The Chosen Key Word in this Chapter is “Press” it comes from the Greek Word “dioko” which means “to pursue, to press forward.”
Paul lists his impressive religious credentials, then throws them all away for something far better. Welcome to Bible Life Basics Chapter Reviews, I am Chris and this is Philippians 3.
Paul warns the Philippians against those who insist on circumcision, explaining that genuine believers are the true circumcision, worshiping God in the Spirit, rejoicing in Christ Jesus, and having no confidence in the flesh. He lists his own impressive credentials, circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, a Pharisee, and blameless concerning the righteousness found in the law, yet declares that whatever gain these things once represented, he now counts as loss for the sake of Christ.
Paul insists he counts all things as loss, even rubbish, compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus his Lord, wanting to be found in Him, not having his own righteousness derived from the law, but the righteousness that comes through faith in Christ, that he might know Christ, the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, hoping to attain the resurrection of the dead.
Paul admits he has not already attained this, nor is he already perfect, but he presses on to lay hold of what Christ has already laid hold of him for. Using the Greek word “dioko,” meaning to pursue or press forward, he describes forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, pressing “toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” He urges mature believers to think this same way, and warns against those who live as enemies of the cross, whose god is their belly and whose glory is their shame, reminding the Philippians that their true citizenship is in heaven, from where they eagerly await the Savior, who will transform their lowly bodies to be like His own glorious body.
Paul’s willingness to consider his entire impressive religious resume as worthless rubbish compared to knowing Christ shows real spiritual perspective. His honest admission that he had not yet fully arrived, but kept pressing forward anyway, offers real encouragement for anyone tempted to feel discouraged by their own incomplete spiritual progress.
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