Righteousness Through Faith in Christ (Philippians 3:1-11)
Philippians 3:1–11 – Righteousness Through Faith in Christ
Introduction:
As Paul writes to the Philippians, he shifts to a deeply personal tone, warning them against false teachings and redirecting their focus to what truly matters: faith in Christ. In Philippians 3:1–11, Paul confronts the temptation to trust in earthly achievements and heritage. Instead, he places the surpassing value of knowing Christ at the center of the Christian life.
This passage serves as both a warning and an invitation. Paul exposes the futility of relying on human credentials or outward displays of righteousness. At the same time, he invites the Philippians—and us—to embrace the transformative power of a faith that rests solely in Christ.
Before moving to the passage, I want to call your attention to Jesus' baptism and how immediately after he hears, "You are my Beloved in whom I am well pleased." from God, the next passage has him in the wilderness being tempted to prove it, to do something to show himself as something more.
Verse by Verse Breakdown of Philippians 3:1–11 and Commentary
Philippians 3:1–3 – A Warning Against Confidence in the Flesh
“Beware of the dogs, beware of the evildoers, beware of those who mutilate the flesh!” (Philippians 3:2).
Paul begins with a sharp warning against those who promote circumcision as necessary for salvation. He labels them “dogs,” a term often used by Jews for Gentiles, flipping the insult on those promoting a legalistic approach to faith. For Paul, these false teachers undermine the true Gospel by shifting the focus from Christ’s work to human effort.
In contrast, Paul identifies true believers as those who “worship in the Spirit of God and boast in Christ Jesus” (v. 3). Their confidence isn’t in rituals or ancestry but in their relationship with Christ, empowered by the Spirit.
The bulk of the epistles have this undercurrent running in them: does someone who is not Jewish receive the sign of the covenant, circumcision and follow the law (religious law) to be part of the faith community? This debate is taken up in Acts 15 at the Jerusalem Conference.
Here are other passages where Paul speaks about the law.
Romans 3:19–31: Paul teaches that the law reveals sin but cannot justify anyone before God. Righteousness comes through faith in Jesus Christ apart from the works of the law.
Romans 7:1–25: He describes the struggle with sin under the law and explains that Christians have been released from the law to serve in the new way of the Spirit.
Romans 8:1–4: Paul declares that the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set believers free from the law of sin and death.
Galatians 2:15–21: Paul emphasizes justification by faith in Christ rather than by works of the law.
Galatians 3:1–29: He argues that the law served as a guardian until Christ came but cannot give life or righteousness.
Galatians 5:13–26: He explains that Christians live by the Spirit, which fulfills the intent of the law through love.
Philippians 3:4–6 – Paul’s Impressive Credentials
“If anyone else has reason to be confident in the flesh, I have more” (Philippians 3:4).
Paul recounts his own credentials as a devout Jew: circumcised on the eighth day, a member of the tribe of Benjamin, a Pharisee, and zealous in his pursuit of the law. By worldly and religious standards, Paul had every reason to boast. He was the epitome of righteousness according to the law.
But Paul’s list isn’t a boast—it’s a setup. He’s laying the groundwork to show the futility of trusting in these things. No earthly achievement, no matter how impressive, can compare to the righteousness that comes through Christ.
Philippians 3:7–9 – Counting Everything as Loss
“Whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ” (Philippians 3:7).
Here, Paul makes a dramatic shift. All the accomplishments and accolades he once valued are now “loss” compared to the treasure of knowing Christ. This isn’t just a rejection of his past—it’s a complete reorientation of values.
Paul uses accounting language to drive his point home. What was once in the “profit” column is now a liability. The surpassing worth of knowing Christ reshapes everything. Paul emphasizes that true righteousness isn’t earned through the law but is a gift from God, received through faith in Christ (v. 9).
Philippians 3:10–11 – The Power of Resurrection
“I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings”(Philippians 3:10).
Paul’s ultimate goal is clear: to know Christ fully. This isn’t just intellectual knowledge—it’s experiential, involving both the power of Christ’s resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings. For Paul, knowing Christ means sharing in every aspect of his life, death, and resurrection.
The phrase “becoming like him in his death” points to a life of self-denial and complete dependence on God. Paul’s hope is to “attain the resurrection from the dead” (v. 11), not as something he earns but as the culmination of his faith in Christ.
Philippians 3:1–11: Meaning for Today
Paul’s words challenge us to examine what we value most. In a world that prizes achievements, accolades, and outward success, it’s easy to put our confidence in the wrong things. But Paul reminds us that no earthly accomplishment can compare to the surpassing value of knowing Christ.
This passage calls us to let go of anything that hinders our relationship with Jesus. Whether it’s our own achievements, the approval of others, or even religious rituals, nothing should take precedence over Christ.
Paul’s desire to know Christ in his suffering and resurrection reminds us that faith isn’t about avoiding difficulties—it’s about finding Christ in the midst of them. It’s through surrender, not striving, that we experience the fullness of life in Christ.
So, what’s in your “profit” column that needs to be moved to “loss”? And how can you, like Paul, press into the joy of knowing Christ more deeply?
Sources:
• Fee, Gordon D. Paul’s Letter to the Philippians. NICNT, 1995, pp. 247–257.
• Silva, Moises. Philippians. BECNT, 2005, pp. 130–141.
• Wright, N.T. Paul for Everyone: The Prison Letters. SPCK, 2004, pp. 105–113.
• Cohick, Lynn. Philippians. Story of God Bible Commentary, 2013, pp. 106–116.
