Philippians 3:1

Outline of 3:1-21

Rejoice; Philippians 3:1

F.

False teachers contrasted with Paul's example; Philippians 3:2-21; Philippians 4:1

1.

Why beware of the law-keepers; Philippians 3:2-16

a.

Because they are not the true people of God; Philippians 3:2-3

(1)

They are dogs, evil workers, concision; Philippians 3:2

(2)

We are the circumcision; Philippians 3:3

(a)

We who worship by the Spirit of God

(b)

We who glory in Christ Jesus

(c)

We who have no confidence in the flesh

b.

Because Paul had more to place confidence in than they, but he sought only Christ; Philippians 3:4-16

(1)

What Paul could have placed confidence in; Philippians 3:4-6

(a)

Being circumcised eighth day

(b)

Being of the stock of Israel

(c)

Being of the tribe of Benjamin

(d)

Being a Hebrew of Hebrews

(e)

Being a Pharisee

(f)

Being zealous unto persecuting

(g)

Being blameless according to the law

(2)

Paul's attitudes; Philippians 3:7-15

(a)

Counted gains under the law as loss; Philippians 3:7

(b)

Counted all things loss for Christ; Philippians 3:8 a

(c)

Desired only Christ; Philippians 3:8 b - Philippians 3:11

To gain Christ; Philippians 3:8 b

To be found in Him; Philippians 3:9

To know Him; Philippians 3:10 a

To know the power of His resurrection; Philippians 3:10 b

To know the fellowship of his sufferings; Philippians 3:10 b - Philippians 3:11

(d)

Did not consider that he was perfect; Philippians 3:12 a, Philippians 3:13 a

(e)

He pressed on; Philippians 3:12 b, Philippians 3:13 b - Philippians 3:16

Let us all be thus minded; Philippians 3:15

Let us walk as we have attained; Philippians 3:16

2.

Why be imitators of Paul: Philippians 3:17-21

a.

Command to imitate Paul; Philippians 3:17

b.

Reasons for imitating Paul; Philippians 3:18 b - Philippians 3:21

(1)

Because many are enemies of the cross; Philippians 3:18-19

(2)

Because our citizenship is in heaven; Philippians 3:20-21

Philippians 3:1. Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not irksome, but for you it is safe.

Translation and Paraphrase

Philippians 3:1 (As for) the remaining (considerations), my brothers, (just continue to) rejoice in the Lord. (If it sounds repetitious for me to say this, well) to me it is not (at all) irksome to keep writing the same things to you (that I have declared in previous communications. I do not do it because I am lazy or have nothing else to say), and (furthermore) for you this is (the only) safe (course I can follow).

Notes

1.

Chapter three opens with Finally, although it is only about half way through the epistle. The word Finally does not here mean In conclusion.

This expression Finally (Gr. to loipon) is used frequently by Paul to begin some new subject in his writings. It is various translated as finally (2 Corinthians 13:1), henceforth (Mark 14:41; 1 Corinthians 7:29; Hebrews 10:13; 2 Timothy 4:9), For the rest, besides, or as to what remains. (1 Thessalonians 4:1; 2 Thessalonians 3:1).

The finally in Philippians 3:1 is resumed, or perhaps repeated, at Philippians 4:8.

2.

The obligation to rejoice in the Lord is stated several times in this epistle. See Philippians 2:18; Philippians 4:4. Compare 2 Corinthians 13:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:16.

3.

Rejoice is a present tense form, signifying continuous action: Keep on rejoicing. The joy of Christians is continuous and indestructible because it is joy in the Lord. Our earthly circumstances may change, causing us to feel elated or sad, but the Lord never changes. We can always rejoice in Him. Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. (Romans 8:35-39). So, no matter what your troubles, Rejoice!

4.

Christian joy is more often hindered by minor inconveniences than by major tragedies. Learn not to react to a five-cent annoyance by a five-dollar surge of adrenalin and anger.

5.

In this verse (Philippians 3:1) Paul sets forth the necessity for repetition in our teachings. Preachers must not fear to repeat themselves. In the four gospels we find several identical statements by Christ placed in different situations. Obviously Christ repeated himself frequently, After all we have only one message, and men cannot hear the old truths too often.

Paul did not therefore find it irksome, or grievous, to him to repeat himself. On the contrary he viewed repetition as the only safe course for the Philippians.

6.

The same things that are referred to could be the things written earlier in this book (we prefer this view), or things spoken orally before, or a repetition of things written in some earlier letters. There is no real evidence that Paul ever wrote an earlier letter to the Philippians,

7.

There is a sudden change of tone after Philippians 3:1. Philippians 3:2 begins a section that is harshly critical of certain men. However, we need not conclude, as some have, that the sudden change in tone indicates that our book of Philippians is a composite production, made of parts of two letters unskillfully combined by someone long after Paul's time. See introductory sections, page 12.