Philippians 3:11-16

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:1-16

The true circumcision. Contemplated close of the Epistle. "Finally my brethren, rejoice in the Lord." It would seem that, at this point, the apostle contemplated bringing the Epistle to a close. He intimates that, in addition to what he has already said, he has only this further to say. He falls back on what has already been noticed as the key-note of the Epistle. Addressing them as his brethren, he calls upon them to rejoice in the Lord. He recognized no joy but what was in the Lord. We... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:4-11

The example of St. Paul. I. WHAT HE RENOUNCED . All confidence in the flesh. 1 . He enumerates the privileges of the Jew , and claims them as his own. He had the seal of circumcision, the inheritance of the covenant; he was brought up in the Hebrew learning; he belonged to the strictest sect; he was zealous; he had lived a blameless life. In outward grounds of confidence no man could surpass him. He had all the privileges that could issue from the Judaism of the time. 2 ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:8-11

The true ground of a sinner's hope. The apostle then sets forth, in very impressive terms, the familiar way of salvation: "That I may gain Christ, and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the Law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness of God by faith." Consider— I. CHRIST THE PRESENT GAIN AND THE PRESENT SHELTER OF THE SINNER . The subject is presented under two aspects. 1 . Christ the present Gain of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:8-11

The enthusiast. Paul now exhibits himself to us in the light of an enthusiast in whose eyes the excellent knowledge of Jesus Christ is all and in all. He regrets that so many fruitless years were spent away from Christ, and now he shows us all he hopes from him. He has surrendered everything for the sake of his Lord and Master. He has put away the thought of what he might have been had he remained a Jewish partisan. There was nothing beyond the ambition of Saul the persecutor had he... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:8-11

Phases of Christ. "I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ." Paul presents Christ in four aspects. I. As A PRIZE . "That I may win Christ." What is it to win Christ? It is something more than to become acquainted with his biography , something more than to understand the doctrines he taught or the theory of his life and mission. To gain him is to gain his moral spirit. His moral spirit is himself—that which marked him off... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:10-11

The knowledge of Christ: its degrees and its purpose. I. THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIS PERSON . This is the initiatory step. We must first recognize him to be our own God and Savior, and One who is to be altogether longed for. Nathanael thus knew him ( John 1:49 ), and St. Peter ( Matthew 16:16 ). II. THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION . This is a step beyond the simple knowledge of his person. It can be found only in our own spiritual experience when... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:11

If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead . The apostle uses the language of humble expectation. For the particles, "if by any means" ( εἴ πως ), comp. Acts 27:12 ; Romans 1:10 ; Romans 11:14 . The verb "attain" means to arrive at the end of a journey; it presents the figure of a pilgrimage. Read, with R.V. and the best manuscripts, the resurrection from the dead. This phrase (used also in Luke 20:35 and Acts 4:2 ) means the resurrection of the blessed... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:12

Not as though I had already. attained, either were already perfect ; the R.V. renders this clause more accurately, not that ( I do not say that ) I have already obtained. The verb is not the same with that translated "attain" in Philippians 3:11 ; it means to get, to win a prize, as in 1 Corinthians 9:24 . The tense is aorist: "I say not that I did at once win the prize;" that is, at the time of his conversion. Compare the tenses used in 1 Corinthians 9:8 , "I suffered the loss... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:12-14

The apostle's confession of his imperfection and his method of Christian progress. There is a touching and instructive humility in the language of these verses. I. HIS CONFESSION OF IMPERFECTION . "Not as though I had already attained or have been made perfect;" and again," I count not myself to have apprehended." 1 . This argues a high estimate of a Christian ' s duty. There is no inconsistency in the consciousness of hidden imperfection and the thought of a lofty... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:12-14

Moral onwardness. The Grecian racecourse was well known to Paul and to all his readers, and hence he often uses it as a figure to illustrate the Christian life. The subject is spiritual advancement, onwardness in Divine excellence. The words suggest that this progress implies three things. I. A CONSCIOUS DISSATISFACTION WITH THE PRESENT . By this I mean, not dissatisfaction with the events and circumstances of life—Divine providences—this would be foolish and impious, but... read more

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