Philippians 3:1
The same things — Which you have heard before.... [ Continue Reading ]
The same things — Which you have heard before.... [ Continue Reading ]
Beware of dogs — Unclean, unholy, rapacious men. The title which the Jews usually gave the gentiles, he returns upon themselves. The concision — Circumcision being now ceased, the apostle will not call them the circumcision, but coins a term on purpose, taken from a Greek word used by the LXX, Levit... [ Continue Reading ]
For we — Christians. Are the only true circumcision — The people now in covenant with God. Who worship God in spirit — Not barely in the letter, but with the spiritual worship of inward holiness. And glory in Christ Jesus — As the only cause of all our blessings. And have no confidence in the flesh... [ Continue Reading ]
Though I — He subjoins this in the singular number, because the Philippians could not say thus.... [ Continue Reading ]
Circumcised the eighth day — Not at ripe age, as a proselyte. Of the tribe of Benjamin — Sprung from the wife, not the handmaid. An Hebrew of Hebrews — By both my parents; in everything, nation, religion, language. Touching the law, a pharisee — One of that sect who most accurately observe it.... [ Continue Reading ]
Having such a zeal for it as to persecute to the death those who did not observe it. Touching the righteousness which is described and enjoined by the Law — That is, external observances, blameless.... [ Continue Reading ]
But all these things, which I then accounted gain, which were once my confidence, my glory, and joy, those, ever since I have believed, I have accounted loss, nothing worth in comparison of Christ.... [ Continue Reading ]
Yea, I still account both all these and all things else to be mere loss, compared to the inward, experimental knowledge of Christ, as my Lord, as my prophet, priest, and king, as teaching me wisdom, atoning for my sins, and reigning in my heart. To refer this to justification only, is miserably to p... [ Continue Reading ]
And be found by God ingrafted in him, not having my own righteousness, which is of the law — That merely outward righteousness prescribed by the law, and performed by my own strength. But that inward righteousness which is through faith — Which can flow from no other fountain. The righteousness whic... [ Continue Reading ]
The knowledge of Christ, mentioned in Philippians 3:8, is here more largely explained. That I may know him — As my complete Saviour. And the power of his resurrection — Raising me from the death of sin, into all the life of love. And the fellowship of his sufferings — Being crucified with him. And m... [ Continue Reading ]
The resurrection of the dead — That is, the resurrection to glory.... [ Continue Reading ]
Not that I have already attained — The prize. He here enters on a new set of metaphors, taken from a race. But observe how, in the utmost fervour, he retains his sobriety of spirit. Or am already perfected — There is a difference between one that is perfect, and one that is perfected. The one is fit... [ Continue Reading ]
I do not account myself to have apprehended this already; to be already possessed of perfect holiness.... [ Continue Reading ]
Forgetting the things that are behind — Even that part of the race which is already run. And reaching forth unto — Literally, stretched out over the things that are before — Pursuing with the whole bent and vigour of my soul, perfect holiness and eternal glory. In Christ Jesus — The author and finis... [ Continue Reading ]
Let us, as many as are perfect — Fit for the race, strong in faith; so it means here. Be thus minded — Apply wholly to this one thing. And if in anything ye — Who are not perfect, who are weak in faith. Be otherwise minded — Pursuing other things. God, if ye desire it, shall reveal even this unto yo... [ Continue Reading ]
But let us take care not to lose the ground we have already gained. Let us walk by the same rule we have done hitherto.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark them — For your imitation.... [ Continue Reading ]
Weeping — As he wrote. Enemies of the cross of Christ — Such are all cowardly, all shamefaced, all delicate Christians.... [ Continue Reading ]
Whose end is destruction — This is placed in the front, that what follows may be read with the greater horror. Whose god is their belly — Whose supreme happiness lies in gratifying their sensual appetites. Who mind — Relish, desire, seek, earthly things.... [ Continue Reading ]
Our conversation — The Greek word is of a very extenslve meaning: our citizenship, our thoughts, our affections, are already in heaven.... [ Continue Reading ]
Who will transform our vile body — Into the most perfect state, and the most beauteous form. It will then be purer than the unspotted firmament, brighter than the lustre of the stars and, which exceeds all parallel, which comprehends all perfection, like unto his glorious body — Like that wonderfull... [ Continue Reading ]