Philippians 3
PNTPhilippians 3:1
Wherefore remember. Remembrance of all that God had done would awake gratitude. Uncircumcision. Gentiles were so called by the Jews, who were the Circumcision. In the flesh made by hands. There was a circumcision not in the flesh, not made with hands, but of the Spirit, and in the heart (Romans 2:28,29).
Philippians 3:2
That at that time ye were without Christ. The past state of the Gentile Christians is described when they had no knowledge of Christ. Being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel. Not being of the race of Abraham, who were in covenant relation with God. Strangers from the covenants of promise. The various covenants made with the patriarchs which contained the promise of Christ, of which they were ignorant, and hence not partakers of the hope. Having no hope. No hope in the promise or in Christ. And without God in the world. Walking without the knowledge of the true God.
Philippians 3:3
Ye who sometimes were far off. Once so far off, separated from God, they have been brought nigh, and the blood of Christ is the means that brought them.
Philippians 3:4
For he is our peace. It is the Crucified Christ that brought you nigh, for he, he only, is our peace. The creator of peace between Jew and Gentile; between alienated man and God. Who hath made both one. Jew and Gentile one. The old distinctions are destroyed. All are on the same footing before God. And hath broken down the middle wall of partition [between us]. Having broken down, or ended, the law of Moses which built up a wall between the Jews and Gentiles.
Philippians 3:5
Having abolished in his flesh the enmity. While he was in the flesh the law condemned him and nailed him to the cross. In so doing it destroyed itself. The old covenant ended at the cross, when the new covenant was dedicated by the blood of Christ. Hence, the law, the wall between Jew and Gentile, “the enmity”, was taken away. To make in himself of two one new man. Thus, the difference between Jew and Gentile being destroyed, both are made in the church one new race, “a royal priesthood, a chosen nation, a peculiar people” (1 Peter 2:9), at peace among themselves.
Philippians 3:6
That he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross. First, the cross makes peace between Jew and Gentile; and second, the blood of the cross cleanses both before God, and makes peace between them and God. Having by it slain the enmity. Not only of Jew for Gentile, but of the sinner for God. When the sinner once fixes his mind on the bleeding Savior, the “goodness of God leads him to repentance” (Romans 2:4).
Philippians 3:7
Preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. The Gentiles were “afar off”; the Jews, “nigh”. To both Christ preached with each other and with God.
Philippians 3:8
We both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. The Spirit of adoption enables both to cry, “Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15 Galatians 4:6). Both pray to one Father; hence, all are brethren.
Philippians 3:9
Therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners. Gentiles have been brought nigh, and are fellowcitizens of the kingdom of God with the saints.
Philippians 3:10
Built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets. They have been built into the temple of the Lord. The word of God, declared by apostles and prophets, is the foundation of their faith, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner [stone]. The corner-stone was a stone of double size at the corner, which became a part of both walls and joined them together. So he had joined the Jews and Gentiles in the building. He is the foundation-stone on which the building rests, and the stone of union. Compare Isaiah 28:16 Matthew 21:42 Acts 4:11 1 Peter 2:7.
Philippians 3:11
In whom. In Christ himself. All the building fitly framed together. The several parts, or buildings, are united in him, so as to form one holy temple in the Lord. That is, all races, Jews and Gentiles, are compacted in one church.
Philippians 3:12
In whom ye also. The Ephesian Christians. Are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. The Shekinah descended and dwelt in the tabernacle between the cherubim (Exodus 25:22); but God, by means of the Spirit, dwells in the spiritual temple, in the hearts of believers. This temple is composed of living stones, has a holy priesthood, and spiritual sacrifices (1 Peter 2:5).
Philippians 3:14
Paul’s Office As Apostle to the Gentiles SUMMARY OF EPHESIANS 3: The Hidden Mystery Revealed to the Apostle. The Gentiles to Be Fellow-Heirs. Paul’s Mission to the Gentiles. The Prayer in Behalf of Gentile Christians. That They May Know the Surpassing Love of Christ. For this cause. This refers to the glorious work of the cross in “making peace and bringing the Gentiles nigh” (Ephesians 2:17). I, Paul. The verb of which “I, Paul”, is the subject, is not given until Ephesians 3:14 is reached. There Paul repeats the first clause of this verse, and then gives the verb. The intervening verses are parenthetic. The prisoner of Jesus Christ. A prisoner at Rome when this was written, on account of the gospel of Jesus Christ. For you Gentiles. It was the hatred of the Jews towards him, on account of his apostleship to the Gentiles, which caused his seizure. See Acts 21:33 28:17,20.
Philippians 3:15
If ye have heard. This is not designed to express doubt, but to remind them that they had heard of the dispensation, or office, that had been given him in reference to the Gentiles. See Acts 22:21.
Philippians 3:16
How that by revelation he made known unto me. See Galatians 1:12. The mystery. This mystery was revealed by God to him. A mystery is a truth, or fact, or purpose, which is hidden until it is revealed. This mystery is declared in Ephesians 3:6. As I wrote afore in few words. In Ephesians 1:9 2:11-13.
Philippians 3:17
Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ. When they read what he wrote above (before), and what he writes now, they can perceive his knowledge of this mystery.
Philippians 3:18
Which. The mystery. In other ages was not made known unto the sons of men. It was in past ages hidden from men, but now revealed by the Spirit to apostles and prophets. Not the old Hebrew prophets, but the prophets in the church. Some of the Hebrew prophets might have had a glimpse of Gentile salvation, but they did not understand their own language as well as we do in the light of the gospel.
Philippians 3:19
That. The mystery long hidden, but at last revealed, is now given. The Gentiles should be fellow-heirs. The wall of partition broken down, Jews and Gentiles equally received, heirs alike of the gospel, “fellow-members” of the church, “fellow-partakers” of the gospel promises. Compare Acts 10:34 11:18 13:46-48.
Philippians 3:20
Whereof I was made a minister. A minister to make known this mystery; God’s gracious purpose to the Gentiles. According to the gift of the grace of God. The apostolic office with all the accompanying signs of apostleship.
Philippians 3:21
Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints. A mighty trust granted to one so unworthy as he deems himself. He was ever humbled by remembering that he had been a persecutor. See 1 Corinthians 15:9 Philippians 3:6. Compare 1 Timothy 1:13 This grace, so glorious and so full of blessedness to the world, was the apostleship to the Gentiles. See Galatians 2:7,8.