TNIV] who will transform our earthy bodies into glorious bodies like his own. He’ll make us beautiful and whole with the same powerful skill by which he is putting everything as it should be, under and around him. [MSG] As you think back on this chapter, how are you running the race? Are you focused on the things of the earth or on the things of heaven? How will this chapter effect your life from this point on? Summarize and pray. The apostle exhorts to joy in the Lord, and gives cautions against false teachers, 1, 2; shows that the church of real Christians are the true “circumcision,” 3; and that he had better grounds of carnal confidence than most of those who trusted in the law, or inward distinctions, 4-6; But he had learned to count all his gain loss for Christ; yea, that he still counted all things, as loss and dung, compared with the knowledge of Christ, and the “righteousness of God by faith” in him, 7-9; desiring also to know the power of his resurrection, and to be conformed to him, even in suffering and death; if so be he might attain to the resurrection of the just, 10, 11. He owns, that he was not yet perfect, but that he anxiously and earnestly sought “the prize of the high calling of God,” 12-14. He exhorts to an imitation of his example, 15-17; as many, professing Christianity, “walked after the flesh,” in the way of destruction, 18, 19; with whom he contrasts true Christians, their heavenly conversation, and their expectation of Christ to raise their “vile body,” and render it “like to his glorified body,” 20, 21. Smith, J. H. (1992). The new treasury of scripture knowledge : The most complete listing of cross references available anywhere- every verse, every theme, every important word (1395). Nashville TN: Thomas Nelson. Prayer Father God, I pray ...