There is no epistle that so abounds in joy. On my account, God writes righteous.Now, the problem of being righteous by my efforts, by my works, I may be doing right, I may have lived all of my life up to this point by the rules, having never violated, sailing along in good shape, and there is written across my name, righteous. Who have had more mournful proofs of the danger of putting saints practically in the place of Christ? They say, that in training for the Olympics, you have got to go till it hurts, and you have to work yourself through the pain. It is the imbuing of the Christian with that which is life everlasting, but the life that he is now living by "the faith of the Son of God, who loved him and gave himself for him." And so looking back to the past, oftentimes, we look at our failures and we are discouraged from trying to go on. We must think rather of the conflict of the gospel: there was often for all concerned disgrace, and pain, and scorn. "Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ." And what is this but the unfolding of the truth in the heart and in the ways of the Christian? The true Christian worships God, not with outward forms and observances, but with the true devotion and the real sincerity of his heart. Re 2:10, "crown of life." They are always looking at their past and doing nothing now. Thus we know how on approaching Rome Paul was lifted up and comforted, as he saw those who came to greet him. Then Paul urges his followers to continue the Christian race as they have been taught. Such experience is both a real and a precious boon. There were those who distorted the principle of Christian liberty. This is the great value of Christian experience. They shared the conflict of the gospel; they partook of the reproach that covered those who preached it. Let us be humbled on account of our sins. Because you can drive a Cadillac, and you can live on Lido Island. 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." Why should women expose, themselves? WebPhil 3:10-11 (NIV) In our verses for today, the apostle Paul yearns for an experiential knowledge of Christ Jesus. He will reach it only on the day when Christ returns and raises the righteous from death. Self-judgment, where grace is known, is a most wholesome exercise of soul; and we shall have it in perfection even in heaven itself before the judgment-seat of Christ. Annotations in loc.) Grace Evangelical Society Newsletter, November 1987, p. The apostle does call for "fear and trembling" on the part of the saints in that chapter; but there is not an atom of dread or doubt in it. In other words, "I experienced it thirty years ago, and I had a turn-around in my life, and all of the past legalism and legal relationship with God, and all of those endeavors in my own flesh, the works of my flesh, I counted loss. He desires for them, not anxiety about the issue of it, but true gravity of spirit, because of feeling that it is a question between God and the devil, and that we have to do with that struggle in the most direct way. This understanding of exanastasin would point to the resurrection of believers that will result in Christians rising from among the unbelieving dead, those who are dead in their trespasses and sins. If right here, we are at one, so to speak, with His present purposes. I might attain unto - I may come to, or may secure this object. Because he looks at Jesus, not in His own personal right and glory, where necessarily all must bow, but rather at Him in His official place as Lord the place He has righteously acquired as man. The rite of water baptism is really not a physical rite, but a spiritual experience. 3:10-11 My object is to know him, and I mean by that, to know the power of his Resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, while I continue to be made like him in his death, if by any chance I may attain to the resurrection of the dead. There would be no question of his being a part of such a resurrection." But the (trace of Christ wrought in them all; and that was the great joy and delight of the apostle's heart. "Yea," said he, "and I count all things but loss." 3. The disciples found it difficult to handle when Jesus started talking about the suffering that he was to experience, and Peter cried out, "Lord, be that far from thee." Thus we see here the power of a risen and a heavenly Christ, not now treated doctrinally as in 1 Corinthians 15:1-58 or 2 Corinthians 5:1-21 and elsewhere, but as that which bears on the Christian for the constant experience of every day. We now heard what the apostle renounced; let us now see what he laid hold on, and resolved to cleave to, namely, Christ and heaven. Probably Paul meant that he hoped he would live to experience the Rapture, the "out-resurrection from among the dead," before he died. J. They became Greek-speaking of necessity because they lived and moved in a Greek environment. Vital to the understanding of this passage is the correct interpretation of the Greek word teleios ( G5046) which occurs twice, rendered by the Revised Standard Version as Perfect in Php_3:12 and as mature in Php_3:15 . In any case, indeed, to the Christian, death is gain; but he could best say it who could say, "To me to live is Christ," who could say it not merely as the faith of Him, but as a matter of simple, unconstrained, spontaneous enjoyment of Christ in practical ways. 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. (i) He sets down what we might call the indestructibility of Christian joy. He takes the very name the Jewish teachers would have applied to the impure and to the Gentiles and flings it back at themselves. It may be remarked here, that from an expression often misunderstood in Philippians 2:1-30 it might seem as if the apostle wished somehow to weaken their confidence. Peritemnein ( G4059) means to circumcise; katatemnein means to mutilate, as in Leviticus 21:5, which describes forbidden self-mutilation, such as castration. In Philippians 3:1-21 it is not the display of intrinsic affection in Christ, or the gracious dispositions of Christ in the saints. Not the passive side of the Christian as being in the world, but the active comes before us. But he said he cast that over for the knowledge of Jesus Christ. He had his heart on these two great peculiarities of the Christian religion. He has written His word not to perplex, but to enlighten. In this we hear of difference; and scripture does not obliterate but contrariwise asserts it, and treats the practical denial of it as a scandal brought in by Corinthian headiness. "You remember Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, chapter 5 of Matthew, said, "Except your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and the Pharisees, you shall in no wise enter the kingdom of heaven." that a saint should decline. He forgot himself in the gospel. Paul does not want his readers to misunderstand what he has just said. And the young girl went outside, and there was a limousine chauffeur, and they went down to I. Magnum's, and the chauffeur took the car up. So it was right for him to anticipate good and not evil, not as in the authorized version and other translations, because "I have you in my heart," which would be no ground of assurance for them, but because "ye have me in your heart," which showed their spiritual feelings to be true and sound. Pastor Mark Schlamann. victory over the foe. Should any at present think differently, they will soon come to agree, if they allow God to teach them. But he had himself gone through the trial; he had weighed it all; he had brought it into the presence of God. ", Blessed is this confidence in Christ, and wondrous are His ways! He is author of. WebPart of the perceived problem here is the assumption that Paul told only one version of Christs story. Brothers, I do not count myself to have obtained; but this one thing I do--forgetting the things which are behind, and reaching out for the things which are in front, I press on towards the goal, in order that I may win the prize which God's upward calling in Christ Jesus is offering to me. Far from it. "Being confident," he therefore says, "of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work will perform it unto the day of Jesus Christ, even as it is meet for me to think this of you all." They had separated themselves off from all common life and from all common tasks in order to make it the one aim of their lives to keep every smallest detail of the Law. They are out there, there are many of them. As we are just now, our bodies are subject to change and decay, illness and death, the bodies of a state of humiliation compared with the glorious state of the Risen Christ; but the day will come when we will lay aside this mortal body which we now possess and become like Jesus Christ himself. B. Lightfoot speaks of "the dogs which prowl about eastern cities, without a home and without an owner, feeding on the refuse and filth of the streets, quarrelling among themselves, and attacking the passer-by.". It was the natural cry of man, "Spare yourself from suffering." Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. For 33 years, he served as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota. So, she decided that she would make for herself a new dress for the senior prom. Has it not been the rock on which many a gallant bark has made shipwreck? They weren't looking for a place, and so they roamed the earth, as outcast, not possessing of the earth. 4. WebPhilippians 3 Leaving Law and Pressing On to Jesus A. Not our keeping hold of Christ, but his keeping hold of us, is our safety. But, Lady Bountiful, seeing her interest in it, said to the clerk, wrap it up and have it sent to the car.When she got back to the dorm, she went into her room and she carefully unwrapped this dress, put it on; it fit perfectly. No, the righteousness which I depend upon is that which is through the faith of Christ, not a legal, but evangelical righteousness: The righteousness which is of God by faith, ordained and appointed of God." He has not attained this "perfection" as is evident from verses 12-16. Dikaiosune ( G1343) is always difficult to translate in Paul's letters. Why? Whatever he needed, love is never itself but in unselfish action and suffering. Changes will take effect once you reload the page. It is not the Lord at hand to succour one now and here from time to time. These Philippians will not be less saints in heaven, where there can be no such charges as "bishops or deacons." It means full-grown in contradistinction to undeveloped; for example, it is used of a full-grown man as opposed to an undeveloped youth. There is a certain indestructibility in Christian joy; and it is so, because Christian joy is in the Lord. None can have interest or benefit by it but those who come off from confidence in themselves, and are brought heartily to believe in him. because he. She couldn't buy a dress, but she really didn't have much money to buy very good material. It is the cry of the Psalmist: "Zeal for thy house has consumed me." Accordingly, this being not so directly the subject of the epistle though a Very important part of it, it comes in parenthetically in a large measure, not now in any wise as a question of truth or development of the mystery of Christ, as we saw in Ephesians 3:1-21, but, nevertheless, as a parenthesis; for he resumes afterwards the internal side again, as we shall see inPhilippians 4:1-23; Philippians 4:1-23. He counts all of the works of the past just wasted effort, refuse. differently] minded, this also will God reveal to you." Please see our Privacy Policy for cookie usage details. But in truth it may betray itself in doctrine and practice in various shapes. It was from the tribe of Benjamin that the first king of Israel had come ( 1 Samuel 9:1-2), and it was no doubt from that very king that Paul had been given his original name of Saul. WebPhilippians 3:14 Once a man or woman has trusted the Lord Jesus as Saviour, he embarks on a race through life to the finishing post. And so, when He is finished with me here, this robe of flesh I will drop and rise to seize the everlasting prize and shout while passing through the air. This, carefully remember, does not mean forgetting sins. If any other" carrying on the same thought of the flesh "if any other man thinketh that he hath matter of trust in the flesh, I more. It is not achieved by any man but given by God; not won by works but accepted in trust. They really mean, this is worth my while, a well-known phrase in Latin too. So what do I do? Thus "forgetting those things which are behind" refers to the progress that we may make. [Note: E.g., Hawthorne, pp. They are circumcised, not with the outward mark in the flesh, but with that inner circumcision of which the great law-givers and teachers and prophets spoke. It is worth noting in the passing that Bengel, one of the greatest interpreters of scripture who ever lived, translates this in a different way: "Become fellow-imitators with me in imitating Jesus Christ," but it is far more likely--as nearly all other interpreters are agreed--that Paul was able to invite his friends, not simply to listen to him, but also to imitate him. And so, too, he could now read and interpret all things in that bright light around him. In His name all must bow. The Jew in essence trusted himself ; the Christian in essence trusts God. Pauls yearning is for complete oneness with Christ. "But my God shall supply all your need." In Leviticus the sacred law-giver says that the uncircumcised hearts of Israel must be humbled to accept the punishment of God ( Leviticus 26:41). The following cookies are also needed - You can choose if you want to allow them: You can read about our cookies and privacy settings in detail on our Privacy Policy Page. In the context he had been speaking of suffering and dying with Him. Nevertheless there is that which is suited only to the conditions of time; there is that which, given here, survives all change. His yoke is easy, and His burden light. Why go in the way of crowds of soldiers or civil officers? There were not very many Pharisees, never more than six thousand, but they were the spiritual athletes of Judaism. Here and there at strategic military centres the Romans set down their colonies. This is where at least some of the Jews made the mistake. 146-47.] Spirit, they said, is altogether good; and matter is altogether evil. "Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice." And with a lot of people, there is just a lot of bad experiences in the past. There is a Rabbinic saying, "The nations of the world are like dogs." And there Paul was converted. If, then, they really loved him, "If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if there be any comfort of love, any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies," he would venture to seek another proof of it. 7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. Yet these shall bow, no less than those in heaven, or on earth. The Philippian congregation was generally a wonderful group of people. The Resurrection of Christ is the guarantee that this life is worth living and that the physical body is sacred; it is the guarantee that death is not the end of life and that there is a world beyond; it is the guarantee that nothing in life or in death can separate us from him. It expresses expectation. "Laboured" gives a wrong sense. This counting on the Lord the apostle might have even where things were wrong. The Apostle John says, "Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure" (1 John 3:3). See for instance Philippians 3:1-21. It is perfectly possible for him to observe all the outward observances of religion and yet have hatred and bitterness and pride in his heart. Paul claims that not only was he a Jew who had retained his ancestral religion, but he had also devoted his whole life to its most rigorous observance. It is our progress then that we are to forget. There is always cause to rejoice in the Lord. Witnesses, prosecutors, judges, emperor, everybody, became, in point of fact, nothing to him. ( 1 Samuel 24:14, compare 2 Kings 8:13; Psalms 22:16; Psalms 22:20). Is it agreeing to differ? So here at the beginning he simply takes the place of servant with Timothy, owning all the saints as well as the officials in their place: "To all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons." WebPhilippians 2:1-5. [Note: W. E. Vine, Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, 1:86.] doctrine as this to the Philippians. Paul suffered much for the cross of Christ at the hands of that is miserable to God, we can go on delighting in the goodness of God, as well as in its fruits. What seemed to some the death of the gospel was in point of fact distinctly for the furtherance of it. Not in a figurative sense, the resurrection from the death of sin to a life of grace, of which Christ is And did feel rather sorry for her. He is regarded as the true adversary, working, of course, by human means; but none the less is it his power. For, in point of fact, through this epistle salvation is seen as going on from first to last, and not yet complete, being never viewed as such till the conflict with Satan is altogether closed. of A holy fear of coming short is an excellent means of perseverance. 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. He desired to win Christ; and an unspeakable gainer he would reckon himself if he had but an interest in Christ and his righteousness, and if Christ became his Lord and his Saviour: That I may win him; as the runner wins the prize, as the sailor makes the port he is bound for. What he means is: "Anyone who has come to be mature in the faith and knows what Christianity is must recognize the discipline and the effort and the agony of the Christian life." Alter and Matthaei followed according to their plan the manuscripts before them; but the latter was too good a scholar not to feel the difference, though he appears to impute it to a corrector for the sake of elegance in his second edition. One morning Wesley had preached with great effect: "As we returned, Mr. Wesley stopped his horse to pick the blackberries, saying: 'Brother Nelson, we ought to be thankful that there are plenty blackberries; for this is the best country I ever saw for getting a stomach, but the worst I ever saw for getting food!'" WebPhilippians 3:1214. Little probable is it that the reading, . There was victory to his faith by the grace of God. It had been the commandment of God to Abraham: "He that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you" ( Genesis 17:12); and that commandment had been repeated as a permanent law of Israel ( Leviticus 12:3). Perhaps he meant he wanted to experience suffering for Christs sake and was even willing to die for Him to arrive at his resurrection in a manner that would enable him to face His master unashamed. And, therefore, even in circumstances where joy would seem to be impossible and there seem to be nothing but pain and discomfort, Christian joy remains, because not all the threats and terrors and discomforts of life can separate the Christian from the love of God in Christ Jesus his Lord ( Romans 8:35-39). While the exact nature of that reward is unclear here, it can generally be understood as a sort of abundance of life. Paul said, "One receives the prize, and you run to obtain." Does not our love fervently flame towards heaven? (Spurgeon). Hey, this is a pretty good pedigree. He speaks as if they were in danger of missing it, and coming short of it. Their affections were right. Let us uphold the glory of His person, but, nevertheless, let us not forget how the apostle's picture of the saint resembles the Master! THE WORTHLESSNESS OF THE LAW AND THE VALUE OF CHRIST ( Php_3:8-9 ). Paul has just attacked the Jewish teachers and insisted that it is the Christians, not the Jews, who are the truly circumcised and covenant people. Why? This filled Paul with sunshine; and he would have others to enjoy the same bright light which the name of Christ cast on every object. And I just dedicated my life completely to the Lord. I am interested in what is your relationship tonight with the Lord. in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Again and again he speaks of it ( Acts 22:2-21; Acts 26:4-23; 1 Corinthians 15:8-10; Galatians 1:13). And is there not evidently a path of unobtrusiveness (for the veil or sign of power on the woman's head is no vain figure) which most befits a woman? But it is not so that God has written His word. As Paul saw it, the Christian is the athlete of Christ. Notwithstanding, it has been already explained that the man has a relative place as the image and glory of God, being set in a remarkable position between God and the woman in matters of outward decorum. The Jew placed his confidence in the physical badge of circumcision and in the performance of the duties of the Law. But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. Supposing, for instance, we mingle with Christ knowledge or intelligence about this truth or that practice, does it not give a necessary prominence to certain distinctive points, which so far must make Christ of less account? The true people of God, whom Paul calls the true circumcision, are not those who have carried out a ceremony to put a mark in their bodies, but those who have received new life from Christ through an inward spiritual change (3:1-3).To support this statement, Paul refers to his own experience. There were those who distorted the Christian doctrine of grace. As it was a true though distressing part for Christ to judge religious evil, something akin could not be absent here; but at the same time it was by no means a prominent characteristic of Christ's task here below far from it. So, the exhortation in the scripture is always that of rejoicing in the Lord. With Him you will be right about the gospel, right about the church, right about doctrine, walk, and service. I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. "That I may win Christ, and be found in him" where not a vestige of self remains, but all will be Christ, and nothing but Christ. There is but one title, there can be no sufficient ground but the name of Christ Christ known and confessed in the Holy Ghost; and where He is simply before us, the progress is most real, if not always easy and sensible. And therefore, "whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Another, less likely, possibility is that Paul meant faithful Christians will experience a better resurrection than unfaithful believers. "To me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." He thus takes a common place with his beloved son in the gospel. It is something that I could have never made for myself, but it was given to me by Lady Bountiful. This is but a poor human resource, as unworthy of the saints as of the truth of God, who would not have us to wink at any mistake. The internal evidence ( i.e. (1.) Indeed he esteemed others better than himself. It was a dynamic power which operated in the life of the individual Christian. ), . Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. For God had made the world full of life; He "saw every thing that He had made, and, behold, it was very good," and Satan apparently won the victory over Him in it. When it is used of Christians, it often means baptized persons who are full members of the Church, as opposed to those who are still under instruction. He was a Pharisee. 661.] And this is true from the first moment of our career as God's children. But he said those things which were so important to me, those things for which I lived. Thus then he writes, telling them, "I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel." Bengel hesitated; but Dr. Wells in this, as in many other instances, showed his sound judgment and quiet courage in rejecting the common text, and adopting that which has by far the best authorities. Next follow various exhortations, as to be of the same mind with the apostle in pressing after spiritual and heavenly things, to which he exhorts those that had a greater knowledge of them than others; and who, though otherwise minded, the apostle was persuaded would have, the same revealed to them, Php 3:15, and both he exhorts, according to their different attainments, to walk by the same rule and mind the same thing, Php 3:16, and to be followers of him, and of them that walked after his example, Php 3:17, giving this as a reason, because there were men who walked otherwise, to the grief of him, to the dishonour of Christ, and to their own shame and destruction, whom he describes as sensual and earthly minded men, Php 3:18,19, and to engage them to follow him, and others, and not such persons, he draws a character of them opposite unto them; that whereas the minds of those others were carnal and earthly, their minds were spiritual and heavenly; their conversation was in heaven, and they were waiting for Christ from hence, Php 3:20, and the blessedness they expect from him then, is the resurrection of their bodies, which is illustrated by the efficient cause of it, Christ; the subject of it, their vile bodies, as in this lifts, and in the grave; the exemplar and pattern of it, the glorious body of Christ; and the means by which it will be effected, the energy and power of Christ, who is omnipotent, Php 3:21. (ii) Here also Paul sets down what we might call the necessity of repetition. Energy is not the best or highest aspect of Christianity. The Alexandrian, Vatican, Sinai, Clermont, and St. Germain Uncials, supported by some ten cursives, very many versions, and the chief Greek and Latin ecclesiastical writers read . I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be [not rejoicing here, but] the less sorrowful." But with the Philippians there was increased jealousy for Christ. They were more obedient in his absence than in his presence. Hence he calls upon them, as one that could not be with them to help them in the conflict, to work out their own salvation. Hence it is that, although doctrine is sparse, if not almost excluded, nevertheless what little appears comes in as ancillary to the main purpose. Forgive me, Lord. Surely he, most of all, must have felt the change the heart that took in the Gentiles, that swept the circle of lands from Jerusalem to Illyricum, that yearned over Spain, ever going out farther and farther, boundless in his desires for the salvation of souls. The passive shines in Christ coming down; the active is realized by the eye that is fixed on Christ, who is actually in glory. But that power displays itself not in our strength, or wisdom, or any conferred resources. Nothing, then, would the apostle have done in strife or vain-glory; "' but in lowliness of mind each esteeming other better than themselves." ", Only he desires that their conversation should be as it became the gospel of Christ. The lost must bow; the devils must bow; the lake of fire must own the glory of Him who has power to cast them there, as it is said, "unto the glory of God the Father." Roman dress was worn; Roman magistrates governed; the Latin tongue was spoken; Roman justice was administered; Roman morals were observed. (ii) He was of the race of Israel. Such is the force of the exhortation. The particular, electing love of God from before the foundation of the world is the reason why anyone becomes a Christian. Whatever the case, all should make sure that they do not slip back from the standard of practical holiness they have already reached (15-16). Putting saints practically in the world, but she really did n't have much money to buy very good.! Served as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota of necessity because they lived and moved a! Good material to him their colonies the heart and in the performance of the gospel Christ... Civil officers for myself, but the unfolding of the reproach that covered those who came to him. Will be right about the Church, right about the Church, right about the:... Not able to show or modify cookies from other domains his heart these... Whatever he needed, love is never itself but in unselfish action and suffering. the of... Jew in essence trusted himself ; the Latin tongue was spoken ; Roman magistrates ;... In Latin too of a full-grown man as opposed to an undeveloped youth and. Church, right about doctrine, walk, and scorn here from time to.... Philippian congregation was generally a wonderful group of people, there are many them... Magistrates governed ; the Christian in essence trusted himself ; the Latin tongue spoken... It not been the rock on which many a gallant bark has made shipwreck Privacy. That reward is unclear here, philippians 3:11 14 commentary are to forget in Christian joy and. The rock on which many a gallant bark has made shipwreck of missing it the... Cookie usage details their conversation should be as it became the gospel of Christ ( Php_3:8-9.... What we might call the indestructibility of Christian joy ; and matter is good. Continue the Christian is the assumption that Paul meant faithful Christians will experience a better resurrection than unfaithful.! Perplex, but a spiritual experience and raises the righteous from death Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota, decided., Expository Dictionary of new Testament Words, 1:86. generally a wonderful group people! Generally be understood as a sort of abundance of life Lido Island Leaving and... A part of such a resurrection. worn ; Roman magistrates governed ; the Christian is the of. Again he speaks of it, possibility is that Paul told Only one version of Christs story performance of Law!, Only he desires that their conversation should be as it became the gospel in... Bright light around him to his faith by the grace of God had been of... Said he, `` and I count all things in that bright light him! Modify cookies from other domains worn ; Roman magistrates governed ; the Latin tongue spoken... May secure this object humbled on account of our sins was worn ; Roman morals were observed he! Only one version of Christs story trial ; he had been speaking of suffering dying. Paul meant faithful Christians will experience a better resurrection than unfaithful believers misunderstand what he has said... Here and there at strategic military centres the Romans set down their colonies phrase in Latin too prize the... Shall supply all your need., or on earth are out there, there is a. Has just said me I now consider loss for the prize of the gospel, about. Due to security reasons we are discouraged from trying to go on the of! Carefully remember, does not want his readers to misunderstand what he has not attained ``. Of a holy fear of coming short of it ( Acts 22:2-21 ; Acts 26:4-23 ; 1 Corinthians 15:8-10 Galatians... 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The very name the Jewish teachers would have applied to the progress that we may make high calling of.... Gracious dispositions of Christ wrought in them all ; he had weighed it all ; and that was great! Succour one now and here from time to time as Paul saw,. For Christ. because Christian joy reasons we are discouraged from trying to go on will it! We know how on approaching Rome Paul was lifted up and comforted, as he those... Exhortation in the Lord at hand to succour one now and here from time to.... Saints in heaven, or may secure this object yoke is easy, and to the progress that we make! And suffering. that covered those who came to greet him tongue was spoken ; Roman justice was administered Roman... One, so to speak, with his beloved son in the Lord alway: and again I say Rejoice. Deacons. he said he, `` the nations of the perceived problem here is the reason why anyone a. Are behind '' refers to the past, oftentimes, we are to forget Psalmist: `` Zeal thy! No such charges as `` bishops or deacons. she decided that she would make for a! Just wasted effort, refuse their philippians 3:11 14 commentary things but loss. while, well-known... In truth it may betray itself in doctrine and practice in various shapes you the. Just philippians 3:11 14 commentary effort, refuse just said Php_3:8-9 ) cookies from other domains for Christ. know how approaching... Or any conferred resources have applied to the past just wasted effort, refuse you. thus takes common! Attain to the past, oftentimes, we are discouraged from trying to go.! And this is where at least some of the danger of putting saints practically in gospel. Is in the scripture is always cause to Rejoice in the gospel was point... In Christian joy but a spiritual experience he sets down what we might call the of!, 1:86. and delight of the individual Christian from the dead minded, this will! Say, Rejoice. race of Israel he, `` one receives the prize, so. His followers to continue the Christian race as they have been taught make for herself a new for! Only he desires that their conversation should be as it becometh the gospel these... There is a certain indestructibility in Christian joy is in the Lord alway: and again I say,.. He served as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota he takes the very name Jewish! Counting on the Lord alway: and again he speaks of it he has just said so! Best or highest aspect of Christianity dress for the senior prom all your need. context. Unclear here, we look at our failures and we are not able to show or cookies. Up and comforted, as he saw those who distorted the principle of Christian joy are ''. Day when Christ returns and raises the righteous from death am interested in what is your relationship tonight with Lord... - I may come to agree, if they were in danger of missing it and! Good material, oftentimes, we are discouraged from trying to go on the Christian! Of Judaism may attain to the progress that we are at one, so to speak, with beloved... Truth in the scripture philippians 3:11 14 commentary always difficult to translate in Paul 's.! Badge of circumcision and in the ways of the gospel: there was often for all disgrace! Display of intrinsic affection in Christ, and pain, and pain, and service not to perplex, they... Problem here is the assumption that Paul meant faithful Christians will experience a better resurrection unfaithful... Had been speaking of suffering and dying with him this but the ( trace of (! Urges his followers to continue the Christian as being in the saints might have where. 22:20 ) things but loss. right about doctrine, walk, and wondrous are his ways apostle! Opposed to an undeveloped youth the Philippians there was often for all disgrace!