Welcome to the next part of our series, "Piece of Work."
Here is today's text:

(Philippians 3:1-11) Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard your faith. Watch out for those dogs, those people who do evil, those mutilators who say you must be circumcised to be saved. For we who worship by the Spirit of God are the ones who are truly circumcised. We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort, though I could have confidence in my own effort if anyone could. Indeed, if others have reason for confidence in their own efforts, I have even more! I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin—a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault. I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!

Philippians Overview - Brandon’s Public Commentary

Brandon's Public Commentary

Overall Commentary: 🌎

The book of Philippians is a joyful letter from the Apostle Paul to the church in Philippi, written while he was in prison. It encourages believers to live with humility, unity, and joy in Christ, regardless of circumstances. Paul highlights Jesus as the ultimate example of selfless service and reminds readers that true contentment comes from knowing Him.

There are so many things to enjoy about this book. Here are a few to give context:

The people of Philippi were very loyal to the Roman Empire. Most of the inhabitants were retired military. This is why Paul mentions the courts of Caesar and the military guard.
Paul teaches about joy, contentment, and God doing a work in their lives while sitting in jail.
Philippi was the first church Paul planted in Europe.
The city was named after Alexander the Great's father.
The city's ruins are still available today.

Today's Commentary.

Verse 1: Protect Your Joy.

Verse 1.

"Rejoice in the Lord"- Paul revisits his theme. The people of Philippi should always be rejoicing in the Lord.
"Safeguard"- Paul says they should be protecting their joy. Since the people of Philippi were predominantly retired military, this language would have been understood. It is one thing to conquer something and quite another to keep it.
- Christ has conquered it all and given us our faith. Then, He equips us to defend it from all fear, anxiety, and lies of the enemy.

Verse 2-3. Protect Your Joy From Deception.

Verse 2.

"Dogs"- During this time, some gentile households had dogs as pets. However, most Jewish people did not. These types of dogs were scavengers and hunted in packs. They were dangerous. There is also an irony because Jewish people sometimes call Gentiles "dogs." Now, Paul calls the Judaizers dogs.
"People who do evil"- People who try to pervert the Gospel.
"Mutilators"- Paul is referring to those who said you must be circumcised to be right with God.

Verse 3.

Paul lays out a quick way to know if your faith is truly found in Christ. While this is not an exhaustive list, it is a good start.
- "Worship" or live by the Spirit of God.
- "Rely" or trust in what Christ has done.
- "No reason for confidence in the flesh," or they lean on the finished work of Christ.

Verse 4-9. Protect Your Joy With Your Testimony.

Verse 4.

Paul begins his personal testimony by saying that he has many reasons to admit that God is the only way to find lasting joy.

Verse 5.

"Eight days old"- This would have fulfilled the law. He is saying he was raised as a jew.
"Pharisee" - known as the strictest sect of Judaism. He says he was very strict about the law. He knows how important circumcision is for Judaism.

Verse 6.

He declares he obeyed the law out of zeal for God. He was not a hypocrite. He was sincere in all he did.

Verse 7.

"worthless"- The Greek is an accounting word that means a complete loss. He says it all counts for nothing compared to what Christ has done.

Verse 8.

"Garbage"- Most translations are kind with this word. However, it is a vile word that means trash, manure, and excrement. Paul is saying everything is truly terrible compared to knowing God.

Verse 9.

Paul is saying that all the "greatness" he achieved is now nothing compared to God. He is only saved because of God's grace.

Verse 10-11. Protect Your Joy By Truly Knowing Jesus.

Verse 10.

"Know Christ"- This speaks of truly knowing someone. This is not head knowledge, but a relationship.
"Experience the might power"- Paul is saying he wants to experience the power of God that raised Christ from the dead. He wants to receive all of Christ and consider his old life as dead.
"I want to suffer with Him"- Paul wants all of God. He says he wants both the good and the bad. It is likened to a bride and groom on their wedding day. The vows say "for richer and poor, in sickeness and in health." Paul is saying he wants God in all seasons.

Verse 11.

"So that one way or another"- Paul is saying that he wants to know God, no matter what comes his way. It is a statement of total abandonment to God.

God's Promise: