Philippians 3:5-9
Summary for Phil 3:5-6: 3:5-6 a If anyone could rely on Jewish credentials, Paul could: He practiced the strictest obedience to the Jewish law and was extremely zealous for the Jewish religion. 3:5 b circumcised when I was eight days old: See Gen 17:12 c; Lev 12:3 d; Luke 1:59 e; 2:21 f.• Paul was a member of the Pharisees, the Jewish sect known for its strict observance of the law (see Acts 23:6 g; 26:5 h).
3:6 i I harshly persecuted the church (see Acts 8:1-3 j; 9:1-2 k, 21 l; Gal 1:13 m): His actions demonstrated his zeal for Judaism, to which the Good News of Jesus was seen as a threat.
• Paul’s righteousness, as judged by human standards, was another indication of his zeal for the law (see also Gal 1:14 n; for Paul’s later Christian view, cp. Rom 3:23 o; 7:14-25 p).
Summary for Phil 3:7-8: 3:7-8 q As a Christian, Paul now regarded these things (3:5-6 r) as worthless because of what Christ has done: A believer’s relationship with God is defined by knowing Christ (cp. 3:10 s; John 17:3 t) and nothing else. The only important thing is to gain Christ, thus receiving the gift of eternal salvation (cp. John 3:16 u; 1 Jn 5:11-13 v). By comparison, all other things are meaningless garbage (or excrement).
3:9 w Paul here summarizes the contrast between his understanding of salvation and that of his opponents (3:2 x).
• Believers become one with Christ by trusting him for salvation and sharing his life (cp. John 15:1-5 y).
• We become righteous, not by observing the law of Moses, but through faith in Christ. This is God’s way of making us right with himself: Salvation cannot be earned, but only received as a free gift (see Rom 1:17 z; 3:21-26 aa; 4:5-8 ab; Gal 2:16 ac; Eph 2:8-9 ad).
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