In Philippians 3:8, the apostle Paul makes a profound statement: “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.” This verse provides great insight into Paul’s perspective on the value of knowing Christ above all else. To properly understand this verse, it is important to examine the context and background leading up to this bold declaration by Paul.
The Background and Context of Philippians 3
The letter to the Philippians was written by Paul around A.D. 60-62 while he was imprisoned in Rome (Philippians 1:7, 13). The church at Philippi was one of Paul’s favorites, having supported him financially on more than one occasion (Philippians 4:15-16). This epistle is known as one of Paul’s “prison epistles,” along with Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon. The major theme of Philippians is joy and encouragement in the face of adversity. Paul wanted to thank the Philippians for their support and update them on how God was using his imprisonment to actually advance the Gospel (Philippians 1:12-14).
In chapter 3, Paul specifically warns the Philippians about the dangers of legalistic false teachers who were promoting the necessity of circumcision and perfect adherence to the Mosaic Law for salvation. Paul had dedicated his life to countering these dangerous teachings in Galatia and elsewhere, refusing to give into those who wanted to add human works as requirements for justification before God. These false teachers placed their confidence in the flesh – meaning circumcision, heritage, deeds under the law, etc. Paul sets up a contrast – whereas the false teachers trust in the flesh and the law for their righteousness, Paul counts all his own fleshly credentials and merits as utterly worthless compared to the surpassing value of knowing Jesus Christ as Lord by faith.
Paul’s Background and Pedigree
In Philippians 3:4-6, Paul reviews his religious resume and heritage prior to meeting Christ on the road to Damascus. Paul was born into a devout Jewish family from the tribe of Benjamin (Philippians 3:5). He was circumcised on the 8th day according to the law of Moses. Paul was a Hebrew of Hebrews, meaning he maintained his Hebrew language, customs, and reverence for the traditions of the elders. Concerning his zeal for the law, Paul was a Pharisee who vigorously defended the purity and precepts of Judaism. In terms of righteousness under the law, Paul considered himself blameless, adhering to every ritual, sacrifice, and commandment with meticulous detail (Philippians 3:6).
By human standards, Paul had everything going for him. He was a rising star and likely would have become a top rabbi and leader in Israel. From all outward appearances, Paul was the ideal Hebrew – circumcised, ethnically pure, ritualistically devout, steeped in the Torah, and zealous for the customs of his ancestors. If anyone could have confidence in the flesh, it was the apostle Paul.
The Surpassing Value of Knowing Christ (Philippians 3:7-8)
Yet in verse 7, Paul declares that whatever gain he had in his impeccable Jewish credentials, he now considers loss for the sake of Christ. Why this dramatic shift in Paul’s thinking? At one time, Paul took great pride in his own self-achieved righteousness under the law. But after his dramatic conversion, Paul realized all his religious achievements were like rubbish or dung compared to the infinite worth of knowing Jesus Christ personally as Lord and Savior (Philippians 3:8).
The Greek word Paul uses that is translated “loss” is zemia. It refers to forfeiture or detriment – something sacrificed or given up for something better. Though Paul’s heritage and zeal for the law gained him much in the way of prestige and self-righteousness, he came to regard it all as detriment and forfeiture when compared with the excellence of having an intimate relationship with the risen Christ. In Christ, Paul gained what his religion and best efforts could never achieve – forgiveness, righteousness, peace with God, and eternal life.
The word “rubbish” is the Greek word skybalon, which refers to excrement or dung. Paul uses shockingly graphic language to describe his former confidence in the flesh – all his legalistic religious efforts now looked to him like manure compared to knowing Christ Jesus. Theologian John Stott comments, “The vulgarity of the expression (‘dung’) emphasizes the vehemence of Paul’s rejection.” Paul is unambiguous – a perfect record under the law means nothing if you do not know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
Why Paul Considered Everything Loss Compared to Christ
Why did Paul come to consider everything from his background and religious achievements as worthless compared to knowing Christ? Several key reasons help explain Paul’s perspective in Philippians 3:7-8:
- Righteousness is not earned by human efforts – Paul realized that no amount of ritual observance, circumcision, ancestry, or adherence to the law could make someone righteous before God. Righteousness is a gift received by faith in what Christ accomplished through His sinless life and atoning death and resurrection (Romans 3:21-26; Ephesians 2:8-9).
- Christ is the fulfillment of the law – Paul understood that the Old Testament law pointed ahead to and found its fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:17; Romans 10:4; Galatians 3:23-25). Trying to earn salvation by the law apart from faith in Christ is futile.
- Knowing Christ is personal and living – Religion had been impersonal obedience for Paul, but Christianity meant having a vital relationship with the living Lord Jesus.
- Knowing Christ brings true righteousness – All of Paul’s religious credentials left his conscience guilty and defiled. But Christ’s sacrifice brought true cleansing of conscience and a righteousness that is by faith (Philippians 3:9).
- Everything else pales in comparison to Christ – Even good things like heritage, education, career, achievement, etc. are all rubbish next to the matchless glory and worth of knowing Christ Jesus as Lord.
Charles Spurgeon said of Philippians 3:8 – “Paul was a great gainer when he lost all his own righteousness, and counted it but dung, that he might win Christ. When he suffered the loss of all things, he found everything in Christ.” For Paul, to be “in Christ” by faith was gain enough – everything else impoverished him spiritually by comparison.
The Surpassing Worth of Knowing Christ
What specifically convinced Paul that knowing Christ was of surpassing worth compared to trusting in his own works and righteousness under the law? Several aspects of having a relationship with Christ Jesus caused Paul to regard everything else as loss:
- Knowing Christ brings forgiveness and justification – Sin severed Paul’s relationship with God, but in Christ Paul gained forgiveness of sins and removal of guilt (Ephesians 1:7). By faith in Christ, Paul was declared righteous before God (Romans 5:1). This justified standing could not be earned by works.
- Knowing Christ brings adoption and spiritual life – As an unbeliever, Paul was spiritually dead and separated from God’s family. In Christ, Paul gained new spiritual life as an adopted child of God (Galatians 4:4-7).
- Knowing Christ brings the indwelling Holy Spirit – Every believer receives the Holy Spirit, but Paul had only an external righteousness under the law. The Spirit produces spiritual fruit and gifts for ministry (Galatians 5:22-23; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11).
- Knowing Christ brings knowledge of God’s will – The law was an external code, but the Spirit reveals God’s moral will internally (Ezekiel 36:26-27). The believer can know the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16).
- Knowing Christ brings intimacy with God – Paul had a religion but not a relationship. In Christ, believers come to know God in close fellowship and communion.
- Knowing Christ brings eternal riches – Everything of this world gets left behind, but Paul gained a heavenly inheritance in Christ that can never perish (Ephesians 1:11; 1 Peter 1:3-5).
Charles Spurgeon said of gaining Christ: “First, it is good for the present life, for he that hath Christ hath life, and hath it more abundantly. It is also good for the future, for ‘to depart and to be with Christ is far better.’ Gain Christ, and you have gained peace, purity, hope, joy on earth, and an eternity of bliss in heaven.” For Paul, all other pursuits were a dead-end. Only in Christ did he find life, hope, and spiritual riches that would last forever.
The Results of Paul Counting All Things Loss for Christ (Philippians 3:8b-9)
What were the results in Paul’s life when he regarded everything from his background as loss compared to the excellency of knowing Christ Jesus? Philippians 3:8b-9 describes two major results:
- Paul suffered the loss of all things – In order to gain Christ, Paul had to let go of trust in his pedigree, achievements, and merits under the law. This meant huge sacrifice, but Paul gladly released everything from his past to lay hold of Christ alone.
- Paul gained the righteousness of Christ by faith – Paul stopped trying to earn righteousness through religious efforts and instead received Christ’s perfect righteousness as a gift through trusting in what Jesus accomplished (2 Corinthians 5:21).
John Piper comments on these two results – “He suffered the loss of all things in order to gain Christ. That is, he lost all things that he might gain the righteousness of God in Christ. Now that God has taken all his sins and given him the righteousness of Christ, he is far richer than if he kept all his religious achievements and did not depend on Christ alone.”
While painful and humbling to Paul’s pride, counting everything loss to gain Christ resulted in becoming a new creation with a righteousness that could never be earned under the law. Paul embraced God’s way of justification by faith in order to know Christ and have eternal life in Him.
Paul’s Supreme Goal – To Gain Christ
In Philippians 3:8, Paul reveals his all-consuming spiritual ambition – “that I may gain Christ.” This was not just a one-time conversion experience, but Paul’s ongoing quest to lay hold of all the spiritual blessings and riches that are his in Christ (Ephesians 1:3; Colossians 2:9-10). To gain Christ means to continually grow in understanding what has already been given in salvation. Paul longed to make the endless spiritual wealth in Christ his own by daily faith and obedience through the Spirit’s power.
John Piper comments on Paul’s supreme goal: “Paul’s passion was not to have a successful ministry. His passion was not to vindicate himself. His passion was to know Christ and be found in him. What is your passion, your all-consuming desire? Are you banking on your righteousness? Or are you banking on his righteousness?” Knowing Christ intimately motivated and satisfied Paul more than anything this world could offer.
Application and Summary
So in summary, Philippians 3:7-8 provides a picture of Paul’s dramatic transformation from self-righteous religious achiever to broken, humble follower of Jesus Christ. By God’s grace, Paul came to regard his most valued assets – his Jewish heritage, zeal, and blameless law-keeping – as worthless compared to the infinite riches that come from knowing Christ by faith. All human credentials and religious efforts are rubbish next to gaining Christ’s perfect righteousness.
This passage challenges believers today to evaluate what we are trusting in for acceptance with God and spiritual growth. Even good things like knowledge, reputation, ministry success, spiritual gifts, etc. can become substitutes for relying wholly on Christ if we elevate them above Him. Like Paul, we must follow Christ with undivided devotion, regarding everything from this world as loss compared to the “surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:8).