I Want to Know Christ, Ron Ward
THE SURPASSING GREATNESS OF KNOWING CHRIST
Passage: Philippians 3:1~9  
Key verse: 8
No Confidence in the Flesh
3 Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again,(A) and it is a safeguard for you. 2 Watch out for those dogs,(B) those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. 3 For it is we who are the circumcision,(C) we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus,(D) and who put no confidence in the flesh— 4 though I myself have reasons for such confidence.(E)
If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised(F) on the eighth day, of the people of Israel,(G) of the tribe of Benjamin,(H) a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee;(I) 6 as for zeal,(J) persecuting the church;(K) as for righteousness based on the law,(L) faultless.
7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss(M) for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing(N) Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ(O) 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law,(P) but that which is through faith in[a] Christ—the righteousness(Q) that comes from God on the basis of faith.(R)
Footnotes
- Philippians 3:9 Or through the faithfulness of
Cross references
- Philippians 3:1 : Php 2:18
- Philippians 3:2 : Ps 22:16, 20; Rev 22:15
- Philippians 3:3 : Ro 2:28, 29; Gal 6:15; Col 2:11
- Philippians 3:3 : Ro 15:17; Gal 6:14
- Philippians 3:4 : 2Co 11:21
- Philippians 3:5 : S Lk 1:59
- Philippians 3:5 : 2Co 11:22
- Philippians 3:5 : Ro 11:1
- Philippians 3:5 : Ac 23:6
- Philippians 3:6 : S Ac 21:20
- Philippians 3:6 : S Ac 8:3
- Philippians 3:6 : ver 9; Ro 10:5
- Philippians 3:7 : Mt 13:44; Lk 14:33
- Philippians 3:8 : ver 10; Jer 9:23, 24; Jn 17:3; Eph 4:13; S 2Pe 1:2
- Philippians 3:8 : Ps 73:25
- Philippians 3:9 : ver 6; Ro 10:5
- Philippians 3:9 : Jer 33:16
- Philippians 3:9 : S Ro 9:30
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source:  BibleGateway
1. No confidence in the flesh (1-6)
Paul had every reason to be proud of his human background and achievements (4-6), but these things did not bring him joy. He gloried in Jesus only. He calls those who taught that circumcision was necessary to salvation, 'dogs.' It was because they put confidence in the flesh--in religious ritual and in human achievement rather than in Jesus' saving work on the cross.
2. To gain Christ (7-9)
Knowing Christ Jesus surpasses everything else in greatness. It is worth losing everything to know Jesus. In order to obey Jesus' command to preach the gospel to the Gentile world, Paul became an outcast from his own people. He even went to prison. But he had no regrets. He had the most precious thing: He had Jesus, and a right relationship with God through him.
Prayer: Lord, I know that material possessions and human achievements are rubbish compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. Renew my joy in him daily.
One Word: Rejoice in Christ alone