For we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh. Philippians 3:3
Paul proclaimed with personal conviction that all in his life was considered a loss compared to the gain of knowing Jesus (Philippians 3:7-8). “The trophies of personal gain became for Paul relics of loss when Jesus became His Lord.”[1] This testimony of loss and gain denounces any boast of personal advantages or privileges that we may be tempted to promote.
Personal gain laid aside . . .
Paul spoke into a culture (the city of Philippi as a Roman Colony) that relished the privileges of Rome. And he redirected the church in Philippi to consider no privilege except knowing Christ. Referencing his own privileges of Judaism that were once his boast, Paul denounced all such stated advantages, and looked solely at knowing Jesus Christ. This became his goal.
Captivated by Jesus . . .
As the apostle taught the church to denounce personal advantages for the sake of Christ, he reminded the Philippian Christians of their identity as the true circumcision who worship in the Spirit, who glory in Jesus Christ, and who put no confidence in the flesh (Philippians 3:3). Paul’s conviction to consider all as loss for the sake of Christ was not some general expression of humility, but rather the only suitable response of a heart captivated by Jesus. If we are to truly desire Jesus above all things, and if we are to make “no boast in the flesh”, the only path to this resolve becomes a genuine heart of worship that boasts in Christ alone: “who glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh.” And this boasting is the only suitable response from one who has been circumcised spiritually. For the apostle referenced circumcision not from a ceremonial reality of the flesh, but the spiritual reality of a life made new by Jesus. Colossians 2:11 proclaims that, “In Christ you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self, ruled by the flesh, was put off when you were circumcised by Christ.” This is indeed a wondrous fact that Paul embraced as He declared all things forsaken for the sake of knowing Christ, who has made us brand new.
A personal heart of worship . . .
In Philippians 3:3, the Greek terminology that expresses the idea of “worship” (or in some translations “service”) is, “latreuo”, which Paul used in other places to reference worship in the temple (Romans 9:4). However, when Paul wrote in Romans 12:1, “your spiritual service of worship,” he used a form of the same word to indicate worship that is independent of any physical temple but nonetheless engendered by the Holy Spirit. So, here in the context of Philippians 3, the worship expressed from one who truly desires to know Christ more is guided by God and comes from a life that is renewed and energized by the Holy Spirit. This worship is from the heart and totally unhampered by anything physical.[2] So, as this study of Philippians 3:3 proves, worship is among other expressions very personal and directly related to the heart that is transformed by Jesus and continuously desires to know Him more.
My response . . .
Recommit to a daily personal and private time of worship. Realize the joy of placing yourself before your God who loves you and paid the ultimate price to make you His very own. Silence your life and center your heart on Jesus. Allow your love and gratefulness for His salvation to form words of adoration in your heart and on your tongue. And sit quietly this morning to worship Him.
There is no greater way to know Christ more than through personal worship. Take the time. AND, BE AMAZED!
Blessings,
Ken
[1] David Garland, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary (Grand Rapids: Zondervan’s, 2006) 241.
[2] William Hendriksen, The New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1962), 152.
