Let’s keep it rolling with Phi.3 and verse 1 reads.
Phi.3:1] Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.
He’s saying it is a labor of love to bring to you God’s word.
Phi.3:2] Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.
Dogs is G2965, Kuōn in the Greek and means, 2. metaph. a man of impure mind.
Concision is G2699, katatomē in the Greek and means, 1. to cut up, mutilation.
It should read, “Beware of men of impure minds, evil men, men of the circumcision.”
Phi.3:3] For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
Circumcision is of the heart now, a change of mind. We are of Spirit and not of the flesh. And is for both men and women, remember the only thing that Christ did away with was the blood ordinances.
Phi.3:4] Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
Admitting his sins of the flesh, for which through repentance he has been forgiven.
Phi.3:5] Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
Giving his ancestry though he was born a Roman citizen. Don’t overlook he was a pharisee, he studied at the feet of Gamaliel. One of the best scribe and historian of that time.
Phi.3:6] Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
Given legal tender from the high priest of Jerusalem to go and arrest Christians. Paul was a zealous man for the LORD, and is now zealous for Jesus Christ. He had his eyes opened by the LORD, I believe his eyes were shut for the LORD to begin with.
Phi.3:7] But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
It was for nothing when he compares it to Christ.
Phi.3:8] Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
All done for nought, but in Christ is Salvation.
Phi.3:9] And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
Could not be saved by law, only through faith in Jesus Christ.
Phi.3:10] That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
There are three resurrections, the first when you come to Jesus, it raises you to higher level while in the flesh. The second is at the death of this flesh, we are raised into spirit. The third is at the great white throne judgement, when we are raised into life everlasting.
Phi.3:11] If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
Talking about the second resurrection. Death of the flesh, we did a study on this called “Where are the dead”. Or you can go to 1Thes.4:13-18.
Phi.3:12] Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
Perfect is mature. To be captured by Jesus is an awesome thing, we can all agree on.
Phi.3:13] Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
Let it go and move on, repentance.
Phi.3:14] I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
This word “mark” is G4649, skopos in the Greek and is where we get our word scope from. It means, 1. an observer, a watchman. This should have all of us wanting the Lord to open our eyes that we may be used for the Lord and called. As watchmen this is our calling.
Phi.3:15] Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
That through prayer he might open our eyes.
Phi.3:16] Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
Walk as one in Jesus with his Spirit.
Phi.3:17] Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
Paul is saying walk as he has in the word. Note this word “mark” is different from the last. This is G4648, skopeō in the Greek and means, to look at, observe, contemplate. So, what Paul is saying is to observe those who teach God’s word. and check them out are they are teaching God’s word or from their own evil hearts. In other words, check your teachers.
Phi.3:18] (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
[19] Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
These wicked that are in the world today even from the pulpits, are antichrist. Let’s go to 1John 2:18 and read.
1John 2:18] Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
Also, Jesus warned us of this in Mark 13:5-6 and it reads.
Mark 13:5] And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you:
[6] For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
This is why Paul said to put the scope on them and check them out, are they teaching God’s word or imaginations out of their own hearts. We need especially in these end times to watch watchmen, watch. Back to Phi.3 and verse 20 reads.
Phi.3:20] For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
[21] Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
This is speaking of the first resurrection, while in the flesh we are raised to Christ Jesus. Come to the Lord and He and the Father will come into you, let’s go to his throne.
Father, we thank you for your word and ask that you bless all that love you in Jesus’s precious name, Amen.
KJV along with The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of The Bible