Chapter 3
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The
apostle cautions the Philippians against judaizing false teachers, and
renounces his own former privileges
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1–11
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Expresses
earnest desire to be found in Christ; also his pressing on toward perfection;
and recommends his own example to other believers
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12–21
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Verses 1–11
Sincere Christians rejoice in Christ Jesus. The prophet
calls the false prophets dumb dogs, Isa 56:10; to which the apostle seems to
refer. Dogs, for their malice against faithful professors of the gospel of
Christ, barking at them and biting them. They urged human works in opposition
to the faith of Christ; but Paul calls them evil-workers. He calls them the
concision; as they rent the church of Christ, and cut it to pieces. The work of
religion is to no purpose, unless the heart is in it, and we must worship God
in the strength and grace of the Divine Spirit. They rejoice in Christ Jesus,
not in mere outward enjoyments and performances. Nor can we too earnestly guard
against those who oppose or abuse the doctrine of free salvation. If the
apostle would have gloried and trusted in the flesh, he had as much cause as
any man. But the things which he counted gain while a Pharisee, and had
reckoned up, those he counted loss for Christ. The apostle did not persuade
them to do any thing but what he himself did; or to venture on any thing but
that on which he himself ventured his never-dying soul. He deemed all these
things to be but loss, compared with the knowledge of Christ, by faith in his
person and salvation. He speaks of all worldly enjoyments and outward
privileges which sought a place with Christ in his heart, or could pretend to
any merit and desert, and counted them but loss; but it might be said, It is easy
to say so; but what would he do when he came to the trial? He had suffered the
loss of all for the privileges of a Christian. Nay, he not only counted them
loss, but the vilest refuse, offals thrown to dogs; not only less valuable than
Christ, but in the highest degree contemptible, when set up as against him.
True knowledge of Christ alters and changes men, their judgments and manners,
and makes them as if made again anew. The believer prefers Christ, knowing that
it is better for us to be without all worldly riches, than without Christ and
his word. Let us see what the apostle resolved to cleave to, and that was
Christ and heaven. We are undone, without righteousness wherein to appear
before God, for we are guilty. There is a righteousness provided for us in
Jesus Christ, and it is a complete and perfect righteousness. None can have
benefit by it, who trust in themselves. Faith is the appointed means of
applying the saving benefit. It is by faith in Christ’s blood. We are made
conformable to Christ’s death, when we die to sin, as he died for sin; and the
world is crucified to us, and we to the world, by the cross of Christ. The
apostle was willing to do or to suffer any thing, to attain the glorious
resurrection of saints. This hope and prospect carried him through all
difficulties in his work. He did not hope to attain it through his own merit
and righteousness, but through the merit and righteousness of Jesus Christ.
Verses 12–21
This simple dependence and earnestness of soul, were not
mentioned as if the apostle had gained the prize, or were already made perfect
in the Saviour’s likeness. He forgot the things which were behind, so as not to
be content with past labours or present measures of grace. He reached forth,
stretched himself forward towards his point; expressions showing great concern
to become more and more like unto Christ. He who runs a race, must never stop
short of the end, but press forward as fast as he can; so those who have heaven
in their view, must still press forward to it, in holy desires and hopes, and
constant endeavours. Eternal life is the gift of God, but it is in Christ
Jesus; through his hand it must come to us, as it is procured for us by him.
There is no getting to heaven as our home, but by Christ as our Way. True
believers, in seeking this assurance, as well as to glorify him, will seek more
nearly to resemble his sufferings and death, by dying to sin, and by crucifying
the flesh with its affections and lusts. In these things there is a great
difference among real Christians, but all know something of them. Believers
make Christ all in all, and set their hearts upon another world. If they differ
from one another, and are not of the same judgment in lesser matters, yet they
must not judge one another; while they all meet now in Christ, and hope to meet
shortly in heaven. Let them join in all the great things in which they are
agreed, and wait for further light as to lesser things wherein they differ. The
enemies of the cross of Christ mind nothing but their sensual appetites. Sin is
the sinner’s shame, especially when gloried in. The way of those who mind
earthly things, may seem pleasant, but death and hell are at the end of it. If
we choose their way, we shall share their end. The life of a Christian is in
heaven, where his Head and his home are, and where he hopes to be shortly; he
sets his affections upon things above; and where his heart is, there will his
conversation be. There is glory kept for the bodies of the saints, in which
they will appear at the resurrection. Then the body will be made glorious; not
only raised again to life, but raised to great advantage. Observe the power by
which this change will be wrought. May we be always prepared for the coming of
our Judge; looking to have our vile bodies changed by his Almighty power, and
applying to him daily to new-create our souls unto holiness; to deliver us from
our enemies, and to employ our bodies and souls as instruments of righteousness
in his service.
Excerpt from:
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Bible
Matthew Henry (1662 - 1714)
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