Verses 3:1-3… There was good cause for the Philippians to “rejoice in the Lord.” Other important admonitions were needed by these faithful saints

Verses 3:1-3…Verses 3:1-3… There was good cause for the Philippians There was good cause for the Philippians

to “to “rejoice in the Lordrejoice in the Lord.”.” Other important admonitions were Other important admonitions were

needed by these faithful saints in needed by these faithful saints in addition to those already given earlier in addition to those already given earlier in the epistle.the epistle.

He decided to repeat some of the “same He decided to repeat some of the “same things” he had told them either at an earlier things” he had told them either at an earlier time or earlier in this letter he was now time or earlier in this letter he was now writing to them.writing to them.

Philippians – Christ In The Philippians – Christ In The ChurchChurch

Lesson 6Lesson 6

Verses 3:1-3…Verses 3:1-3… Peter also thought it right to “Peter also thought it right to “stir upstir up” the ” the

minds of brethren about certain truths, minds of brethren about certain truths, even though they knew them and were even though they knew them and were ““establishedestablished” in them (2Pet. 1:12-15).” in them (2Pet. 1:12-15).

The Philippians should give extreme The Philippians should give extreme caution about Judaizing teachers who caution about Judaizing teachers who had already come or who might yet come had already come or who might yet come into their midst with the troubling into their midst with the troubling doctrine that sought the subjection of doctrine that sought the subjection of Gentiles to the Law of Moses.Gentiles to the Law of Moses.


Lesson 6Lesson 6

Verses 3:1-3…Verses 3:1-3… These false brethren could be These false brethren could be

characterized as:characterized as: DogsDogs Evil workersEvil workers The mutilationThe mutilation


Lesson 6Lesson 6

Verses 3:1-3…Verses 3:1-3… The surest defense against a false The surest defense against a false

circumcision was an understanding of circumcision was an understanding of the true circumcision.the true circumcision.

These spiritual Jews had three These spiritual Jews had three characteristics…characteristics… They worshipped God in the SpiritThey worshipped God in the Spirit They rejoiced in Christ JesusThey rejoiced in Christ Jesus They had no confidence in the fleshThey had no confidence in the flesh


Lesson 6Lesson 6

Verses 3:4-11…Verses 3:4-11… No one should charge Paul with No one should charge Paul with

insincerity in his stand against trusting insincerity in his stand against trusting in the flesh.in the flesh.

Several characteristics qualified Paul as Several characteristics qualified Paul as a “pureblooded” Jew:a “pureblooded” Jew: He was circumcised when eight days old He was circumcised when eight days old

according to the covenant God made with according to the covenant God made with Abraham prior to the giving of the Law.Abraham prior to the giving of the Law.

He was of the tribe of BenjaminHe was of the tribe of Benjamin


Lesson 6Lesson 6



Several characteristics qualified Paul as Several characteristics qualified Paul as a “pureblooded” Jew:a “pureblooded” Jew: He was a Hebrew of [the] Hebrews.He was a Hebrew of [the] Hebrews. He was a Pharisee.He was a Pharisee. He was zealous for the Law and He was zealous for the Law and

persecuted the church in its behalf.persecuted the church in its behalf.


Lesson 6Lesson 6



Several characteristics qualified Paul as Several characteristics qualified Paul as a “pureblooded” Jew:a “pureblooded” Jew: He was “He was “blamelessblameless” when it came to ” when it came to

keeping the Law.keeping the Law. They were “gain” to him religiously, They were “gain” to him religiously,

politically, and socially among his politically, and socially among his countrymen.countrymen.


Lesson 6Lesson 6

Verses 3:4-11…Verses 3:4-11… However, the converted Saul soon saw However, the converted Saul soon saw

that every “gain” in the Jews’ religion that every “gain” in the Jews’ religion was really a “loss” in the religion of was really a “loss” in the religion of Christ.Christ.

What he had once seen as “What he had once seen as “gaingain” was ” was now nothing more than “now nothing more than “rubbishrubbish.”.”

““GainGain” for Paul was now in Christ rather ” for Paul was now in Christ rather than in the things he had formerly than in the things he had formerly valued.valued.


Lesson 6Lesson 6

Verses 3:4-11…Verses 3:4-11… Gaining Christ would result in “Gaining Christ would result in “being being

foundfound” in Christ.” in Christ. He would demonstrate his attachment to He would demonstrate his attachment to

Christ by displaying in his life the Christ by displaying in his life the righteousness outlined in the gospel he righteousness outlined in the gospel he now preached rather than in the Law now preached rather than in the Law upon which he had once depended for upon which he had once depended for righteousness.righteousness.


Lesson 6Lesson 6

Verses 3:4-11…Verses 3:4-11… His new righteousness through faith His new righteousness through faith

would bring a rich reward…would bring a rich reward… He would know Christ.He would know Christ. He would know the power of the He would know the power of the

resurrectionresurrection He would know the fellowship of His He would know the fellowship of His

sufferingssufferings He would attain to the resurrection from He would attain to the resurrection from

the deadthe dead


Lesson 6Lesson 6

Documents

Verses 3:1-3… There was good cause for the Philippians to “rejoice in the Lord.” Other important admonitions were needed by these faithful saints