Philippians 3:1-11 “Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh – though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless. But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ – the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ – yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.”
Introduction: Joy and Discernment
Paul opens Philippians 3 with a return to one of his major themes – joy. But this joy is not a fleeting emotion. It’s a commanded stance of the soul rooted in Christ, and it’s not divorced from discernment. In fact, in the next breath, Paul moves from “rejoice in the Lord” to a strong warning about spiritual deception. This pairing may seem strange at first – joy and warning. But in the Christian life, they go hand in hand. True joy isn’t naïve; it’s guarded. Paul knew that rejoicing in Christ required clarity about who Christ is and what He has done – and that clarity was under threat in Philippi.
Rejoice in the Lord – Not in Ourselves (v.1)
“Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.” Paul opens with an imperative: “Rejoice in the Lord!” This is not a suggestion. It is a command to centre our joy in who Christ is and what He has done. Christian joy isn’t anchored in circumstances – it’s anchored in the Lord. And because Christ doesn’t change, our joy doesn’t have to. Then Paul adds something curious: “It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.” Apparently, Paul had previously taught or written about the things he’s about to say, and he doesn’t mind repeating them. Why? Because they serve as a safeguard – a spiritual protection against false teaching and misplaced confidence.
There’s a lesson here for every believer and every church: we need repetition. We need reminders. Why? Because we forget. Because we drift. Because the world, the flesh, and the devil are constantly tempting us to place our confidence somewhere other than in Christ.
Watch Out – Strong Warnings Against Legalism (v.2)
“Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh.” This is one of Paul’s sharpest warnings in the entire letter. He doesn’t name names, but the language is intense. He gives three rapid-fire warnings – each more pointed than the last.
- “Watch out for those dogs” – In Jewish culture, dogs were unclean scavengers – not the friendly household pets we think of today. Paul uses this term to describe the very people who would have calledGentileChristians “dogs” – those who insisted that Gentiles must adopt Jewish practices, particularly circumcision, in order to be fully accepted by God. Paul turns the insult around. He’s saying, No, they’re the unclean ones.
- “Watch out for those evildoers”– These people claimed to be teaching righteousness, but Paul says they’re actually promoting evil. Why? Because they were undermining the sufficiency of Christ by adding human effort to salvation.
- “Watch out for those mutilators of the flesh”– This is a direct attack on those who insisted that circumcision was required for salvation. Paul plays on the Greek word for circumcision (peritomē) and changes it tokatatomē, which means mutilation. He’s saying, “What they’re doing isn’t a sacred sign – it’s pointless, harmful cutting.”
What’s the danger here? Legalism. Now legalism is not just strict living – it’s the belief that your right standing with God is based on your performance. It may use Christian language. It may appeal to religious tradition. But Paul sees it as a deadly threat to the gospel. And he’s not gentle in his response.
True Identity in Christ (v.3)
“For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh.” Here, Paul flips the script entirely. The false teachers claimed to be the true “circumcision” – the true people of God. But Paul declares that the real people of God are those who are circumcised in heart, not just in flesh (see Romans 2:29). And he defines them in three ways:
- “We who serve God by his Spirit”– True worship isn’t confined to ritual or location. It flows from the Holy Spirit dwelling in the believer, transforming worship from duty to delight.
- “Who boast in Christ Jesus”– True believers don’t boast in their own righteousness, status, or religious record. They boast in Christ alone. Paul will expand on this theme in the following verses as he lists his own impressive résumé – and then counts it all as loss.
- “Who put no confidence in the flesh”– This is the heart of Paul’s argument. The flesh – our human ability, lineage, effort, or credentials – is not a safe place to trust. It might look impressive, but it cannot save. Only Christ can.
This verse is a clear summary of Paul’s gospel: Salvation is by grace through faith, not by works. And the evidence of that salvation is Spirit-empowered worship, Christ-centred boasting, and a deep rejection of self-reliance.
In these first three verses of Philippians 3, Paul gives us a powerful reminder: real joy and spiritual discernment go hand in hand. To rejoice in the Lord is not to ignore danger but to root ourselves so deeply in Christ that we recognize and reject all false substitutes. We live in a world that constantly tempts us to measure ourselves by performance, popularity, or religious activity. But the gospel says: Your confidence must be in Christ alone. No amount of rule-keeping, ritual, or résumé can give you peace with God. Only Jesus can. So let us rejoice in Him. Let us watch out for false confidences. And let us be people who worship by the Spirit, boast in Christ, and put no confidence in the flesh.
What Was to My Gain, I Now Count as Loss (vv. 4–8a)
In the opening verses of Philippians 3, Paul passionately warned the church against placing confidence in human effort, status, or religious performance. He reminded them that true believers are those who serve God by His Spirit, boast in Christ, and put no confidence in the flesh. Now, in verses 4–8a, Paul shifts gears. He moves from warning to personal testimony. If anyone had reason to place confidence in the flesh, it was Paul. His résumé, by every Jewish standard, was flawless. But now he looks at that same résumé – and he calls it loss. This section is one of the most profound personal statements in all of Paul’s letters. It is both autobiographical and theological. Paul wants us to see, with unmistakable clarity, that knowing Christ is infinitely better than anything else we could ever achieve, possess, or boast in.
Paul’s Former Confidence in the Flesh (v.4–6)
Paul begins with a bold statement: If anyone had the right to put confidence in human credentials, I did. And he proceeds to list seven qualifications – four inherited and three achieved—that once formed the foundation of his self-righteousness.
a. Four inherited advantages:
- “Circumcised on the eighth day”– Paul was born into the covenant, not converted into it later. He fulfilled the Jewish law from infancy.
- “Of the people of Israel”– He wasn’t a Gentile convert or a proselyte; he was born into God’s chosen people.
- “Of the tribe of Benjamin”– A prestigious tribe that gave Israel its first king (Saul) and remained loyal to the house of David. Paul’s lineage was honourable and notable.
- “A Hebrew of Hebrews”– Paul was raised in strict observance of Hebrew culture, language, and religion. He was not influenced by Hellenism or compromise.
b. Three personal achievements:
- “In regard to the law, a Pharisee”– Paul belonged to the most rigorous sect of Judaism. He was deeply committed to the law, both written and oral.
- “As for zeal, persecuting the church”– Paul wasn’t just intellectually committed – he was passionately active. His zeal led him to hunt down Christians, thinking he was defending God’s truth.
- “As for righteousness based on the law, faultless”– By external standards, Paul kept the law impeccably. He was blameless in his observance of rules and rituals.
Taken together, this list is impressive. In his former life, Paul would have been admired, respected, and envied. He had pedigree, passion, and performance. But something happened—something that radically altered how he viewed all of it.
A Dramatic Reversal: From Gain to Loss (v.7)
“But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.” This is one of the most important turning points in Paul’s life – and in this letter. The word “gains” is in the plural – Paul saw all his credentials as accumulating spiritual credit. But now, in Christ, he re-evaluates everything. “I now consider [them] loss.” This is the language of accounting. Paul is talking about spiritual bookkeeping. What once was in the ‘asset’ column of his life – line after line of religious achievement, has now been moved to the ‘liability’ column. It’s not just that those things are neutral, even harmful if they keep you from relying on Christ.
This is radical. Paul isn’t comparing sin with Christ – he’s comparing his best religious works with Christ and still finds them worthless by comparison. Why? Because none of those things could give him righteousness. None of them could cleanse his sin. None of them could reconcile him to God. Only Jesus could do that. Paul’s testimony forces us to ask: What’s in my ‘gain’ column? What am I tempted to boast in, depend on, or take pride in? Our culture may not boast in religious heritage like Paul’s, but we have our own lists – moralism, success, church attendance, ministry titles, charitable giving, theological knowledge. But if any of those become a substitute for Christ – or a source of spiritual pride – they must be counted as loss.
The Surpassing Worth of Christ (v.8a)
“What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord…”Paul doesn’t stop at the previous list. He now expands the scope. Not just his Jewish heritage or religious efforts – but everything is counted as loss. Every accomplishment, every credential, every achievement – no matter how impressive – is worthless compared to Christ. Why? Because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.
Notice the deeply personal language here. Paul doesn’t say, “knowing about Christ” or “believing the doctrines of Christ.” He says knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. This is not mere theology – it is relationship. Christ is not just an idea or a figure in history. He is my Lord – my Saviour, my Master, my Treasure.
The Greek word for “knowing” (gnōsis) conveys intimate, experiential knowledge. It’s not just head knowledge; it’s relational knowledge. Paul is describing a deep, abiding, joyful union with Jesus that overshadows all else. This is the heart of Christianity – not rule-keeping, not tradition, not credentials, but knowing Christ. That is the treasure. That is the goal. That is the surpassing worth.
In these verses, Paul is offering more than a personal testimony – he is offering anew value system. He invites us to view our lives through the lens of the gospel and to ask: What truly matters? What do I count as gain? What am I clinging to? When we see Christ clearly – His beauty, grace, power, love, and righteousness – everything else fades into the background. Not because those things are inherently bad, but because Christ is infinitely better. So let us follow Paul’s example. Let us gladly lay down every lesser confidence. Let us stop boasting in ourselves. And let us rejoice in the all-surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus our Lord.
Sharing in His Sufferings, Becoming Like Him (vv. 8b–11)
Up to this point in Philippians 3, Paul has dismantled every basis for human confidence and exalted the supreme value of knowing Christ. But now, he presses deeper. Paul doesn’t only desire knowledge about Christ or even to belong to Christ – he longs to experience Christ in His fullness. This final portion of our passage is perhaps the most personal and passionate section of Paul’s writing. He invites us to embrace a faith that is not content with status or security, but one that enters into Christ’s suffering, His death, and ultimately, His resurrection. This is not a casual association. This is radical identification with Jesus – one that reshapes every aspect of our life.
“I have lost all things” (v.8b)
“For whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ…” Earlier in verse 7, Paul said he considered his former gains as loss. Now in verse 8, he takes it even further: I have lost all things. This is not theory – it is Paul’s lived reality. Since coming to Christ, Paul had lost his reputation, his status as a respected Pharisee, his community, and his freedom. He was writing this very letter from prison. He had suffered beatings, shipwrecks, hunger, betrayal, and near-death experiences – all for the sake of the gospel. And yet, what does he call those losses? Garbage. The Greek word here (skubalon) is unusually strong. It can mean rubbish, refuse, or even excrement. It’s what you step in accidently in the cow paddock! That’s what Paul thinks of his greatest achievements! It’s intentionally shocking. Paul isn’t being polite – he’s showing how utterly worthless his old life is compared to the treasure he now possesses in Christ.
Why such strong language? Because Paul has found something infinitely better. He says, “that I may gain Christ…” In other words, everything else is rubbish if it stands in the way of gaining more of Jesus. What a profound challenge for us. We live in a culture that prizes success, wealth, comfort, and recognition. But Paul says: Even if you had it all, it would be garbage compared to gaining Christ. That’s the mark of a heart that treasures Jesus above all else.
Being found in Him (v.9)
“…and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law,
but that which is through faith in Christ – the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.” This is the theological heart of the gospel. Paul contrasts two kinds of righteousness:
- “My own righteousness” that comes from the law – This is the kind of righteousness that is earned, performed, and maintained through obedience. It’s external, fragile, and ultimately insufficient.
- “The righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith” – This is the righteousness that God gives as a gift to those who trust in Jesus. It’s not earned – it’simputed. Christ’s righteousness is credited to us by faith.
This doctrine is the cornerstone of salvation: Justification by grace through faith. Paul doesn’t just affirm it doctrinally – he cherishes it. He says his greatest joy is to be found in Christ, clothed not in his achievements but in the righteousness of Jesus. This is what allows us to stand before a holy God – not our spiritual résumé, but Christ’s perfect record applied to us. That’s why Paul says he has no confidence in the flesh – because it could never give him what he truly needed: righteousness from God. And that righteousness is received not by trying harder, but by trusting completely in Christ.
“I want to know Christ” (v.10a)
“I want to know Christ – yes, to know the power of his resurrection…” Here we come to the emotional climax of Paul’s testimony: “I want to know Christ.” Remember, Paul is not a new believer. He has walked with Jesus for decades. He has planted churches, written Scripture, and endured much for the gospel. Yet his heart still cries out, “I want to know Him.”
This is the lifelong pursuit of the believer – not just knowledge about Christ, but personal, experiential, relational knowing. Paul yearns to go deeper into the mystery, majesty, and intimacy of union with Jesus. Specifically, Paul says he wants to know “the power of his resurrection.” This power is not just a future hope, but a present reality. It is the same power that raised Jesus from the dead, and it now lives in us through the Holy Spirit (see Romans 8:11). This resurrection power:
- Brings dead hearts to life
- Breaks the power of sin
- Sustains us in suffering
- Enables obedience
- Fills us with hope
- Guarantees future glory
To know Christ is to live in this resurrection power every day – not by human strength, but by divine enablement.
“And participation in his sufferings” (v.10b)
“…and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death…” This is the part of knowing Christ that many would prefer to skip. Yet Paul embraces it. He desires not just resurrection power, but participation in Christ’s sufferings. The Greek word here for “participation” is koinonia – the same word used for fellowship. Paul wants to share in Christ’s sufferings, not out of masochism, but because it brings him closer to the heart of the Saviour.
To suffer for Christ is to walk the path that He walked – to lay down our rights, endure rejection, serve others, and remain faithful in trials. In doing so, we are being conformed to His death – dying to self, pride, and worldly ambition. Suffering is not an interruption to the Christian life – it’s part of the pattern. And through it, we come to know Christ more deeply, because we experience something of what He experienced.
“And so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection” (v.11)
“…and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.” Paul ends this section with a humble, hopeful statement. He says that through knowing Christ – both in power and in suffering – he looks forward to sharing in Christ’s resurrection. The word “somehow” doesn’t indicate doubt about the resurrection itself. Rather, it expresses Paul’s awe and humility about the process. He’s not presuming upon his future; he’s pressing into it with hope and longing. This is Paul’s ultimate goal – to rise with Christ, to be glorified, to be made fully like Him in every way. It’s not just about escape from death – it’s about union with Jesus forever.
Conclusion:
In this final section of Philippians 3:1–11, Paul paints a stunning portrait of Christian faith – not as mere belief, but as total identification with Christ.
- He counts all things as loss for the sake of knowing Jesus.
- He wants to be found in Christ, clothed in His righteousness.
- He desires to know Christ’s power and participate in His suffering.
- He looks forward to resurrection with Jesus in glory.
This is not comfortable Christianity. This is not half-hearted discipleship. This is a life utterly consumed with Christ – a life that sees Jesus as the surpassing treasure above all. So let us ask ourselves:
- Do we treasure Christ like this?
- Are we willing to lose what the world values to gain what only Christ can give?
- Are we seeking to know Him – not just in theology, but in the trenches of suffering and obedience?
May the Spirit stir in us the same longing that filled Paul’s heart. And may we, like him, count everything as loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus our Lord.