THE BOOK OF PHILIPPIANS CHAPTER THREE OUTLINE AND COMMENTARY-MARK DUNAGAN
I.
OUTLINE OF CHAPTER THREE: I.
Warning Against Judaizing Teachers:
II.
Paul's Own Example As An Argument Against the Judaizers: 3:4-14
III.
II.
3:1-3
An Exhortation to Follow His Example:
IV.
Warning Against Enemies of the Cross:
V.
In Contrast:
3:15-17 3:18-19
The Mindset of the Christian:
3:20-21
INTRODUCTORY COMMENTS: Paul's praise of his friends (2:19-30) is followed by a swift rebuke of his foes. Chapter 3:2-3 seems to be best understood as referring to Judaizing teachers, who tried to bind various aspects of the Law of Moses upon Christians. The Church at Philippi might not have been immediately threatened by such teachers, as were the Churches of Galatia (Galatians 1:6-9; 4:10-11; 5:1-4). But virtually every congregation in the ancient world had found itself eventually confronted with these false teachers (Acts 15:1,5,24; 2 Corinthians 11:22-23; Colossians 2:16-23). Paul then uses his own example to vividly illustrate the vainty of trying to find acceptance with God on the basis of those things
connected with the Jewish religion. This is a wonderful chapter. On the one hand it demonstrates that man can't earn or merit salvation (3:9), and that salvation isn't found in the Jewish religion (3:7-8). On the other hand, it plainly shows that Christianity contains it's own requirements and conditons for salvation. The Christian must try, strive, and exert effort. And that "grace" isn't an excuse to engage in sin (3:12-19).
III. COMMENTARY ON CHAPTER THREE:
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. 'FINALLY'-(4:8), 'literally, "as for the rest"' (Robertson p. 451) 'The word may mean 'henceforth' or..merely 'further'. (Erdman p. 107). 'are very appropriate when a letter is gradually drawing to a close..1 Thess. 4:1.' (Hendriksen p. 147) The same word is used when Paul makes a transition or begins a new topic in his letters (1 Thess. 4:1; 2 Thess. 3:1). 'REJOICE IN THE LORD'-(1:18; 2:17-18; 4:4,10) 'present tense, keep on rejoicing in the Lord...It is probably designed to instill confidence in the brethren in spite of the warnings which are to follow.' (Jackson pp. 61-62)
Points to Note: 1.
Bad news will always confront the Christian. People will always die, false teaching will always be prevalent (2 Peter 2:1; 1 John 4:1) and temptation will constantly surround us (Eph. 6:10ff). And the local congregation will always be faced with the fact that a certain percentage of those converted, won't remain
faithful (Luke 8:11-15). But in the midst of all this bad news, the Christian always has something to rejoice in, i.e. their own relationship with the Lord. Despite the setbacks and disappointments, nothing can separate me from God, expect myself. Despite what others may or may not do, I can make it to heaven. Despite lost condition of many, I am saved! 2.
This infers, that if your not "in the Lord", your present joy is only an illusion. Thus, faith and baptism (Galatians 3:26-27; Eph. 1:3), stands between one and true and legitimate joy.
3.
The joy of the Christian isn't rooted in external circumstances. Thus, we have a joy that nobody outside of ourselves can really touch (John 16:22).
'TO WRITE THE SAME THINGS TO YOU'-Indicating that the warning to be given, had been given before. When personally with the Philippians, Paul had warned them of the following false teachers. 'TO ME INDEED IS NOT IRKSOME'-'To repeat the same warnings is not wearisome to me' (Con); 'It doesn't bore me to repeat'; 'I never get tired of telling you this' (Tay). Points to Note: 1.
'Like any good teacher, Paul was never afraid of repetition. It may well be that one of our faults is our desire for novelty. The great saving truths of Christianity do not change; and we cannot hear them too often..No teacher must find it a trouble to go over and over again the great..truths of the Christian faith..' (Barclay p. 52)
2.
The Bible stresses repetition in preaching (2 Peter 1:12-15; Titus 3:1; 2 Tim. 4:2-4; 2:14; 1 Tim. 4:6).
3.
Note, the truth of Christianity doesn't "evolve". Unfortunately, the religious world is always faced with those who claim they have found something completely new in the teachings of Christ. Paul wrote the "same things", that he had said years previous.
4.
Paul didn't get tired for bored with "doctrine". we?
Do
'BUT FOR YOU IT IS SAFE'-'it is a safeguard for you' (NASV); 'it is a safe precaution' (Wey); 'it is good for you to hear it again and again' (Tay). 'SAFE'-'is to be taken in an active sense, tending to make you safe' (Lenski p. 827)
Points to Note: 1.
The Philippians would be "protected" from false teachers and their erroneous doctrines, in the exact same manner that we are today. That is, such protection is found in adhering to the writings of the apostles. Believing that the apostles actually wrote the Word of God (1 Thess. 2:13), and loving the Word of God above all other ideas (2 Thess. 2:10-12), will guard one against believing error.
2.
Carefully note: The Philippians had to interpret Paul's letter, just as we do today. Paul didn't have a problem with people interpreting what he said. He knew that his writings were of such clarity that honest hearts you love truth wouldn't reach the wrong conclusions (Eph. 3:3-5). Peter agreed (2 Peter 3:1516).
3.
This verse clearly admits that:
(1)
Spiritual safetly
is found in obeying the letters of the apostles. Obviously then, the epistles are very important and vital for our eventual salvation. It would be spiritual suicide to say that we aren't expected to obey what is found in the letters that the apostles wrote to the early churches. The false teachers in the First Century would have loved for congregations to embrace such a view. (2) What Paul is writing is understandable. (3) Salvation is conditional. There exist many who will try to lure us back into sin. (4) No apologies need to be given for basic bible lessons that we have all heard many times before. (5) The preacher must be on the lookout for error and warn the members (Ezekiel 33:2-6; Acts 20:26ff)
Philippians 3:2 Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the concision: 'BEWARE'-991. blepo {blep'-o}; a primary verb; to look at (literally or figuratively): -behold, beware, lie, look (on, to), perceive, regard, see, sight, take heed. Compare 3700. -Notice the emphasis, 'Beware..beware..beware..'. 'Three times for urgency..' (Robertson p. 451) 'Paul's pen almost shouts.' (Jackson p. 62) Points to Note: 1.
"Dogs, evil workers and concision" refers to one common type of false teacher or enemy and not three different forms of opposition.
2.
The threat is real. Christians cannot be gullible. These and other verses admit: (1) False teachers do exist (2 Peter 2:1). (2) Many of them exist (1 John 4:1). (3) You must listen to what they teach, to detect them (2 Cor. 11:13-15). (4) They even exist in the Church (Acts 20:29-31). (5) God will not mysteriously or miracuously protect us from believing error. God plays no favorites (Romans 2:11). Therefore, are only insulation against believing error
consists in the writings of the apostles and a love for truth. 3.
There is some debate concerning exactly who Paul is condemning in these verses. Basically two views exist: (a) Jewish teachers. (b) Judaizing teachers in the Church, i.e. Jews were had become Christians and who were trying to bind various aspects of the Law of Moses upon Christians (Acts 15:1-5). It seems to me that Paul has Judaizing teachers in mind. (1) This was the same threat faced by other congregations. (2) Zealous advocates of the Jewish faith did persecute the Church, but such was really only an external danger. In contrast, the Judaizers were within the Church already (Galatians 2:4). Christians already knew that unconverted zealous Jews were lost. But, the Judaizers had become Christians and were members of the Church.
'DOGS'-