Unpacking Philippians 3:1-12
Author: Lisa Groen
Category: Unpacking the scripture
To start this study, let’s begin with Philippians 3:12, and see how the previous verses 1-11 get us to this point. We will begin by looking at Philippians 3:12 in 3 different translations in order to unpack it.
NASB Not that I have already grasped it all or have already become perfect, but I press on if I may also take hold of that for which I was even taken hold of by Christ Jesus.
CEB It’s not that I have already reached this goal or have already been perfected, but I pursue it, so that I may grab hold of it because Christ grabbed hold of me for just this purpose.
ESV 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.
I like to ask questions of the text as I am studying. What is Paul pursuing/pressing on for? What did Paul mean by pressing on? Or in the CEB version, what did Paul mean to pursue? and how does he press on in the ESV for something that seems as intangible as being made perfect? Being made perfect if we take a closer look in verse 12 is not exactly the phrase that tells us what Paul is pursuing, although people might believe that at first blush. We have to back up to previous verses to get a clear picture of what Paul is pursuing that he has not already obtained yet. Verse 11 tells us “that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead”. And what does verse 11 tell us if we want to get the whole story? “That” is the word in the very beginning of this verse—really, it is the shortened version of “so that”. So what came before the “so that”? We must now find out what it is from previous verses 1-11 to get a clear picture of what verse 12 is talking about.
In this passage, Paul is speaking of some of the big-ticket items of what it takes to live the type of life in Christ that Christ will cause to attain the resurrection from the dead. When I say big-ticket items, I am speaking of being of the true circumcision group—or in other words, the being born again group. Paul lists some things that are either prerequisites, or for him disqualifiers. That is the simple way of understanding this.
Everything Paul does or becomes prior to his telling us of his hope to attain the resurrection of the dead he lists in verses 2, 3, 7 and 8. I do not believe this is an exhaustive list, but that many items in it will automatically imply other elements or duties or states of being for the resurrection-bound Christian. In verses 5-6 Paul tells us of fleshly dispositions which he does not put confidence in. In verses 7-8 he tells us why he gave up his fleshly actions in order for Spirit led better things. Let’s break this passage down into Spirit-led actions and confidence, and into the opposite fleshly dispositions which are reasons for fleshly confidence Paul says he counts as dung. The right understanding and placement of these things in life sets Paul up so to speak for being a recipient of the resurrection from the dead.
Philippians 3:1-11 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you. 2 Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. 3 For we are the circumcision, who (do the following 3 Spirit-generated actions) (1) worship by the Spirit of God (Spirit led action of Paul) and (2) glory in Christ Jesus (Spirit led action of Paul) and (3) put no confidence in the flesh (Spirit led action of Paul) — 4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. (Paul will go on to nullify some fleshly confidences that could cause flesh-led actions he wants to avoid as we continue). If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more:5 circumcised on the eighth day, (Paul nullifies this because it is not a Spirit-led action) of the people of Israel, (Paul nullifies this because it is not a Spirit-led action) of the tribe of Benjamin, (Paul nullifies this) a Hebrew of Hebrews; (Paul nullifies this) as to the law, a Pharisee; (Paul nullifies this) , 6as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; (nullified) as to righteousness under the law, blameless. (nullified) 7But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. (Paul has just now nullified everything in verses 5-6 in order to establish the following Spirit led actions in verse 8 for the sake of Christ) 8Indeed, I count everything as loss (action of Paul to nullify the flesh) because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things (action of Paul to nullify the flesh) and count them as rubbish, (action of Paul to nullify the flesh) in order (in order that 5 Spirit led things may happen. Paul now has 5 Spirit led actions coming up in verses 8-11 where he now says “that I may” which fall into place because he has just counted the fleshly gains as rubbish in verses 5-6. These things are indicators that he is now in position of one who is able to receive or attain to things that happen concurrently with the resurrection from the dead)(1) that I may gain Christ 9and (2) that I may 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 10(3) that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and (4) that I may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11(5) that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead
Now having put those clarifications in place for the groupings of Spirit led actions and the groupings to see what Paul tells us is of the flesh, my goal is to put us in position to be much better off to know the difference between fleshly and Spirit-led positions and actions to hopefully see the conditions of life they are joined with. As we can expect, the fleshly actions or states of being are joined with Paul’s life prior to his conversion, and the Spirit led actions and states of being are joined with Paul’s life after conversion. When we keep in mind the differences, we can steer clear of the traps of legalism that we all can face which tempt and threaten a believer’s trust in Christ alone through grace alone, and we can pursue the Spirit led actions and states of being Paul clarifies for us that go with our life in Christ and with the resurrection from the dead.
When we have these things clear in our mind, we can see then how we should press on to attain to making the resurrection our own, without it becoming a legalistic pressing or fleshly striving, by clothing ourselves with Spirit led actions and states of being. The pressing on Paul speaks of in verse 12 is for pressing on to not trust in the flesh, our seeming advantages, and not trust in “our own abilities or fleshly position” and press against these temptations. Like Paul we should also count them dung, by pressing on to do Spirit led actions, and to remember the spiritual position of grace Christ has placed us in by faith to know Him more, through pressing away from the flesh, and pressing towards the living knowledge of Christ.
Let’s end with Philippians 3:12 again with these things in mind: NASB “Not that I have already grasped it all or have already become perfect, but I press on if I may also take hold of that for which I was even taken hold of by Christ Jesus.” And to end our study with grace—isn’t it good to know we were taken hold of by Christ Jesus, which is the grace to see glimpses of WHY Christ desires us for himself; it is to His glory, and not our own, that He draws us to Himself, as we press on to take hold of that!!
Prayer:
Lord, may you teach us how to walk in the Spirit and steer clear of legalism and trusting in the flesh. May areas where we have been tempted into legalism and the complacency caused by the flesh be exposed in our lives so we can turn away from these faulty trusts, repent of them, and press against them through the Spirit. May we make room for your Spirit to live and move and breathe in us, and make us flexible, pliable clay, Oh Lord, in your all-Wise hands who has given us circumcised hearts before You Oh Lord! Continue to work in us, and may we see you ever more clearly, Amen!
Keep growing in the Word! LG
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