philippians-3:1-11

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Philippians 3:1

Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord ,.... The Syriac version reads, "in our Lord", i.e. Christ. The apostle seems as if he was about to conclude his epistle; and therefore, as if he was taking his farewell of this church, and giving his last advice to them, he exhorts them in a most affectionate manner, as his dear brethren in a spiritual relation, that they would make Christ their chief joy; that whatever sorrow they might have on account of his bonds, or the sickness of Epaphroditus,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Philippians 3:2

Beware of dogs ,.... By whom are meant the "judaizing" teachers, who were for imposing the works and ceremonies of the law upon the Gentiles, as necessary to salvation; and they have the name retorted on them they used to give to the Gentiles; see Matthew 15:26 ; nor should they think it too severe, since the Jews themselves say F16 Misn. Sota, c. 9. sect. 15. , "the face of that generation (in which the Messiah shall come) shall he, כפני הכלב , "as the face of a dog". The... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Philippians 3:3

For we are the circumcision ,.... And not they; they have the name, and we the thing, or that which legal circumcision was a shadow of, namely, circumcision of the heart; which lies in being pricked to the heart under a true sense of sin; in having the hardness of the heart removed, and the iniquity of it laid to open view; in pain and contrition of heart about it, joined with shame for it, and loathing of it, the consequence of which is, a putting off of the body of the sins of the flesh, ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Philippians 3:4

Though I might also have confidence in the flesh ,.... This he says, lest it should be objected to him, that the reason why he had no confidence in the flesh, and did not boast of it, was, because he could not; he had nothing to glory of, and put his confidence in, and therefore acted the common part of such persons, who despise what either they have not, or are ignorant of: but this was not the apostle's case, he had as much reason, and as good a foundation for trust in himself, his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Philippians 3:5

Circumcised the eighth day ,.... Circumcision was an appointment of God to Abraham, and his male issue; to him and them God gave the covenant of circumcision: this to Abraham personally was a sign and seal, that the righteousness of faith, which he had while he was an uncircumcised person, should come upon the uncircumcised Gentiles in the times or the Messiah, when the Gospel should come among them; and it was a distinguishing character of the Jews from the Gentiles, until the coming of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Philippians 3:6

Concerning zeal, persecuting the church ,.... The Vulgate Latin version adds, "of God", as in Galatians 1:13 . The apostle was very zealous of the traditions of the elders, and for the law of God, and towards God also; though his zeal was not according to knowledge, but blind, ignorant, and furious; which pushed him on to persecute the followers of Christ, and the church of Christ at Jerusalem more especially, in a very violent and outrageous manner; he held the clothes of those that... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Philippians 3:7

But what things were gain to me ,.... As circumcision, and the observance of the ceremonial law, which he thought were necessary to salvation; and his natural and lineal descent from Abraham, which he supposed entitled him to the favour of God, and eternal life, as well as to outward privileges; and his being of that strict sect of religion, a Pharisee, which he doubted not, being brought up and continued in, would secure to him everlasting happiness; and his zeal in persecuting the church... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Philippians 3:8

Yea, doubtless, and I count all things but loss ,.... Not only the things before mentioned, but anything, and everything else but Christ, or that stood in competition with him, or were short of him; as his natural and acquired parts; the whole compass of learning he had attained to; all that honour, credit, reputation, and popularity he was in for knowledge and devotion; all worldly substance, the comforts of life, and life itself; and all his righteousness since conversion, as well as... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Philippians 3:9

And be found in him ,.... This is another end the apostle had in view, in counting all things loss and dung, and suffering the loss of all for Christ. Calvin, different from other interpreters, reads the words actively, "and may find in him"; and thinks the sense is, that the apostle renounced all things for Christ, that he might recover all in him: and true it is, that for the loss of carnal privileges, he found in Christ spiritual blessings; and for the loss of his own righteousness,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Philippians 3:10

That I may know him ,.... The Ethiopic version reads "by faith"; and to the same sense the Syriac. The apostle did know Christ, and that years ago; he knew whom he had believed; he knew him for himself; he knew his personal interest in him; nor did he know any but him in the business of salvation: but his knowledge of Christ, though it was very great, it was, imperfect; he knew but in part, and therefore desired to know more of Christ, of the mystery and glories of his person, of the... read more

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Philippians 3:1

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Philippians 3:2

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Philippians 3:3

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Philippians 3:4

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Philippians 3:5

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Philippians 3:6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Philippians 3:7

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Philippians 3:8

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Philippians 3:9

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Philippians 3:10

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