Philippians 3:1-11 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.… 1. What were the things not irksome and safe? (1) Counsels in some lost Epistles. (2) Messages delivered by word of mouth through his delegates. (3) Earlier verbal communications. (4) Something in the Epistle.The latter probably referring — (a) to the main topic of the letter — rejoicing, or making their boast in Christ; or(b) to their dissentions, a reference in the making of which he was interrupted. Each supplies a good sense. In the first case he proposes to dwell once more on that which will be the sure antidote to false pride, in the other he will add some further counsels respecting their dissensions. 2. Since the apostle seems to be about to conclude, what occasioned the interruption? Probably some outbreak of Jewish proselytism respecting which he warns the Philippians in plain language. At the word "concision" he enters on a fresh line of thought which occupies the rest of the chapter. I. HE AFFIRMS THAT HE AND HIS GENTILE BRETHREN HAVE THE MOST VALID CLAIM TO WHAT THE JEWS SO DEARLY PRIZED. "We are the circumcision." He justifies his assertion by describing — 1. The nature of their worship. The one essential thing in worship is its spirit. The kind of worship the proselytizers offered rested largely on forms. If the form were only according to their pattern it was enough. The apostle, on the contrary, takes his stand on the requirement of our Lord: "God is a spirit," etc. Heart, not hand, lip, knee worship was the main thing, and in this respect they and he were more in harmony with the purpose of circumcision than those who submitted to the rite. 2. The ground of their trust. They rested in position rather than privilege. Circumcision was the sum of Jewish privilege. It was the main thing about which the Jews boasted. But their high privilege had not led them to a high morality, but had been made a cloak for sin. In contrast with this Paul puts Christian conduct. Christians rejoiced, or made their boast, in Christ Jesus, and had no confidence in the flesh. They looked to Him as the fulfiller of all righteousness for us and the example of all righteousness in us. Theirs was a prideless pride. II. HE ARGUES WITH THE JEW ON HIS OWN GROUND. The ground of their boasting might well be his as regards — 1. Inherited privileges. (1) The Jews make much of circumcision and the time of its performance. If before the eighth day it is nothing; if after, of less value. That, then, which the strictest Jews demand is true of me. (2) They also talk of the old stock. I belong to it. (3) They pride themselves on their tribe. What will compare with mine? (4) Nay, more; scattered among the Gentiles, exposed to taint, to loss of language and custom, yet my ancestors remained pure in every sense. I am a Hebrew of the Hebrews. 2. Personal acts. (1) What of the law? I belonged by choice to the separated sect. (2) What of zeal? These men are making much of that; but did not I persecute the Church? (3) And as for righteousness, when was I a defaulter? 3. Here surely was ground for boasting had he been so disposed. But — III. THE WHOLE OF THESE MOST COVETED THINGS HE NOW COUNTS LOSS. He relinquished them all to win Christ. He changes the figure. He had been speaking of gain and loss; he now speaks of entering on a race. 1. He divests himself of all self-righteous robes. He felt himself disqualified for the contest in any such dress. 2. He desires to lay firmest hold of Christ. 3. He seeks to feel the full meaning of the resurrection power, the propulsion to a higher and nobler purpose. 4. He asks to share the sufferings of Christ. Note this, inasmuch as many talk as though the sufferings of Christ had dispensed with their own. 5. He would be fashioned to the likeness of His death. 6. And so he would reach the goal — resurrection, i.e., complete newness of life through Christ Jesus. Conclusion:This delineation has its practical bearing on ourselves. 1. It puts privileges in their true place. They increase our obligation to serve God. 2. External religiousness is put in its right place. 3. We are shown where we shall only find the true safeguard against modern delusions on religious questions — in Christ. (J. J. Goadby.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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