Philippians 3-4
Secrets of Glory, Peace
and Contentment

The soul stirring musical instruments, would have overwhelmed the senses with the grandeur of God. Loud resounding cymbals, along with the trumpets, etc, would have blocked out all other thoughts except the praise of God.

Since all beings live by the breath of God in them, all creatures have the mandate to use that breath to praise God.

We should rejoice in the Lord and what He has in store for us, not in the things that worldlings rejoice in. Paul warns the believers against the Judaizers who want Gentiles to keep the law as the means of blessing (see comments on Galatians), who place confidence in their flesh rather than their faith. Those who have confidence in the flesh rely upon a one time act (like circumcision) rather than ongoing dependent faith. One time acts of faith get someone justified, but are as useless for reaping blessing in the Messianic Kingdom as is circumcision. Worshiping and rejoicing are in the present tense, indicating ongoing actions. Remember worship is a response to revelation, which necessitates ongoing, purposeful obedience (that should accompany faith -Romans 1:5-Romans 16:26). Rejoicing is not just singing a song either, but encompasses what these two chapters are about (cf 3:1).

Paul had more reason than most for putting confidence in his fleshly achievements. However, he considers that as dung so that he might gain Christ. Gain/win is in a purpose clause (hina+subjunctive) which is conditional and not something Paul presently possesses. Obviously Paul is justified/forgiven, but there is something more that he wants to gain or win. Christ is put for all that the Messiah has to offer as the following context indicates. Gain is used in the calls to discipleship and the parable of the talents, obvious reward passages, as here (Matthew 16:26; Matthew 25:17; Phil 3:14). Forgetting what is behind us is usually a good idea, but do remember the lessons learned. Past failures can make us feel inadequate, and past successes can lead to complacency. So a forward focus is a good perspective.

Paul elaborates on what he means by gaining or winning (the approval of -ellipsis??) Christ. He wants to be found, when Christ returns, in an abiding relationship with Him, not following the rituals of (ek =sourced in/out of) the law, but because (dia) of faith in Christ, with a righteousness (doing what is right in His sight) that comes from God, based upon (epi) faith in His promises. The purpose or result of having this righteousness is that Paul wants to know/experience abiding intimacy with Christ, and experience the power of His resurrection (Holy Spirit enabling power). The resurrection power is necessary to participate/share in the sufferings (that usually accompany obedient ministry) of Christ, becoming like Him in His death (for the benefit of others).

Why would Paul want to suffer? In Romans 8:17 Paul taught that those who co-suffer with Christ will be co-glorified with Him. No pain; no gain. “If by any means” is conditional, as is “may attain” (subjunctive). Paul wants to attain to the “out resurrection” from the dead. Paul puts the prefix “ek” in front of the word for resurrection (only used here). He's thinking of more than just being pulled out of the grave, as the following context shows. Everyone is resurrected, some to life/dominion/glory, others to shame (Daniel 12:2-3). Paul is envisioning the fulfilling/perfecting of his purpose on earth, his glorification. He says that he hasn't already attained it nor is perfected (perfect tense) so he chases/pursues it, so he can take hold of the thing for which Christ took hold of him. What was that? One doesn't have to chase after justification or forgiveness, God has freely granted that to those who believe in Jesus. The thing Paul chases after is the prize of the glory. That's why Christ took hold of him, to be able to share His glory and rule with His faithful companions. So forgetting past attainments, Paul focuses on one thing (cf 2 Corinthians 5:9-10). He stretches forward as an athlete straining forward to break the tape at the finish line, to win the prize. His goal is to win the award from the umpire in the games (only used in 1 Corinthians 9:24 in the same context of winning a race). Modern Olympic award ceremonies follow the ancient practice of calling up the winner to the platform at the conclusion of the race to receive his/her prize. The upward call probably has a double meaning; the call up to the winner's platform, and the call up to the resurrection of the righteous when Christ returns and rewards His faithful saints (Luke 14:14).

Paul says that pursuing the prize (reward of glory) is what all mature believers should do. The immature are only concerned about earthly reward, the mature saints stretch themselves forward to take hold of the glory for which Christ took hold of them (cf. Ephesians 1 comments). Those who think otherwise are in for a reproof or rebuke from God when He reveals the error in their thinking and ways. Paul exhorts the believers to walk/live by the same standard/rule to which they have come/arrived, in other words, keep pressing on. Unity is achieved by everyone embracing God's way, not agreeing to disagree.

Therefore, in light of the prospect of the upward call to reward and glory, Paul exhorts them to follow his example and that of those who press for the prize. The reason this exhortation is needed is because many walk the broad and easy way, as enemies of the cross of Christ. This doesn't mean they are unbelievers, because why would Paul weep over them, and why would the Philippians be tempted to follow unbelievers? These are either the folks who advocate circumcision over the cross, or those who abhor the cross of self-denial, or they could be one and the same. Their god is their belly/appetites; their glory is in the things that will cause them shame at the resurrection (Daniel 12:2-3); they focus on the earthly things (for the benefits they derive from them); their end is destruction, not reward and glory; they are worldlings. In contrast a Christ following believer's citizenship is in heaven, from where will come the Savior they eagerly await, the Lord Jesus, the Messiah. When He comes, He will change the mortal body of believers to be like His glorified body (see comments on glory suit in 2 Corinthians 5; and 1 Corinthians 15). Christ does this through the working/administration of God's power, the Holy Spirit of glory, through whom all things will be subjected to Christ.

In light of the expectation of the upward call of Christ to reward faithful believers, Paul encourages the Philippians to stand firm in their union with the Lord. Unfortunately two women who had labored with Paul were having a unity disrupting disagreement that Paul heard about. He exhorted them to become like-minded, by agreeing to look at things God's way. He also asked fellow believers (yoke-fellows) to be peacemakers. The rejoicing in the Lord (rather than in getting one's own way) and forbearing/gentle spirit (that takes no offense at offenses) would go a long way toward developing that unity. That's what they should be known for, not bickering nor disagreement. As an additional motivation, Paul reminds them that the Lord is coming back soon to judge, and disunity doesn't get rewarded with glory, but something less desirable.

See the extended comments in the TMS observations on this verse in the 1 Corinthians 15 post, as well as those in the 7PASSAGES Discipleship Study. We should pray about every and any thing that makes us anxious, and knowing that God knows, will enable the peace of God to guard our hearts and minds as we are in union with Christ. However, there is more blessing to be had. Those who focus on what is pleasing in God's sight (see list in text) will have the God of peace with them, a greater benefit than merely His peace (see John 14:21, another good verse to memorize). Following the teaching and example of Paul would result in the blessing of greater intimacy with God.

Paul rejoices in the Lord greatly (as in praise, thanksgiving, appreciation, and general whooping it up) because the Philippians have revived their financial concern for him. This is a reference to Philippians 1:6. They were concerned but lacked opportunity to give. As a result Paul's financial needs weren't being met by them. But Paul was not complaining, because he had learned the secret of contentment. He knew how to have a lot, or an abundance, and how to have a little, how to be filled and hungry, abound and be in need. The word for learned/instructed was used of being initiated into the mysteries of a religion. Outward circumstances were irrelevant, because Paul knew the inside secret. This is that Christ would supply all he needed to do His will, strengthening him supernaturally when necessary. We always have all we need to do God's will. Our job is to determine His revealed will, and then do it, trusting Him to provide the resources we need. It's not to think what we can do with the resources we have, and then determine that to be God's will. It is true that if God doesn't give us the information or resources we need to progress in a certain direction or make a certain decision, then we don't have what we need to determine and do His will. That would be presumption, to decide something independently of God, and then say it was His will. But do remember when Israel crossed the Jordan under Joshua's leadership, the revealed will was to cross the river, while the water was still in it. It wasn't until they took the step of obedience that the waters parted. The situation was different under Moses and the Red Sea, which is why we don't determine God's will by circumstances nor resources. See the Will of God outline on Truthbase.net, if you haven't already. So the secret is to have an abiding relationship with the True Vine (John 15) so we can discern His will and draw on His strength to do it. We too can do all God wants us to (or commands us to) by His strength. All we need to do is draw on it, and not waste it on trivial pursuits.

Even though Paul was perfectly content with whatever God saw fit to provide for him, the Philippians did well to share in his affliction/pressure. In the beginning of his ministry after he left Macedonia to go to Thessalonica, Athens, Corinth, Ephesus, and other places, only the Philippians supported him. He isn't seeking a gift, but the fruit/reward that will accrue in their heavenly bank account (Matthew 6:20). He knows the secret of having all he needs (and needing all he has), because Christ strengthens him. But the sacrificial gift from them is an offering to God, that is sweet in His sight (and nose). Then Paul promises that God will meet every need of theirs (as they are doing His will), according to His riches, by/in His glory/power, in their union with Christ. This is a promise specifically to them, but the principle is applicable to all who sacrificially serve Christ according to His will.

2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.

Paul ends with a desire for God to be glorified as He pours out His grace on faithful saints. Apparently Paul's statement in 1:13 about not only the palace guard, but the whole royal household included converts in Caesar's house as well. God can get the gospel to the highest places in the world, through bad things happening to good saints (cf. Joseph, Daniel, Nehemiah, Ezra). What we might think is a tragedy will turn into a triumph if we respond correctly in faith (that God delivers and rewards those who diligently seek Him -Hebrews 11:6).