Philippians 3:8
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More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Yea doubtless--The oldest manuscripts omit "doubtless" (Greek, "ge"): translate, "nay more." Not only "have I counted" those things just mentioned "loss for Christ's sake, but, moreover, I even DO count ALL things but loss," &c. for the excellency--Greek, "On account of the surpassing excellency (the supereminence above them all) of the knowledge of Christ Jesus." my Lord--believing and loving appropriation of Him (Psa 63:1; Joh 20:28). for whom--"on account of whom." I have suffered the loss--not merely I "counted" them "loss," but have actually lost them. all things--The Greek has the article, referring to the preceding "all things"; "I have suffered the loss of them all." dung--Greek, "refuse (such as excrements, dregs, dross) cast to the dogs," as the derivation expresses. A "loss" is of something having value; but "refuse" is thrown away as not worthy of being any more touched or looked at. win--Translate, to accord with the translation, Phi 3:7, "gain Christ." A man cannot make other things his "gain" or chief confidence, and at the same time "gain Christ." He who loses all things, and even himself, on account of Christ, gains Christ: Christ is His, and He is Christ's (Sol 2:16; Sol 6:3; Luk 9:23-24; Co1 3:23).
Open source ↗He cautions them against judaizing seducers (Phi 3:1-3) and proposes his own example: and here he enumerates the privileges of his Jewish state which he rejected (Phi 3:4-8), describes the matter of his own choice (Phi 3:9-16), and closes with an exhortation to beware of wicked men, and to follow his example (Phi 3:17-21).
Open source ↗Cross-references
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I consider that our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us.
But I consider my life of no value to me, if only I may finish my course and complete the ministry I have received from the Lord Jesus—the ministry of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
But whatever was gain to me I count as loss for the sake of Christ.
Now this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.
I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to Him in His death,
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.
For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true—in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.
For I have given them the words You gave Me, and they have received them. They knew with certainty that I came from You, and they believed that You sent Me.
On that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I am in you.