PHILIPPIANS 3:7-16

7 (But) whatever gains I had, these I have come to consider a loss because of Christ.  8 More than that, I even consider everything as a loss because of the supreme good of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have accepted the loss of all things and I consider them so much rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having any righteousness of my own based on the law but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God, depending on faith 10 to know him and the power of his resurrection and (the) sharing of his sufferings by being conformed to his death, 11 if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead.  12 It is not that I have already taken hold of it or have already attained perfect maturity, but I continue my pursuit in hope that I may possess it since I have indeed been taken possession of by Christ (Jesus).  13 Brothers, I for my part do not consider myself to have taken possession. Just one thing: forgetting what lies behind but straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I continue my pursuit toward the goal, the prize of God's upward calling, in Christ Jesus.  15 Let us, then, who are "perfectly mature" adopt this attitude. And if you have a different attitude, this too God will reveal to you.  16 Only, with regard to what we have attained, continue on the same course.

STATE OF RESEARCH

            The letter by Paul to the Philippians has many different hypotheses about the make up of the letter.  Some advocated the main purpose of the letter is to just give thanks for a gift received from the Philippians (4:10-20); so while giving thanks, he also wrote about other issues and situations such as possible internal dissension (Phil. 1:27-2:4; 4:2-3), opposition from outsiders (Phil. 1:28-29), and threats from Jewish-Christian preachers (Phil. 3:1-4:1).[i]   Others advocate the letter to the Philippians is actually a copulation of parts of other letters combined with this letter of thanks.[ii]  There are many scholars in the past that believed that the verses focused on in this paper were part of an independent, highly polemical letter (Phil. 3:1-4:1).  Even though many have argued that this letter is actually more than one letter, this argument has been largely diminished by arguments for the unity of the letter.[iii]

If the position is taken for the unity of the letter to the Philippians, then there are still arguments for reason or the focus of the letter.  While many will hold to the view of the letter as a thanksgiving letter plus other issues, one could argue that the focus is much more on the transformation of the lives of Christians to live a cruciform life in the face of internal and external challenges to the gospel.  This transformation of the lives to cruciformity is also the main focus for Paul in Philippians 3:7-16.

Overall, the core to this letter is found in Philippians 2:6-11.  Some view this letter as an extended meditation on, or exegesis of, the “Christ hymn” (Phil. 2:6-11).[iv]  This composition by Paul while in prison is a letter that relates the “Christ hymn” to the community in Philippi.  In this story of Christ told in the hymn, Paul utilizes the characteristics of Christ such as: the obedience of the servant, faithfulness to God, and his self-sacrificial love for others to teach the community.  By using the hymn as the core, Paul can demonstrate a self-emptying power and a hope that a future reality with God is available for those who suffering for God.  As a result of the use of the hymn by Paul, it becomes a template for faith, love, power, and hope for a transformed community to fight battles against opposition and discord.  Thus, by the view of many scholars of Philippians 2:6-11 as the core of the letter the Philippians, the reflection of the lessons of the hymn can be seen in Philippians 3:7-16, since it follows the same format of “privilege – death - exhortation”.[v].

I           3:7-8 Paul Consider All a “Loss” to “Gain Christ.”

In these verses, Paul informs the Philippians about a drastic change from his former values since he encountered Christ.  Paul explains his extreme reconsideration of values using economic terms of “gains” and “losses.”[vi]   The “gains” which was his status in Judaism converted to a present perception of a “loss” which is “everything,” when compared to the one asset of “gaining” or “knowing” Christ.  The new view of “everything” as losses by Paul is not just a perception.  It was very real when “gaining” Christ, because he has in fact lost “everything” by forfeiting his former status and achievements in the Law.  By “gaining” Christ, Paul found his set of values reversed.  Everything that he once considered as successes and accomplishments is now considered worthless.  According to his previous set of values, he had every reason to be “confident in flesh.”  He was born under highly venerated conditions as a Hebrew of Hebrew parentage and a part of the race of Israel and the tribe of Benjamin.  He was circumcised on the eighth day and observed the law as a Pharisee.  Plus, he zealously persecuted the church and was irreproachable according to the righteousness of the law.  All these things which was held in such high regard is now considered “rubbish” or literally “dung” when matched up against “gaining” Christ. 

This section starts with Paul diminishing all grounds for confidence and boasting (Phil. 3:4-6) by calling them all a “loss” due to Christ.  As Paul continues in the next verse, he reiterates the same message but expands the “loss” and the reason for the “loss.”  The “loss” is no longer just the grounds for confidence and boasting, but it has expanded to “everything.”  And the reason for the “loss” is not just a result of Christ, but it is the “supreme good of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.”  By the use of this verse, Paul further clarifies by reason of his encounter with Christ that everything outside of a relationship with Christ no longer has value.[vii]  The value of “supreme good of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” makes his former values of far less worth.  This further clarification by Paul can be viewed more noticeably if the structure of his statements concerning his former values and his present values are presented in a diagram. [viii]

Verse    Former Values                                                Present Values

7            these I have considered a loss                      because of Christ

8a          I even consider everything as a loss             because of the 

                                                                                        supreme good of

                                                                                        knowing Christ

                                                                                        Jesus my Lord.

8b          I have accepted the loss of all things            for his [Christ's]

                                                                                        sake

8c          and I consider them so much rubbish           that I may gain

                                                                                        Christ

It is clear that the former values increase their sense of loss in each statement.[ix]  In the beginning of this section, the object is “whatever” gains which progresses to “these” and finally becomes “all” things in last verse.[x]  Also, Paul uses the word “loss” and “consider” three times in these two verses.  With this repetition of the word “loss,” he greatly emphasizes the worthlessness of his former values.[xi]  With this repetition of the word “consider,” he exploits a distinction between the past and the present.[xii]  This exposed progressions from the diagram clearly and forcefully reiterates the main message that Paul relays to the audience in these two verse; everything outside of a relationship with Christ has become a loss.

II          3:9-11 Paul Sets the Goal of his New Values.

            In the previous section, the four clauses pointed out the “losses” of Paul by “gaining” Christ, but this section explains in greater detail the “gains” which all can receive.  Paul starts of in the first verse explaining what it means to “gain” and “be in Christ” by making four statements in two parallel statements.[xiii] 

9  Not having

(1)    my

(2)            righteousness

(3)                                the one out of the law

(4)                                                but the one through faith in Christ

(3')                               the one out of God

(2')            righteousness

(1')    upon faith

            In the four statements explaining “gaining” and “being in Christ”, statement (1) explicates the dependency no longer on the righteousness of any individual.  Statement (2) reveals the commonality of the sides of obtaining righteousness.  Statement (3) is the indication of the origin of the righteousness.  Finally, statement (4) which is the core of the verse heralds the meaning of “gaining” and “being in Christ” as righteousness that only “comes through faith in Christ.”[xiv]

            The new understanding of righteousness by Paul differs from the description of his personal achievements and status of righteousness in the Law (Phil. 3:5-6) that gave him “confidence in the flesh.”  This new change in prospective on righteousness is not solely a report on his life, but a lesson to the audience.  The fact that he mentions the righteousness of the Law twice (Phil. 3:6, 9) shows that living life by the Law is a problem for this community.[xv]  For the people, this is a problem being spread by his opponents, who are a cause for caution (Phil. 3:2).[xvi]  Paul continues the process of showing his opponents views as worthless by bring to light the only hope of divine approval is through Christ.

            In the last two verses of this section, Paul returns to the notion of “knowing Christ” by putting it into a larger context of suffering and future resurrection.  The subject of suffering and future resurrection is stressed by Paul in a chiasmus (ABB’A’).[xvii]

10    to know him and

        A    the power of his resurrection

                B    and [the] sharing of his sufferings

                B'    by being conformed to his death,

11    A'    if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

                      To truly “knowing Christ” which was the basis of Paul reversing his values, one must know the “power of the resurrection” which is not only the defeat of death by Christ but the reason for hope for all believers.  To truly know this, there is no other option for a believer than to push aside all other things outside of a relationship with Christ and consider them “rubbish.”  “Knowing Christ” is not yet a change to exaltation and glorification, but it is to live a life sharing in the sufferings of Christ.[xviii]  By conforming to his death, all believers that “know Christ” may also be united to him in the resurrection.

III         3:12-16 Paul Strives Toward the Goal of his New Values.

            As we enter into the final section, Paul changes terminology from economics to athletics.[xix]  As Paul has shown the audience, his argument has looked back to his personal example (Phil. 3:5-6) and to the realities of his present situation (Phil. 3:9-11), while the initial section (Phil. 3:7-8) served as a transition between past and present realities.  The economic terminology of “gains” and “losses” was very important in his argument for the reversal of the claims by the opponents.  These “gains” are not what one might expect. They entail suffering with Christ and being conformed to his death, but also the future hope of sharing in his resurrection (Phil. 3:10-11).  Though he is “knowing Christ” and the power of the resurrection and sharing in the sufferings of Christ, and being conformed to the death of Christ, he has not yet attained the resurrection or the goal of his pursuit, but strives endlessly toward the “upward calling” of God in Christ (Phil. 3:12-14).  To achieve this goal, one must “continue the pursuit” in Christ. 

            In this section, Paul expresses the future reality of this goal by employing the terminology of athletics.  He does this to hopefully benefit the community.  In these verses he does not want the Philippians to lose focus of the future reality and hope.  All that they have done is to lead to this final goal.  In Philippians 3:12-14, Paul works to keep them focused on the goal by reemphasizing the “continuing of the pursuit” and telling them to “forget what lies behind” such as former values (Phil. 3:5-6).  Even though they are not yet there, he stresses the aspect of “straining forward” like an athlete in a race.  Paul continues the reference to an athlete by encouraging the pursuit to finish the race toward the “prize” of the “upward calling” of God which will be giver to all who complete the race.

            In this whole argument, Paul has given the ground of this warning using his own life as an example.  The last two verses of this section is used by Paul to sum up the argument in an exhortation.  Paul uses the words “us” and “we” to include his audience in the dialogue and making a direct appeal to them.  Paul now turns to an assessment of this example in the life of the Philippians.  He starts by using the words “perfectly mature” which was also used earlier (Phil. 3:12, 15).  This is a phrase that could have been used by the opposition with desire for Christians to perform special actions and be in a special ritual state.[xx]  He counters the opposition by telling them that perfection consists in being in the same condition and adopting the same attitude as he showed throughout this argument.  For Paul, there is only one path and direction to go.  A path that Paul and the Philippians must continuously pursue to achieve the “prize.”

IV        Pragmatics

            In Philippians 3:7-16, Paul writes to the community with a challenge transform their lives into the crucified Christ.  This challenge is as motivating to us now as it was then.  Every verse can be a source of reflection and meditation for ways to improve your life so that you may “know Christ.” 

What do you take pride in?  In our lives there are many things that we can take pride in.  We can be like Paul and take pride in our accomplishments, status, birthright, and piousness.  In the world today, we deem so many things as important.  We must have the best car, technology, or home. We can take pride in materialism.  We want to be viewed as the smartest, strongest, funniest, or holiest person.  We can take pride in the status in personality characteristics.  There are so many other things out there that people take pride in, but what is it in comparison to Christ?  Everything that we have acquired, accomplished, or do is worthless in comparison to Christ.  The pragmatic point is not just to be less prideful, but we need to be more grateful and appreciative.  We can look at our lives a put value on what we have done, but do we truly understand what Christ has done.  Christ by himself makes our accomplishments seem little in comparison; but if you truly knew what Christ accomplished, then you would consider everything worthless.  Christ gave you a chance to do something that you could not do yourself. He paid a debt that he did not owe, because you owed a debt that you could not pay.  By his action, you can receive eternal salvation.  How do you put a value on that?  For just a chance to gain that, you cannot help to view everything else as “rubbish” in comparison.

 Remember that no matter how hard we work, we can never achieve salvation on our own.  The highest that we can climb is never close enough.  Only through joining with Christ in faith, can one achieve righteousness to know the power of the resurrection.  If the only way to obtain salvation with Christ is to join in Christ in faith, then you must join him in his sufferings.  If Christ is the only one that deserved salvation, then his life is the one you must imitate.  By the sacrifice of Christ, you get another chance at salvation, even though you failed; but we always fail.  We keep getting chance, but we also fall short of Christ.  Even though we never are able to attain it, we must continuously pursue this goal.  We must strain toward Christ, so that when it is all over, then we may be found worthy.  But is there anything in our lives holding us back or keeping us from our goal?  If so then you must leave it all behind.  There is nothing that is worth that much to warrant losing salvation.  We must strive for perfection; we must strive for Christ.  If we continuously join ourselves to Christ and keep the course, then we will be found worthy.