Philippians 3IWC, June 21, 2015Robert Null, Ph.D.

Beginnings in Acts

A.D. late 49 to Summer 50 (51?) Paul’s second missionary journey, having been prevented by the Holy Spirit to move in the direction of western Asia, Paul moves toward Troas and eventually to Philippi

Writing dates, shortly after his visit in Acts 16 (52-53) or ten years later (61?) as prisoner in Rome

Philippi a colony of Rome

Most likely no synagogue

Acts 16.6-39

Beginnings in Acts

Paul’s Experience in Philippi

No organized presence of Jewish culture and belief

Belief/faith has little formal structure or content

Spiritual opposition

Live faithfully in the midst of suffering

Faith directed specifically at Christ

The art of living in the world

Letter to the Philippians

Main Themes:

Warnings against errors

1. Against man-centered legalism, or confidence in the flesh

2. Pressing on to the goal of Christ, faith directed at the proper object

3. Against antinomianism, lawlessness and indulging the sinful nature

Philippians 3

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

Rejoice, partnering or sharing in the new life in Christ

Phil. 3:2   Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh.

Ignatius of Antioch (AD 95)

Polycarp of Smyrna (AD 110-130)

Polycarp of Smyrna

“For neither I, nor any other such one, can come up to the wisdom21 of the blessed and glorified Paul. He, when among you, accurately and steadfastly taught the word of truth in the presence of those who were then alive. And when absent from you, he wrote you a letter,22 which, if you carefully study, you will find to be the means of building you up in that faith which has been given you, and which, being followed by hope, and preceded by love towards God, and Christ, and our neighbor, “is the mother of us all.” PCS

Polycarp of Smyrna

“Let us be zealous in the pursuit of that which is good, keeping ourselves from causes of offence, from false brethren, and from those who in hypocrisy bear the name of the Lord, and draw away vain men into error.”

“‘For whosoever does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh, is antichrist;’” 41 and whosoever does not confess the testimony of the cross,42 is of the devil; and whosoever perverts the oracles of the Lord to his own lusts, and says that there is neither a resurrection nor a judgment, he is the first-born of Satan.43 Wherefore, forsaking the vanity of many, and their false doctrines, let us return to the word which has been handed down to us from44 the beginning;”

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Phil. 3:3 For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh—

What is it to be circumcised:

Set apart from God

Life and the fruit of your life directed toward God’s ends

Spiritually looking for the new fulfillment in Christ

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Paul’s boasting in the flesh (his fleshly circumcision)

Phil. 3:4 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:

Phil. 3:5 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;

Phil. 3:6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.

Philippians 3Paul’s assessment of his boasting, redirected toward spiritual ends (a spiritual circumcision)

Phil. 3:7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.

Phil. 3:8 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

Phil. 3:9 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—

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What is the end of our circumcision in Christ

Phil. 3:10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,

Phil. 3:11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Resurrection from the dead!

The Righteousness of Christ (not of ourselves)

Philippians 3

Phil. 3:12 ¶ Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.

Being in Christ still involves our sanctification

Owning our relationship with Christ

Owning our part of the partnership/fellowship/union and communion with Christ

Walking in holiness, virtue, good works

Philippians 3

Phil. 3:13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,

Phil. 3:14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Faith as forward looking

Faith as finding its end in Christ as the supreme object

Philippians 3

Phil. 3:15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.

Phil. 3:16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

Understand the balance of having salvation in Christ but needing to constantly pursue Christ and pursue personal holiness

Philippians 3

Phil. 3:17 ¶ Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.

Foundation of the Apostles

False teaching want to build an alternative theological system to Paul and undercut his authority and message

Christ and the Apostles (Revelation 21:14)

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Phil. 3:18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.

Phil. 3:19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.

The end of those who want to build an alternative and false theological system to replace the work of the apostles 1 John 2.3-6

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Phil. 3:20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

Phil. 3:21 who will transform four lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

Citizenship which would have been significant in a Roman colony is now seen to be focused on a citizenship in heaven Revelation 22:10-15

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Phil. 4:1 ¶ Therefore, my brothers,* whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

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Philippians 3

Philippians 3

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