Verse 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.
The Apostle Paul uses the word “finally” as he sums up his thoughts and instructions in this epistle to the Philippian church. He apparently had said them before and is repeating some of them to remind the people of the information that will keep them safe in the Faith and out of the deception of this world.
Verses 2-3 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.
The Greek word translated as dogs is “kuon” and it means a dog or it is metaphor for a man of impure mind. In the verse above, it us obviously being used by the Apostle Paul in a metaphorical manner. Evil workers are people who plan and carry out their plans to commit evil thoughts, actions or words. The concision is translated from the Greek word “katatome” and it means to cut up or mutilate. This has traditionally been attributed to the religious Jews as their goal was/is to “mutilate” or destroy Christianity. Mutilation of the skin or body is opposite to the precise surgical procedure of circumcision. Circumcision was commanded by God to differentiate the Hebrews from the peoples of the pagan nations around them. Put bluntly, it was to prevent sexual sin. Today, the Christian believer is metaphorically described as having the heart circumcised so that there is no restriction on their seat of emotions and they can fully follow the example of their loving Savior, Jesus. Like the Apostle Paul states above, true believers have no confidence in the flesh or in their own abilities, but they rely on the Holy Ghost/Spirit to lead and direct their lives
Verses 4-6 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.
The Apostle Paul points out that if anyone could claim success by their education, country of origin, genetic heritage, or standing in the religious and/or legal community, it would be he. He had all these attributes in the flesh and he had relied on them throughout his life, until he met Jesus when everything changed. He had taken his religious/political teaching and belief to the extreme and persecuted the people of God as a result of operating in the flesh or in his own abilities. From the perspective of the Jewish leadership, he was perfect.
Verses 7-9 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:
All the things listed above, and things/relationships that are not written about in his epistles, the Apostle Paul compared to manure versus his knowledge and relationship with the God of the universe, the LORD Jesus Christ. The only important thing in his world was to preach the Gospel to the unsaved and to see people accept the truth and follow after Jesus. Any righteousness that he had on his own was from following the law which was impossible to keep. But as a Christian believer, his righteous was from Jesus Christ and from the faith given to him by Jesus.
Verses 10-12 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.
The Apostle Paul wanted to be like Jesus. That is the meaning of the word “Christian”, to be Christ-like. As such, he knew that to be like Jesus Christ, he would know suffering. He was relying on the “power of his resurrection” to carry him through life and through the trials associated with his ministry. Satan, his adversary, was constantly trying to impede his mission to preach, teach and establish churches where ever he went. Remember that the Apostle Paul literally met the resurrected Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus where he was blinded so that he would have to listen to the LORD. (Acts chapter 9) So he knew first hand that the story of Jesus resurrecting from the grave was true.
Application: Notice that the Apostle Paul again indicates that the Christian walk is a process he was hoping to “attain”, the Greek word being “kutantao” which means to come to, or to arrive. It takes work and not easy believe-ism.
Verses 13-14 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.
Application: Continuing this topic, the Apostle Paul is saying that he has not already “made it” to the end of his spiritual journey but is forgetting his past and all of its sins against the LORD and against others and is going forward to the goal of eternal life with Christ Jesus. The Greek word translated as “press” is “dioko” and it means to run after, to pursue, to seek after eagerly, to earnestly endeavor to acquire, to run swiftly to reach the goal. As stated in the precious chapter, the Christian believer’s salvation is not attained until the race is finished, either by remaining true to the Gospel until physical death, or by being caught up with Jesus at His second and final coming to this wicked and perverse Earth. The Greek word translated as “high calling” is “ano” and it means up, upwards, above, on high, and refers to the Jerusalem which is above.
Verses 15-16 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.
The Greek word translated as “minded” is “phroneo” and it means to have understanding, to be wise, to direct one’s mind to a thing, to seek, to strive for, or to be modest. Should a Christian believer have thoughts that more closely mirror those of this sinful world, the Apostle Paul states that God will show the believer this error so that it can be corrected. Believers have to be “on the same page” with God and with each other, otherwise disharmony and strife will ocurr, harming the name of Jesus and His Church.
Verses 17-19 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.)
The Apostle Paul was so Christ-like that he could command other believers to follow him. This writer, considering self, often wonders if this can be attained before death as the study of Paul’s epistles continues. At present, this writer does not tell anyone to follow any example other than that of the Apostle Paul and of the LORD Jesus Christ as presented in the Bible as this writer falls very short of being of the stature and character of Paul the Apostle and is working on being more like Jesus. But this writer only hopes that this web site will be of benefit to others as they strive to walk in the Spirit of Jesus and to finish their race.
Application: Does God have enemies? According to the verses above, He does. Besides the usual – Satan and the rest of the devils, people who are anti Christ by choice – those people who pretend to be Christian believers and who preach and teach and emulate another gospel are also enemies of God. Why? Because they are deceiving others, confusing baby believers, and leading them deliberately down a path that can lead to their destruction, both physically and spiritually. God knows who they are, and whether they will repent (turn and go in the opposite direction) and cease their destructive ways. If they do not, their end is also destruction.
Verses 20-21 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 3)
Christian believers are citizens of Heaven and not citizens of any earthly country. As such, they need to reflect who they are by their Godly behavior and by their praying for and looking for the coming of Jesus Christ. The promise is that believers will receive a body that is like that which the LORD Jesus Christ had after His resurrection when he appeared to His disciples and many other people before ascending to Heaven. No more aches, pain, sickness, limitations or disabilities. Praise God for His promises.