Editing Epistle to the Philippians (section)

===Paul's re-evaluation of values through Christ (3:1–11)===
Paul tells his own story and says how he "emptied himself" for Christ's sake and how his ultimate goal was now to follow the "upward call of God" (verse 14) to the end. Paul describes how his [[Personal value system|values]] had changed since becoming a follower of Christ. [[Jesuit]] theologian [[Robert Murray (priest)|Robert Murray]] describes this process as a "transvaluation of values", using a [[Transvaluation of values|phrase]] adopted from the [[Philosophy of Friedrich Nietzsche|philosophy]] of [[Friedrich Nietzsche]].{{sfn|Murray|2007|p=1187}}

Verse 3 is translated:
: ''For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh,''<ref>{{bibleverse|Philippians|3:3|NKJV}} [[New King James Version|NKJV]]</ref>
*"Worship": from Greek word {{lang|grc|λατρεία}}, {{Strong-number|''latreia''|G|3000}}, which is 'used specially of the Jewish ceremonial service' (cf. {{bibleverse|Romans|9:4|9}}; {{bibleverse|Luke|2:37|9}}; {{bibleverse|Acts|26:7|9}}).<ref name=pulpit>Exell, Joseph S.; [[Donald Spence Jones|Spence-Jones, Henry Donald Maurice]] (Editors). [http://biblehub.com/commentaries/pulpit/philippians/3.htm  On "Philippians 3".] In: ''The [[Pulpit Commentary]]''. 23 volumes. First publication: 1890. Accessed 24 April 2019.</ref>

Verse 3:5 is translated:
: ''circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee;''<ref>{{bibleverse|Philippians|3:5|NKJV}} NKJV</ref>
*"[[Circumcision|Circumcised]] the eight day": according to {{bibleverse|Genesis|17:12|9}} (cf. [[Luke 2:21]] [[Circumcision of Jesus|of Jesus]]), so Paul became "a member of the covenant from infancy".<ref name="cambridgebible_ph3">[[Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges]]. [http://biblehub.com/commentaries/cambridge/philippians/3.htm Philippians 3]. Accessed 28 April 2019.</ref>
*"[[Tribe of Benjamin]]": Paul also stated his tribe in {{bibleverse|Romans|11:1|9}}.<ref name="cambridgebible_ph3" />

Verse 3:8 is translated:
: ''Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ''<ref>{{bibleverse|Philippians|3:8|NKJV}} NKJV</ref>

*"I count all things loss": in comparison to knowing Christ, anything else falls short.<ref name="gill_Php3_8"/>
*"The excellence of the [[knowledge of Christ]] [[Jesus]]": is not meant subjectively about the knowledge "in Christ" or "about Christ" (as God or as man), but objectively, knowing him in person, as God of all, mainly as "Savior and Redeemer", as Paul emphasizes using the words, "my Lord".<ref name="gill_Php3_8"/> The knowledge is attained, not by natural enlightenment, nor by reasoning, nor by the law of Moses, but by the Gospel of the grace of God.<ref name="gill_Php3_8"/> The efficient cause of this knowledge is God the Father, the Son, and the Spirit; the Father reveals Christ to his followers; the Son gives them an understanding to know him; and the Spirit gives wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him.<ref name="gill_Php3_8"/> This spiritual knowledge of Christ is more excellent than a knowledge of Christ as human, as the knowledge of Christ from the Gospel is also more excellent than that of the legal dispensation, by promises, prophecies, and the ceremonial law.<ref name="gill_Php3_8"/>
* "For whom I have suffered the loss of all things": Paul dropped all confidence in his bodily privileges, civil, ceremonial, and moral righteousness, for Christ and his righteousness; losing his own good name and reputation among men, suffering many kinds of persecutions, losing the comforts of life, often in cold or nakedness, in hunger or thirst, even being ready to lose his own life for professing and preaching Christ.<ref name="gill_Php3_8"/>
*"Count them as rubbish" (KJV: "dung"): or "dog's meat" ({{bibleverse|Philippians|3:2|KJV}}), what is only fit for dogs; that is, Paul treats as "worthless" his pedigree, religion sect, and moral righteousness before and after conversion; and everything material that he owns, same as what the early church held, considering its own righteousness as "filthy rags".<ref name="gill_Php3_8"/>
*"That I may gain Christ": not just get "an interest in him", as this he knew he had already, and should never lose it, for it commenced from all eternity and cannot be obtained by good works, nor repentance, nor faith, but is freely given.<ref name="gill_Php3_8"/> Paul wishes that he might gain a larger knowledge of Christ, without care what pains he took, what expenses he was at, nor what loss he sustained or already suffered for what he regards precious, even willing to lose more, for more of this knowledge (cf. {{bibleverse|Philippians|3:10|KJV}}), because then he gains more with Christ as a "justifying righteousness": acceptance with God, pardon, life, peace, grace, and glory.<ref name="gill_Php3_8">[http://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/gills-exposition-of-the-bible/philippians-3-8.html ''John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible'', - Philippians 3:8]</ref>