This is an article I wrote several years ago on Philippians 3:17-4:1. I'm reproducing it ahead of Sunday's sermon on the same passage.
Paul concluded a discussion of what’s essential in Christianity—it is not things we accomplish that we can brag about, but our experiential knowledge of Christ that is important. He pointed out that the mature do, in fact, think this way.
He begins this section by encouraging the Philippian Christians to imitate him, to follow his example and the example of people like him (namely, Timothy and Epaphroditus). This serves a twofold purpose. First, Paul refers to the fruit of his hard life, that through learning contentment (4:11-14) he has become a model for others. Second, he offers himself and a few others as the standard for Christian living, since there was no standard. There was no Jewish law and no New Testament to point to, so Paul pointed to himself as the standard for Christian living.
Paul’s example is in contrast to the enemies of the cross. These enemies are contrasted with the true worshipers from 3:3.
Paul concluded a discussion of what’s essential in Christianity—it is not things we accomplish that we can brag about, but our experiential knowledge of Christ that is important. He pointed out that the mature do, in fact, think this way.
He begins this section by encouraging the Philippian Christians to imitate him, to follow his example and the example of people like him (namely, Timothy and Epaphroditus). This serves a twofold purpose. First, Paul refers to the fruit of his hard life, that through learning contentment (4:11-14) he has become a model for others. Second, he offers himself and a few others as the standard for Christian living, since there was no standard. There was no Jewish law and no New Testament to point to, so Paul pointed to himself as the standard for Christian living.
Paul’s example is in contrast to the enemies of the cross. These enemies are contrasted with the true worshipers from 3:3.
The end of the enemies is destruction; they are the opposite of the true worshipers. But are they Christians? Because of the context of what makes a good example, I think so. Paul describes himself as the premier example even as he states that many live apposite to the cross. The tendency might be to follow their example, but Paul says, “No—Follow me!” Probably they were a group of Christians who went to the other extreme against the Judaizers. Instead of emphasizing the law first, they taught there was no law, and a person was free to do whatever they wanted. This led to excesses that were not appropriate for Christians. In fact, this view is closely related to the heresy of Gnosticism, which is rooted in “lawlessness.”
In contrast to those whose minds are set on earthly things, true worshipers realize their citizenship is in heaven, and they await the coming-from-there Saviour. This Saviour, Jesus Christ, will transform our lowly body into a body that mirrors his glory, by his power that is able to subject all things to himself. Notice that the subjector is Jesus, not God. Notice also the comparison to what Christ did in 2:6-11—He became lowly and was glorified. Now, he will glorify our lowly bodies. Because of this, the believers, who are evidence of Paul’s victory in Christ, should stand firm in the Lord.
In contrast to those whose minds are set on earthly things, true worshipers realize their citizenship is in heaven, and they await the coming-from-there Saviour. This Saviour, Jesus Christ, will transform our lowly body into a body that mirrors his glory, by his power that is able to subject all things to himself. Notice that the subjector is Jesus, not God. Notice also the comparison to what Christ did in 2:6-11—He became lowly and was glorified. Now, he will glorify our lowly bodies. Because of this, the believers, who are evidence of Paul’s victory in Christ, should stand firm in the Lord.
RSS Feed
