Philippians 3:1-4:1 Lesson 382

Philippians 3:1-4:1
Lesson 382

Read both the "King James Bible" and the "New Living Translation."

In this lesson:

Paul's testimony.
The Christian goal (3:10-11).
What all believers should do (3:13-14).
False Christians (3:18-20).
When Jesus returns (3:21).

Typical Pharisee attire.

Who were the -

Pharisees -
Pharisee is a Hebrew word meaning "the separated ones." The Pharisees were one of four Jewish religious sects, along with the Sadducees, Zealots, and Essenes. They were a legalistic party of religious leaders who avoided everything that wasn't Jewish. The Pharisees were a dominant force in Jewish society who strictly, but often hypocritically, followed the Law of Moses (the Torah) and the "tradition of the elders" (Matthew 15:2). All religious ceremonies, prayers, and sacrifices were performed according to their decrees. The Pharisees believed in God, the authority of the Scriptures, the resurrection of the dead (Daniel 12:2), angels, and spirits (Acts 23:8). But they placed their own rules above God's. They continually added more and more of their own burdensome dictates on their followers to the point where true faith was lost. The Pharisees were good at spinning the truth and finding fault in others. They anticipated the Messiah's arrival but expected him to be a great military/political leader. They were so caught up in following the minute details of Jewish law that they didn't recognize Jesus as the Messiah they had been waiting on. They refused to accept Jesus even though they knew He performed miracles" (John 11:47) and witnessed some firsthand (Matthew 12:9-14; 21:14-15; Mark 3:1-6; Luke 5:24-26; 6:6-11; Luke 14:2-4). They fasted twice a week (Luke 18:10-12) and considered themselves more devout than other Jews. Yet, few Pharisees were truly religious. Jesus called them hypocrites on many occasions (Matthew 15:7-8; 22:18; 23:23-35; Luke 12:1). Their jealousy, pride, and anger towards Jesus turned to hatred, and their hatred led them to call for the crucifixion of the Messiah they had been waiting on. To rid themselves of Jesus, the anti-Roman Pharisees even "took counsel" with their bitter foes and pro-Roman Herodians (Mark 3:6). In Jesus' time, there were approximately six thousand Pharisees' in Palestine.

Judaizers -
Early Jewish converts to Christianity who believed that faith in Christ was not enough. They taught that salvation came through faith in Jesus and the Mosaic Law (Acts 15:5). They believed that Gentiles needed to become Jews, be circumcised (Acts 15:1; 15:24), then practice all the rites and ceremonies of Judaism before they could become Christians. This created unnecessary hurdles for non-Jews to overcome to follow Christ. God does not put-up hurdles. He accepts everyone who places their faith in Christ.

Study Tip:

Repetition is a tool writers use to emphasize key points.
When you see themes repeated in the Bible, it is a clue that God considers them important.
Hover over these passages a little longer to fully grasp their meaning.

The Epistle of Paul The Apostle To The Philippians

The King James Bible

Philippians 3:1-4:1
Rejoice in believing

1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.

2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.

3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:

5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;

6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:

19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

Philippians 4:1

1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.

Margin notes:

"Rejoice in the Lord." (3:1) - God's love and endless mercy should give every Christian reason to rejoice.

"To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous." (3:1) - "To write you again, to me is not a problem."

"Beware of dogs." (3:2) - The "dogs" are the false teachers called Judaizers.

"Beware of evil workers." (3:2) - An important message alerting believers to beware of temptation and those that bring it.

"Beware of the concision." (3:2) - "Beware of the circumcisers." This is another reference to the Judaizers who insisted that Christians must be circumcised to be saved.

"For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit." (3:3) - Christians are the true "circumcision," for they worship God in the spirit (John 4:23-24).

"No confidence in the flesh." (3:3) - "No trust in our human efforts." Again, good deeds will not earn salvation.

"Though I might also have confidence in the flesh." (3:4) - If anyone might believe they could save themselves, it was Paul.  He worked hard to follow all the rites and ceremonies of Judaism (3:5).

"If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more." (3:4) - "If anyone thinks they can trust their human efforts (to earn salvation), I have more reason." Despite all he had done as a practicing Jew and converted Christian, Paul knew he could not save himself. Salvation is not earned; it is a gift from God.

"Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel." (3:5) - Mosaic Law called for Jewish boys to be circumcised at eight days (Genesis 17:12; 21:4; Leviticus 12:3). Here, Paul is pointing out that before he found Christ, he was a devout Jew with deep ancestral roots. He was born and raised in a Jewish family and studied to become a Pharisee at the age of thirteen. If there was anyone who believed that salvation comes from our own efforts or good deeds, it was a Pharisee. Before his conversion, Paul was just such a Pharisee; now he considers those efforts worthless. This was not the only time Paul talked about his Jewish upbringing (Acts 22:3; 2 Corinthians 11:22).

"Of the tribe of Benjamin." (3:5) - Paul was descended from the tribe of Benjamin, a high honor in Judaism.

"Touching the law, a Pharisee." (3:5) - "Concerning the Mosaic Law, I was a Pharisee." Before converting to Christianity, Paul was a Pharisee (Acts 23:6).

"Concerning zeal, persecuting the church." (3:6) - Before his conversion. Paul zealously persecuted Christians (Acts 8:3; 9:1-2).

"Touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless." (3:6) - "When it came to obeying the Mosaic Law, I was without fault."

"But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ." (3:7) - "But what did I gain by following the law? Those things that I considered important, I now consider worthless."

"I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ." (3:8) - 'Everything in this world is worthless when compared to knowing Christ."

"I have suffered the loss of all things." (3:8) - "I have given up everything in order to follow Christ."

"Righteousness." (3:9) - Righteousness means being "in the right" or "not guilty" before God.  It is having the right relationship with God. "Under the Law of Moses, God demands righteousness from man. Under Grace, God gives righteousness to man." By Harold G. Ihlefeldt (1920-1971)

"Righteousness which is of God by faith." (3:9) - Righteousness is given to the believer when they accept Christ as their savior. From faith comes salvation, and from salvation comes righteousness (Romans 3:19-26).

"That I may know him." (3:10) - Not just to know of Jesus, but to believe and have faith in Christ as the Messiah.

"The fellowship of his sufferings." (3:10) - See Romans 6:3-8 and 2 Timothy 2:11-12.

"Made conformable." (3:10) - "Made similar." When we believe, we are changed. Our old selves died with Jesus on the cross.

"The resurrection of the dead." (3:11) -The resurrection of the dead will come on judgment day (1 Thessalonians 4:16; 1 Corinthians 15:52).

"Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect." (3:12) - Paul is telling us that he had not yet reached his goal.

"I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus." (3:12) - "I press on, that I may grasp all that Jesus Christ wants me to grasp."

"Forgetting those things which are behind." (3:13) - "Forget your past sins (God has) and forge ahead towards your new spiritual goals."

"I press toward the mark." (3:14) - "I press on towards my goal."

"Be Perfect, be thus minded." (3:15) - "Be mature, think like this." A mature Christian prays, studies the Bible, and works to implement God's teachings into their life.

"Be otherwise minded." (3:15) - "Be in disagreement with."

"Ensample." (3:17) - "Example."

"They are the enemies of the cross." (3:18) - Judaizers are the enemies of the cross.

"Our conversation is in heaven." (3:20) - "Our life is in heaven."

"Who shall change our vile body." (3:21) - Christ will change our mortal bodies into heavenly immortal ones on resurrection day (1 Corinthians 15:42-57).

We will be resurrected and glorified. To learn more, read 2 Corinthians 5:1-10 and Revelation 22:1-7.

New Living Translation

Philippians 3:1-4:1
The Priceless Value of Knowing Christ

1 Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard your faith.

2 Watch out for those dogs, those people who do evil, those mutilators who say you must be circumcised to be saved.

3 For we who worship by the Spirit of God are the ones who are truly circumcised. We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort,

4 though I could have confidence in my own effort if anyone could. Indeed, if others have reason for confidence in their own efforts, I have even more!

5 I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin-a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law.

6 I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault.

7 I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done.

8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ

9 and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God's way of making us right with himself depends on faith.

10 I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death,

11 so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!

Pressing toward the Goal

12 I don't mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.

13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,

14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

15 Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you.

16 But we must hold on to the progress we have already made.

17 Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example.

18 For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ.

19 They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth.

20 But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.

21 He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.

Philippians 4:1

1 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stay true to the Lord. I love you and long to see you, dear friends, for you are my joy and the crown I receive for my work.

This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."

Today's question:

1. What did Paul mean when he said, "have no confidence in the flesh?" (3:3)

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Answer: (Do you agree?)

1. By saying, "have no confidence in the flesh," Paul is telling us not to trust our good deeds, lifestyle, good intentions, or anything else to save us. Only faith in Jesus Christ ensures salvation.

Application thought for the day:

What does this passage teach about false righteousness?
Thank God for making righteousness available, ask Him to put it to work in your life.

Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; the "Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies;" "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers, published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Everyday Bible" published by World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house, Wheaten, Illinois; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House, Wheaten, Illinois; "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible." All were critical in putting these lessons together.
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