Phili 3:7-14 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Phil 3:7-8: 3:7-8 As a Christian, Paul now regarded these things (3:5-6 ) as worthless because of what Christ has done: A believer’s relationship with God is defined by knowing Christ (cp. 3:10 ; John 17:3 ) and nothing else. The only important thing is to gain Christ , thus receiving the gift of eternal salvation (cp. John 3:16 ; 1 Jn 5:11-13 ). By comparison, all other things are meaningless garbage (or excrement ).

Summary for Phil 3:7-8: 3:7-8 ^a As a Christian, Paul now regarded these things (3:5-6 ^b) as worthless because of what Christ has done: A believer’s relationship with God is defined by knowing Christ (cp. 3:10 ^c; John 17:3 ^d) and nothing else. The only important thing is to gain Christ, thus receiving the gift of eternal salvation (cp. John 3:16 ^e; 1 Jn 5:11-13 ^f). By comparison, all other things are meaningless garbage (or excrement).
3:9 ^g Paul here summarizes the contrast between his understanding of salvation and that of his opponents (3:2 ^h).

• Believers become one with Christ by trusting him for salvation and sharing his life (cp. John 15:1-5 ⁱ).

• 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 ^j; 3:21-26 ^k; 4:5-8 ^l; Gal 2:16 ^m; Eph 2:8-9 ⁿ).
3:10 ^o to know Christ: In knowing him, a person knows and is accepted by God (cp. 3:7-8 ^p; John 1:12-13 ^q; 17:3 ^r).

• Believers experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead, both now and in eternity (see Rom 6:4-14 ^s; 8:10-11 ^t; Col 3:1-4 ^u).

• to suffer with him, sharing in his death: Joined to Christ, a believer has the privilege of experiencing his life and death (see Phil 1:29 ^v; 2 Cor 4:10-12 ^w; Col 1:24 ^x; 1 Pet 4:13-16 ^y).
3:11 ^z To experience the resurrection from the dead is to be saved from judgment and receive eternal life (see Rev 20:4-6 ^aa). Paul was aware of God’s holiness and the severity of the final judgment (Rev 20:11-15 ^ab); he knew he must persevere in his pursuit of Christ and salvation (cp. Gal 5:5 ^ac).
Summary for Phil 3:12-4:1: 3:12–4:1 ^ad Using himself as an example, Paul encourages the Philippians to pursue Christ and the hope of heaven with determination and strength.
Summary for Phil 3:13-14: 3:13-14 ^ae the race: See study note on 2:16.

• Paul was willing to give up everything else for the ultimate goal, the heavenly prize of eternal life.