Midweek Bible Study | 04.17.2024
[Philippians 3:7-16 NASB20] 7 But whatever things were gain to me, these things I have counted as loss because of Christ. 8 More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them [mere] rubbish, so that I may gain Christ, 9 and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from [the] Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which [comes] from God on the basis of faith, 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; 11 if somehow I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already grasped [it all] or have already become perfect, but I press on if I may also take hold of that for which I was even taken hold of by Christ Jesus. 13 Brothers [and sisters,] I do not regard myself as having taken hold of [it yet;] but one thing [I do:] forgetting what [lies] behind and reaching forward to what [lies] ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Therefore, all who are mature, let's have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that to you as well; 16 however, let's keep living by that same [standard] to which we have attained.
Historical Context:
The apostle Paul wrote the letter to the Philippians while he was imprisoned, likely in Rome around AD 61-63. The church in Philippi was one that Paul had founded on his second missionary journey, and he had a strong bond with them. In this letter, Paul addresses various issues within the church and encourages the believers to stand firm in their faith despite facing persecution and challenges.
Paul’s Present Reality:
In Philippians 3:7-14, Paul expresses his deep desire to know Christ intimately, experience the power of His resurrection, and endure through trials with faith and perseverance. He acknowledges that he has not yet reached perfection in his faith journey but is committed to pressing on toward that ultimate goal of knowing Christ and attaining eternal life.
1. Renouncing Self-Righteousness:
“But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them mere rubbish, so that I may gain Christ.” – Philippians 3:7-8 (NASB20)
Related Scripture:
– Matthew 16:24-26 (NASB20) – “Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of Me will find it. For what will it benefit a person if he gains the whole world but forfeits his life? Or what will a person give in exchange for his life?'”
– Galatians 2:20 (NASB20) – “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”
– Philippians 3:9 (NASB20) – “and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith.”
2. Seeking Intimacy with Christ:
“That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.” – Philippians 3:10 (NASB20)
Related Scripture:
John 17:3 (NASB20) – “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”
James 4:8 (NASB20) – “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.”
Colossians 2:6-7 (NASB20) – “Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him”
3. Enduring Through Trials:
“I press on in order that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 3:12b (NASB20)
Related Scripture:
James 1:2-4 (NASB20) – “Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
Romans 5:3-5 (NASB20) – “And not only this, but we also celebrate in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NASB20) – “Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer person is decaying, yet our inner person is being renewed day by day. For our momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
4. Pressing On Towards the Goal:
“Forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 3:13b-14 (NASB20)
Related Scripture:
Hebrews 12:1-2 (NASB20) – “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NASB20) – “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore, I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.”
Galatians 6:9 (NASB20) – “Let’s not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.”
5. Encouragement for Perseverance:
“I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.” – 1 Corinthians 9:23 (NASB20)
Related Scripture:
Romans 8:18 (NASB20) – “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”
2 Timothy 4:7-8 (NASB20) – “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.”
Hebrews 10:36 (NASB20) – “For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.”
As we study and meditate on Philippians 3:7-14 and these related Scriptures, may we be inspired to seek a deeper relationship with Christ, to renounce self-righteousness, endure through trials with faith and perseverance, press on towards the goal of knowing Christ, and receive the ultimate prize of eternal life through Him.