"THE EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS"
Chapter Three
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER
1) To see the error of placing confidence in fleshly accomplishments
2) To understand the need to strive toward perfection in our desire to
know and serve Christ
3) To be reminded of our true citizenship in heaven
SUMMARY
In this chapter we find a warning against those who place great
confidence in the flesh (1-3). If anyone had reason to boast about
fleshly accomplishments, it was Paul with his Jewish heritage (4-6).
But all such things were considered rubbish in relation to the
excellence of knowing Christ Jesus (7-8). Therefore Paul had as his
goal to be found in Christ, having that righteousness which is by faith
in Jesus, knowing Him and the power of His resurrection, and even
sharing in His sufferings, that he might by any means attain to the
resurrection from the dead (9-11).
Paul then describes his attitude of pressing on, and encourages all to
follow his example and that of others who walk likewise (12-17). Such
an exhortation is necessary in view of the reality that there are many
people who are enemies of the cross of Christ, who have made their
fleshly appetites the focus of their minds, and indeed their god
(18-19). Christians, however, should remember that their true
citizenship is in heaven, from which we eagerly wait for Jesus Christ
who will transform our lowly bodies to be conformed to His glorious
body (20-21).
OUTLINE
I. WARNINGS AGAINST JUDAISM (1-11)
A. BEWARE OF THE JUDAIZERS (1-3)
1. Rejoice in the Lord! (1)
2. Beware of "dogs," evil workers, the false circumcision (2)
3. For the true circumcision are those who...
a. Worship God in the Spirit
b. Rejoice in Christ
c. Have no confidence in the flesh (3)
B. PAUL'S EARLIER CONFIDENCE IN THE FLESH (4-6)
1. Paul had many grounds for boasting in the flesh (4)
2. A list of things pertaining to the flesh in which he could
have boasted (5-6)
C. PAUL'S DESIRE TO KNOW CHRIST (7-11)
1. He counted all as loss for the surpassing value of knowing
Christ (7-8)
2. He supreme goal:
a. To have that righteousness which comes through faith in
Christ (9)
b. To know Christ and the power of His resurrection (10a)
c. To share in His sufferings, even in His death, that by any
means he might attain to the resurrection from the dead
(10b-11)
II. WARNINGS AGAINST ANTINOMIANISM (12-21)
A. PAUL'S ATTITUDE OF PRESSING ON (12-14)
1. He does not consider himself perfect, so he presses on (12)
2. He forgets those things which are behind, and reaches forward
to what lies ahead (13)
3. His goal is the prize of the upward call of God in Christ
Jesus (14)
B. AN EXHORTATION FOR THEM TO HAVE THE SAME MIND (15-17)
1. Let those who are mature have the same mind (15)
2. To the degree you have already attained, so live (16)
3. Follow the example set by Paul and others, who live this way
(17)
C. A WARNING AGAINST THE ENEMIES OF THE CROSS (18-19)
1. With tears, Paul warns them of those who do not walk properly
(18)
2. Such people set their minds on earthly things, making their
belly their god (19)
D. A REMINDER OF OUR TRUE CITIZENSHIP (20-21)
1. Our citizenship is in heaven, from which we eagerly wait for
Jesus (20)
2. Who when He comes will transform our lowly body to conform to
His glorious body (21)
REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER Move your mouse pointer underneath each question to see the answer.
1) What are the main points of this chapter?
2) Who does Paul warn against? (2)
3) What characterizes those who are the true circumcision? (3)
4) What sort of things could Paul have boasted pertaining to the flesh?
(4-6)
5) How did Paul view these fleshly things? (7-8)
6) What was Paul's earnest desire? (9-11)
7) Did Paul view himself as having already attained, or having been
perfected? (12)
8) According to Paul, what was the "one thing" he did? (13-14)
9) What is the attitude, or mind, of those who are "mature"? (15)
10) How should the Christian walk? (16)
11) Whose example were the Philippians to follow? (17)
12) What description is given of those who are "enemies of the cross of
Christ"? (18-19)
13) Where is our citizenship? (20)
14) What will Christ do when He comes again? (21)
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