Verse by Verse

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

careful (v.6) = anxious, having a distracting care — the habit of worry

nothing (v.6) = lit. “not even one thing”

prayer (v.6) — general term — prayer to God as worship and devotion

supplication (v.6) = petition for desired benefits

requests (v.6) — the things asked for

peace (v.7) — a sense of rest and contentment

peace of God (v.7) — more than “peace with God” — inward tranquility based and grounded on God’s presence

understanding (v.7) — all thinking power: perceiving, knowing, judging, determining

keep (v.7) — a military term — “to keep with a garrison”

heart (v.7) — the seat of thought and feeling

mind (v.7) — thoughts, mental actions issuing from the mind.

Stop perpetually worrying about even one thing, but in everything, by prayer whose essence is that of worship and devotion, and by supplication which is a cry for your personal needs, let your requests for the things asked for be made known in the presence of God, and the peace of God which surpasses all power of comprehension, shall mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. — Wuest, page 110.

4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

moderation (v.5) — sweet reasonableness — looking humanely and reasonably at the facts of a circumstance or case — the opposite of self-seeking or contention — the outward expression of an inward character — forbearance, considerateness, graciousness, gentleness — overlooking the faults and failures of others

known (v.5) = knowledge gained by experience

at hand (v.5) — could refer to the Lord’s constant presence and/or His soon, or imminent, return — The Lord’s presence and imminent return are grounds for not worrying.

1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.

2 I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.

3 And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.

Therefore (v.1) — because of their citizenship in heaven

longed for (v.1) — earnest desire — used only here in the New Testament

joy (v.1) — in the present

crown (v.1) — in the present and the future

crown (v.1) — victor’s crown — a reward or prize

Euodias (v.2) = prosperous journey

Syntyche (v.2) = pleasant acquaintance

beseech (v.2) = to call to one’s side

be of the same mind (v.2) = think the same thing, agree

intreat (v.3) = request with authority behind it

true (v.3) = genuine

yokefellow (v.3) = pull well in double harness — It may have been a proper name — Syzygus

help (v.3) = take hold with another in a task

those women (v.3) — Euodias and Syntyche, who worked with Paul when he was in Philippi

labored (v.3) — used of athletes on a team together pursuing a common goal — strenuous effort

20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.

our citizenship (v.20) — strong emphasis on “our”

citizenship (v.20) = the condition or life of a citizen, a noun — same word as conduct (verb) in Philippians 1:27.

The stability and security of the citizen under Roman law filled the thoughts of the time with high conceptions of citizenship and its value. Philippi, being a Roman colony, and its citizens therefore Roman citizens, thought in terms of citizenship. Paul seizes this fact as a good opportunity to illustrate to the saints their heavenly citizenship with its privileges and responsibilities. What a contrast between those mentioned in 3:18-19, who were citizens of this earth, and those spoken of in 3:20-21, who are citizens of heaven! — Wuest, page 102.

our citizenship is (v.20) = exists — a present reality, being, a fixed location

heaven (v.20) — plural in Greek — all the heavenly regions contrasted with earth

from which (v.20) — heaven (1 Thessalonians 1:10)

wait = expect eagerly

The word “look” [wait] is the translation of a Greek word made up of three words put together, the word, “to receive,” which speaks of a welcoming or appropriating reception such as is tendered to a friend who comes to visit one; the word “off,” speaking here of the withdrawal of one’s attention from other objects, and the word “out,” used here in a perfective sense which intensifies the already existing meaning of the word. The composite word speaks of an attitude of intense yearning and eager waiting for the coming of the Lord Jesus into the air to take His Bride to heaven with Him, the attention being withdrawn from all else and concentrated upon the Lord Jesus. — Wuest, pages 102-103.

Savior (v.20) — the capacity in which He is coming — to complete our salvation (glorification) — the redemption of our bodies — also saving us from the coming wrath (1 Thessalonians 5:9)

transform (v.21) = fashion anew (1 Corinthians 15:51-53)

lowly (humble) body (v.21) = body of our humiliation — subject to suffering, indignity and the effects of sin

conformed (v.21) = transformed — having the same form

His glorious body (v.21) — the body of His glory, His resurrected body with His glory manifested

according to the working (v.21) = according to the energy of His being able — according to the exercise of the power that is His

subdue (v.21) = to arrange under one’s authority, as a general marshals his forces

subdue all things unto Himself (v.21) — perhaps referring to the Father, but all will be subject to both the Father and the Son (1 Corinthians 15:25).

17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.

The Christian journey — be mindful of the things — the fullness or perfection we have in Christ

We have not obtained to it, but walk in the light you have. Let the knowledge move you forward.

example (v.17) — be followers of Paul, not what he does, but who he is. — I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you (1 Corinthians 4:14)

And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal?  Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? (1 Corinthians 3:1-5).

The Corinthians were following different people. We should NOT follow Paul as if he originated doctrine — the Lord did. God gives the increase. God is the architect, then gave Paul the blueprints as master-builder or steward. Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God (1 Corinthians 4:1).

We are to be workmen (2 Timothy 2:15). Our work will be tested according to the blueprint.

Ye (1 Corinthians 3:16) — The church is the temple.

destroy (1 Corinthians 3:17) — render unusable (Those in Corinth who were following Christ were looking back on His earthly ministry. They needed to follow Paul.)

The gospel was committed to Paul’s trust (1 Timothy 1:11). — in him first (1 Timothy 1:16). Longsuffering — referring to this age. No sin is beyond grace.

Follow Paul as he follows Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1). Today, you can only follow Christ by following Paul. Be followers of Paul and the Lord (1 Thessalonians 1:6).

followers together (Philippians 3:17) — the assembly — become examples to others

We magnify the office (Romans 11:13), not the man. The best of men are men at best.

The things you heard from Paul, teach others (2 Timothy 2:1-2) among many witnesses — those following Paul keep each other on the path and bring others in to believe and come to knowledge of the truth.

17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:

19 Whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.

followers together (v.17) = fellow-imitators (always used in a good sense in the New Testament) — join with Paul in the realization that they haven’t attained perfection — contrasted with those in verses 18-19 who are self-righteous and glory in their own accomplishments.

mark (v.17) — note so as to follow the example set — observe others carefully to see if they walk according to Paul’s gospel

us (v.17) — Paul, Timothy, Epaphroditus

ensample (v.17) — example, mold, pattern, model (singular)

enemies of the cross (v.18) — denied Christ while claiming to have obtained righteousness

end (v.19) — not the end of existence, but the outcome of their course of action

destruction (v.19) — not “loss of being” but “loss of well-being”

god is their belly (v.19) — self-indulgence

glory is in their shame (v.19) — they glory in their licentiousness

mind earthly things (v.19) — a noun, “mincers of earthly things”

Paul is evidently referring to those who profess Christ but consider liberty to be license to indulge in sin.

Verses 18 and 19 are perhaps referring to Epicurean Greeks who taught that satisfying the appetites was mans’ highest goal. Some who had heard, and perhaps professed, the gospel may have been in this camp.

15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.

16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.

mature (v.15) — (“perfect” in KJV) = that which reaches the end, full-grown

Paul, perhaps, is using irony in light of verse 12 where he says he doesn’t consider himself perfect yet, but he could also be, and probably is, referring to positional perfection in Christ (Colossians 2:10).

Paul was far from practical perfection, but he was a mature Christian because he constantly walked in Christ.

think otherwise (v.15) — think otherwise than they ought to be thinking — thinking they are perfect. Evidently, there were some in the Philippian church who thought themselves sinlessly perfect, with no further spiritual growth needed.

attained (v.16) = (here) arrive at, reach, progress along a road to a certain point. Attain (in verse 12) means “to take or appropriate.

already attained (v.16) — to the point of the level of spiritual maturity we have reached

walk by the same (v.16) = (here) walking with others, walking in step — walking in verse 17 means “walking individually.” The picture is one of walking along a path.

rule (v.16) = measuring rod (this word isn’t in the most authentic manuscripts)

let us be of the same mind (v.16) — not in the most authentic manuscripts

12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.

13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,

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

perfected (v.12) = brought to completion — realizing the complete and constant power of Christ — spiritual maturity

press on (v.12) = pursue

that (v.12) — “if that” in KJV — as in verse 11, contingency (if, somehow), not condition

lay hold (v.12) = lay hold of so as to possess as one’s own

that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me (v.12) — Paul desires to grasp the full meaning and purpose of what the Lord had done for him when he was saved on the road to Damascus.

Brethren (v.13) — Paul is expressing an earnest appeal

count (v.13) = looking back on a process and drawing a conclusion

I do not count myself (v.13) — emphasis on “I” in contrast to others who were counting themselves. Some considered themselves as sinlessly perfect, but Paul didn’t.

but one thing (v.13) — (“I do” was added by translators) Paul’s great object and goal

forgetting those things which are behind (v.13) — Paul isn’t surveying his past progress in the Christian life. He’s not resting on past laurels.

reaching (v.13) = stretching forward — continuing with the illustration of a foot race — concentrating on the goal

press (v.14) — pursue, same as “press on” in verse 12

goal (v.14) = aim, object — a mark on which the eye is fixed

prize of the upward call (v.14) — prize received (crowns?) at the high calling — not our “calling in life,” but a call from heaven that we should always focus on.

Paul is pursuing the goal of Christlikeness. He has no time to ponder either his life before salvation or even his earlier Christian life. He is setting his eyes entirely on the ultimate goal. If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth (Colossians 3:1-2).

Our goal is perfect Christlikeness, even though we will never obtain it until we are glorified.

10 That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,

11 If, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

know (v.10) — more than mere knowledge — appropriation — to come to know by experience.

that I may know Him (v.10) — not referring to salvation. Paul was already saved. This is experiential knowledge applied to daily life.

power of His resurrection (v.10) — The power of new life and all it enables us to do — imparted by the Holy Spirit. At salvation, this power gives us new life, but it is also available in our daily lives (Romans 6:13) and, ultimately, when we are glorified.

fellowship of His sufferings (v.10) — being crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20), but also the fact that living for Christ involved suffering for His sake (2 Corinthians 1:5; Colossians 1:24; 1 Peter 4:12-13) — the ongoing rejection of Christ.

conformed to His death (v.10) — death of the carnal self — dying to self, living as one who died with Christ and has been raised in newness of life (Romans 6:4, 6-8)

if (v.11) — not a condition — lit. “if somehow,” a contingency

If, by any means (v.11) — Paul (and we) will experience resurrection whether by martyrdom, natural death, or Rapture

attain (v.11) = reach, arrive at

resurrection from the dead (v.11) — identification with Christ in His resurrection and its effects — not referring to the physical resurrection which is assured to all believers (Philippians 1:21)

Paul’s statement, “If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead,” was not an expression of doubt, as it has been noted, but one of humility. He wanted to humbly attain to this particular resurrection. Since the apostle uses the definite article (the) he is making reference to a specific resurrection that we believe only pertains to the Body of Christ. He then uses a triple compound Greek word exanastasis, which literally means to stand up out from. This word is exclusively used by Paul and only appears in this passage. The last phrase, of the dead in the original has the idea of out from among the dead. So then, when we tie all of this together we have the following: “If by any  means, I might arrive unto the out-resurrection out from among the dead.”

We believe the out-resurrection is a reference to our spiritual resurrection in Christ, specifically in its practical application. When we follow the theme Paul has been developing of his identification with Christ, not only was he crucified with Christ, but he had also been raised with Him to walk in newness of life. As the apostle sought to apply this wonderful truth experientially, he wanted his resurrected life to stand out among those who were spiritually dead in the world so they might be drawn to Christ through his godly example. As Paul strove to attain his goal he had learned the importance of setting his affections on things above.

“If ye then be risen [past tense] with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:1-2). — Sadler, pages 158-159.

__________

But Paul has forfeited the loss of all things not only that he might appropriate Christ as Savior and have others see by his life that that was the case, but in order that he may know Him. The words “to know” are again, “to know by experience.” The tense causes us to translate, “to come to know by experience.” Paul wants to come to know the Lord Jesus in that fullness of experimental knowledge which is only wrought by being like Him. He wants to know also in an experiential way the power of Christ’s resurrection. That is, he wants to experience the same power which raised Christ from the dead surging through his own being, overcoming sin in his life and producing the Christian graces. The Greek word for “power” used here is the same one that is used in Romans 1:16, and means, “that which overcomes resistance.” He wants to come to know the fellowship of Christ’s sufferings. The Greek word for “fellowship: here means “a joint participation.” The sufferings of Christ spoken of here are of course not His substitutionary sufferings on the Cross, but His sufferings for righteousness’ sake while on earth. Paul speaks of these and of his joint-participation in them in Colossians 1:24.

When these four things are true of Paul, namely, to be discovered by men to be in Christ by the very life he lives, by coming to know Him better all the time, by experiencing the same power that raised Christ from the dead surging through is own being, and by becoming a joint-participant in His sufferings for righteousness’ sake, then Paul will constantly be made conformable to Christ’s death. The words “made conformable” mean literally, “to bring to the same form with some other person.” It is the same Greek word the apostle used in the great Kenosis passage (Philippians 2:5-8), meaning in its verb form “to give outward expression of one’s inner intrinsic nature.” Paul’s desire was that he might so come to know his Lord, the power of His resurrection operative in his life, and a joint-participation in His sufferings, that he would be brought to the place where he would become, both as to his inner heart life and also as to the outward expression of the same, like his Lord with respect to His death, not merely His physical death which was for others, but His death to self, as illustrated so vividly to the Philippians in the self-emptying of the Lord Jesus in 2:7, a self-emptying that was true of our Lord not only in His act of becoming incarnate and of stooping to the death of the Cross, but also one that conditioned His entire life and made it the beautiful life it was, a death to self, a denying of self for the blessing of others. This was what Paul was striving for. The most radical conformity is here indicated. It was not only the undergoing of a physical death like that of Christ’s, but a conformity to the spirit and temper of His life, the meekness, lowliness, and submission of Christ.

The expression “if by any means” is not an expression of doubt but one of humility. It is a modest but assured hope. The servant of the Lord who wrote this passage by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit also wrote Romans 8 which begins with no condemnation for the believer in Christ and ends with no separation of the believer from Christ. “Might attain” has the idea in the Greek text of “to arrive at, as at a goal.” The Greek word used here translated “resurrection” is only found here in the New Testament. It is literally “out resurrection.” The word Paul uses in 1 Corinthians 15:12 is the simple word for “resurrection,” speaking of the fact of either the lost or saved being raised from the dead. But here he has a reference to a particular group raised out from among those who are dead, the saints. Luke in Acts 4:2 speaks of this particular and separate resurrection of the saints out from among the unsaved dead who will be resurrected one thousand years later, and uses the same Greek word that Paul does, but does not prefix the preposition “out” to the word “resurrection,” the idea of a particular resurrection “out from among” coming from the Greek words translated “from the dead.” Paul’s use of the word “out,” here merely intensifies the idea of a particular and separate resurrection of the saints from that of the unsaved. This participation in the out-resurrection from among the dead will mean to Paul unbroken knowledge of and fellowship with Christ. Translation: Yes, for His sake I have been caused to forfeit all things, and I count them but dung, in order that I might come to know Him in an experiential way, and to come to know experientially the power of His resurrection, and a joint-participation in His sufferings, being brought to the place where my life will radiate a likeness to His death, if by any means I might arrive at the goal, namely, the out-resurrection out from among those who are dead. — Wuest, pages 93-95.

7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.

8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ

9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith.

things (v.7) = what sort of things

gain (v.7) — plural, “gains” — like a miser counting his money

loss (v.7) — singular, “damage” — his assets became liabilities

Paul’s righteousness under the law (verses 4-6), he counted loss (past tense with continuing results). He counts (present tense) all things loss except the knowledge of Christ.

excellence (v.8) = the surpassing thing

knowledge (v.8) — through intimate fellowship and close association — knowledge that affects the heart, not just mental knowledge

suffered the loss (v.8) — Paul counted everything as a liability — lit. “forfeited”

rubbish (dung/refuse) (v.8) — lit. (plural) bits of refuse, as the leavings of a feast thrown to the dogs

gain (v.8) — same word used in verse 7

gain Christ (v.8) — not salvation but the acquisition of Christ’s perfections

be found (v.9) — not searching, but a legal term — an experience that bears testimony — “turn out to actually be”

from the law (v.9) — out of, as a source

in Christ (v.9) — by means of

from God (v.9) — out of, as a source

by faith (v.9) — by means of