Philippians 3:1–11 (May 28, 2025)

Righteousness Through Faith in Christ

3:1 Finally, my brothers,[a] rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.

2 Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God[b] and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— 4 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 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law,[c] blameless. 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I 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 a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Footnotes

Philippians 3:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 13, 17

Philippians 3:3 Some manuscripts God in spirit

Philippians 3:6 Greek in the law

Summary

Paul begins with a pastoral safeguard: “Rejoice in the Lord” (v. 1). He warns the Philippians against false teachers—“dogs,” “evildoers,” “those who mutilate the flesh”—likely Judaizers who insisted on circumcision and law-keeping for righteousness. Paul boldly proclaims that true believers are the real circumcision, those who worship by the Spirit, glory in Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh.

He then turns autobiographical, listing his impeccable Jewish credentials (vv. 4–6). Yet he counts all of it as loss compared to the “surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus.” His language escalates in intensity: not only does he renounce confidence in the flesh, but he considers all things rubbish (σκύβαλον, skubalon)—a strong word meaning refuse or dung. Paul’s aim is clear: to gain Christ, be found in Him, and know Him—especially His resurrection power, suffering, death, and ultimate glory.

Who Is God?

God Is the All-Surpassing Treasure Found in Christ

“Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” (3:8)

God is not simply useful—He is supremely valuable. Paul’s pursuit is not merely heaven, but Christ Himself. The Greek word hyperchon (ὑπερέχουσα) for “surpassing” emphasizes that no status, possession, or religious effort can compare. This is not dry doctrine—it’s devotional desire. Knowing God in Christ is not informational, but relational, covenantal, and transformational. In a world that offers many "gains," Paul’s singular longing is the One who gave Himself for him.

What Is Our Guilt?

We Cling to Self-Righteousness and Count the Wrong Things as Gain

“...though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also…” (3:4)

“...not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law...” (3:9)

Our guilt is twofold: we trust in our spiritual résumé, and we misunderstand what truly counts as gain. Paul’s list—circumcision, tribe, law, zeal, blamelessness—was flawless by human standards. Yet he forsakes all of it. In contrast, we often measure ourselves by spiritual performance, moral behavior, or theological pedigree. Worse still, we may cling to cultural or ethnic superiority, seeing them as merits before God. Paul calls such things loss, even rubbish, when compared to knowing Christ.

How Does the Grace Shine?

Grace Grants Us Union with Christ in His Righteousness, Suffering, and Resurrection

“...that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own... but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith.” (3:8b–9)

Grace shines in three movements:

Justification – We are found in Christ, clothed not in our own righteousness but in His. The phrase “righteousness from God” (dikaiosynēn ek theou) is Paul’s shorthand for the gospel.

Sanctification – We know Him, not just intellectually, but through the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings.

Glorification – We become like Him in His death that we may attain the resurrection from the dead (v. 11).

Grace unites us to Christ in every aspect of His redemptive work—past, present, and future. All boasting is silenced; all glory is His.

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ,

You are the treasure beyond all treasures.

Forgive us for trusting in our own goodness or counting anything as gain apart from you.

Strip away our pride, our self-righteousness, and our love for lesser things.

Let us be found in you—clothed in your righteousness, shaped by your suffering, and raised by your power.

Teach us to rejoice not in our performance but in your surpassing worth.

In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.