1 - 6 Paul begins his concluding remarks by warning against legalistic teaching. He states that Christians are the circumicision, or the outward sign of God's covenant with his people. "We . . . do not put our confidence in flesh."
7 - 21 Righteousness from God: "Whatever gains I had, these I have come to consider a loss because of Christ." Paul warns against putting store in earthly goals. Paul looks forward in Christ - "the prize of God's upward calling, in Christ Jesus." Paul invites the Philippians to imitate him, not the enemies of the cross of Christ (materialists). My favorite description: "Their God is their stomach; their glory in their "shame." Remember: "Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we also await a savior, Lord Jesus Christ. He will change our lowly body to conform with his glorified body . . . "
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Today I'm using "The Message" again and "Matthew Henry's Commentary" both in the "Quick Verse" software.
2 "Steer clear of the barking dogs, those religious busybodies, all bark and no bite - knife-happy circumcisers.
All these people do is distract from our goal. They also just want to "appear" to be faithful; say and do the right things but with no heart and spirit.
Paul also tells them that he's repeating himself from other letters but he doesn't mind and it's always good to be reminded of good things.
7-10 Everything of physical earth and life is worthless. His possessions he had amasses and his knowledge and reputation he had built were worthless. Spirit and knowledge of the Lord are the only valuable things as they yield life eternal.
One major idea that non-believers have to "get around" is heaven and eternal life. The Holy Spirit has to work in a heart to get someone to believe and hope for this, really first. Then there's how to get there and achieve it which is accepting Christ's death as payment for our sin. BUT, without a clear goal and purpose and realizing that there's something unseen which is the desired goal a person has no reason to change from a materialistic, realistic, earth-bound person.
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