Reading Philippians 3:17-21: Paul’s Summation of 1:27-3:16
Philippians 3:17-21 serves to summarize 2:1-3:16 with a chiastic arrangement to remind the Philippians of his three examples.
3: 17a Be imitators of me (cf. 3:1-16)
Lessons from 3:1-16
1) Prioritizing our relationship with Jesus the Messiah as ultimate value/source of ultimate wealth (3:7-11) vs. a life based on confidence in our flesh (3:1-6). Give God our main thing so that it can become His thing.
2) Pursuing Christ diligently in the present (3:12-14) vs. Focus on the past.
3) Confidence that God honors this sort of life by uniting the community around the pursuit of Christ.
3:17b Observe those who walk/live according to our example (cf. 2:19-30)
Lessons from 2:19-30
1) Genuinely care for others (2:20).
2) Focus on the affairs of Jesus Christ vs. Self-focus (2:21)
3) Served for the Gospel (2:22)
4) Willing to serve to the point of death (2:27)
3:20-21 Citizens of heaven/Savior/Lord Jesus Christ (cf. 1:27-2:18)
Lessons from 2:1-18
1) Non-exploitation of status/rights/privileges (2:6)
2) Willingness to embrace servant/slave status for the sake of the Gospel (2:7)
3) Extent of obedience = willingness to die the death of a slave on the cross (2:8)
Bottom Line teaching: The status we embrace establishes the limits of our capacity to reach others with the Gospel.
© 2009 Brian D. Russell