Commentary on Philippians 3

This translation of Philippians is my own.

I am not a Greek scholar. I did not want to use a copyrighted version, and I didn't want to use an awkward, ancient version. So I've update the language of the KJV myself. I have diligently compared commentaries, lexicons, and other translations to ensure that the only thing I change is wording, not meaning.

If for any reason I've departed from what is commonly accepted, then I have noted it in the sidenotes. I will always give you good authority and a thorough explanation for doing so.

The translation is in the main text. Commentary is in the sidebars and center boxes.

Philippians 3

¹Finally, brothers, rejoice in the Lord. It is no trouble to me to write the same things to you, and for you it is safe.

Any of you who teach should remember this and 2 Peter 1:12-13. We Christians need to be reminded of our call and our purpose. It is not a problem for teachers to teach some of the same things over and over, especially the basics.

Anyone who reads the early Christian writings will see how much of their writings are devoted to exhorting us to obey God. In fact, Justin Martyr says that this was the center of the weekly meetings of the early church:

As long as time permits the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read. Then, when the reader has stopped, the brother that is presiding verbally instructs and exhorts us to imitate these good things. (First Apology 67)

Let us not be afraid to repeatedly exhort the family of God to maintain good works (Tit. 3:8) and to trust in the grace of God that empowers us to do so (Rom. 6:14).

²Beware of dogs; beware of evil workers; beware of the mutilation.

Paul is unafraid to use harsh terms of those who would stand in the way of the Gospel of Christ.

Paul was a man whose eyes never left his goal. He was in a battle with spiritual forces, and he knew it and never lost sight of it.

The Circumcision

Verse 3, together with Romans 2:28-29, makes it clear that Paul did not envision two chosen people. There is only one chosen people, and their circumcision is spiritual:

He is not a Jew who is one outwardly. Nor is it circumcision if it is outside in the flesh. Instead, he is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is of the heart; in the spirit and not in the letter. Such a person is not praised by men but by God. (Rom. 2:28-29)

Further, Paul mentions only one tree in Romans 11:17-24. There are not two trees. Some of the branches are broken off, and some wild branches (Gentiles) are grafted in, but it is all one tree.

The Scriptures do prophesy that all Israel will be saved, but the the context makes it clear that the only way they will be saved is by being grafted into the very tree that they were broken off of.

And they also, if they do not remain in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. (Rom. 11:23)

Thus, the one plot of land—a spiritual one—has been taken from fleshly Israel and turned over to spiritual Israel (Matt. 21:43). Yet there remains one plot of land, not two.

We want all Israel to be saved. It is the prayer of our hearts. But they can only be saved by being grafted into Christ. They will not be a separate people. God has "broken down the dividing wall" and made "one new man" of Israel and the Gentiles once they enter into Christ (Eph. 2:12-22).

³For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and do not trust in the flesh. ⁴Although I could have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks about trusting in the flesh, I could even more!

⁵Circumcised the eighth day
Of the race of Israel
Of the tribe of Benjamin
A Hebrew of Hebrews
Concerning the Law, a Pharisee
⁶Concerning zeal, persecuting the church
Concerning the righteousness which is in the Law, blameless

⁷But whatever was an advantage for me, I considered a loss for Christ. ⁸Yes, rather let me say, I consider everything a loss for the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of everything. I count it all rubbish so that I may obtain Christ ⁹and be found in him, not with my own righteousness which is from the Law, but with that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith.

¹⁰My goal is to know him, the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, so that I may be conformed to his death. ¹¹The goal is to arrive at the resurrection of the dead.

¹²It's not that I've already received or am already completed. Instead, I pursue so that I may take hold of that for which I am also taken hold of by Christ Jesus.

¹³Brothers, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it, but I do one thing. I forget what's behind and stretch towards the things that are in front. ¹⁴I race towards the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

¹⁵Therefore let all of us who are mature think this way, and if any of you think differently, God will reveal even this to you.

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