“All for Christ” is the heading supplied by NKJV translators for the text of Philippians 3:1-11. It references Paul’s willingness to give up all of his past – accomplishments, reputation & companions – in order to attain what Jesus had promised. Indeed, this is the central theme of these verses. It must be remembered that Paul was writing a letter (this one to the Philippian church), and so there are many things we can get out of this section of scripture other than the primary theme.
For example, his call for us to rejoice in Jesus (1). Our lives as Christians can sometimes be difficult. For example any privation or persecution we may suffer (cf. 2 Timothy 3:12). As this was the lot of many in the first century, Paul was always quick to remind them of the benefits of being in Christ, and encourage them to embrace their hope of salvation.
His warning, “Beware!” (2). Paul warned his readers about dogs, evil workers, the “mutilation.” Although we can broaden the context in this warning to cover any type of false teaching, it directly referred to one group, the Judaizers. Paul had many interactions with them. He continually warned and taught so that their evil influence would not overwhelm churches like those in Galatia (cf. Galatians 1:6-10). This error was described by Luke in Acts 15:5, “But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying ‘It is necessary to circumcise them [the Gentile believers] and to command them to keep the law of Moses.’” Paul’s words describe both the insidious teaching that they brought, and also their tactics and actions. His arguments (also found in Romans) conclude with the declaration that Christians are now the circumcision (3). Faith in Christ, not any physical token, is what God now requires of His people (cf. Romans 2:28-30).
This is the purpose of his revealing his pedigree as a national Jew, to set the state for the declaration of this paragraph. He describes such standing and previous life being built upon his national identity as “confidence in the flesh” (4).
He had been circumcised (on the 8th day, in accord with the instructions of God), (cf. Leviticus 12:3). He had lineage to show that He was legitimately a Jew, specifically of the tribe of Benjamin. (The tribe, notably, stayed with Judah in the south as their brethren established another kingdom in the North after the death of Solomon). This was a cause of fleshly pride. When other tribes became unfaithful, Benjamin continued to serve God! (cf. 2 Chronicles 11:1-4).
He described himself as a Hebrew of the Hebrews. If anyone could characterize himself a legitimate, religious Jew, it was Paul. His background was in the sect called the Pharisees, the most pious of the Jewish sects, having learned at the feet of the famous rabbi Gamaliel (cf. Acts 22:3). Gamaliel was widely considered the greatest of all the Pharisee scholars, one who had great respect for the Hebrew scriptures.
His zeal was notable. While others disdained the sect even Jews referred to as “the Way”, Paul actively persecuted God’s people. In Acts chapters 7 and 8 this is clearly established, with (7:58) showing a “young man named Saul” was a participant in the murder of Stephen. In Chapter 8:3 Luke wrote, “As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.” In fact, the very occasion leading to Paul’s conversion was one begun as an attempt to go to Damascus for the purpose of imprisoning Christians (cf. Acts 9:1-3).
All of this set up His premise. Though his life was one of pure devotion to the Pharisaic understanding of Old Testament law; though his pedigree as a Jew was unquestioned, and rose above his contemporaries; He wrote, “But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ” (Philippians 3:7). He gave them up for Jesus. He further noted his sacrifice by saying that counted them as “rubbish” (literally meaning “refuse or dung”) when he became a Christian.
How did he describe this sacrifice? In the most positive way imaginable! He described the reception of a righteousness which is through faith in Christ, contrasting it favorably to that obtained from keeping the law (9). (See Paul’s view of this difference in Romans 10:1-10).
He revealed this relationship with Christ allowed him to “know” Christ (10). This reminds me of Peter’s response when Jesus asked him and the other apostles, “Do you also want to go away?” Peter answered, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:67-68). This knowledge gave Paul access to the power of the resurrection. Christ is the first fruits in this victory over death. His resurrection paves the way for our resurrection and life eternal! (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:20-23). Paul’s knowledge allowed him to participate in Christ’s sufferings, thus securing him the victory that belongs to the Lord (1 Peter 4:12-13). This allowed him to conform himself to Christ’s death. The tense in the Greek indicates a continuous action as our knowledge of Christ allows us to grow in our process of adopting His tempermant, His meekness, His response to His own death on the cross.
So, what do we take from this passage? Consider Jesus’ words in Matthew 16:24, “Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.’” Like Paul we must be willing to set aside both our accomplishments and position in this physical world, and our pursuit of the same! Like Paul, we must sacrifice those things so that we can be sure to benefit from His life and death for us! This is what it takes to “attain to the resurrection from the dead” (11).
