S – If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: ⁵ circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; ⁶ as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. ⁷ But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ

Philippians 3:4–7 ESV

O – Commentary:

Seven advantages listed in Philippians 3:5–6 demonstrate what Paul used to have in the flesh but what he later counted as loss for Christ. Two kinds of advantages are enumerated. First are those things which the apostle had by birth, apart from his choice. Four of these are listed—circumcision, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, and a Hebrew son of Hebrew parents. Next he named those privileges which he voluntarily chose—being a Pharisee, being a persecutor of the church, and having a flawless external record of legalistic righteousness.

Circumcision was named first probably because it was a big issue with the Judaizers. Paul’s specific time, the eighth day, stressed that he was not a proselyte or an Ishmaelite but a pure-blooded Jew. Proselytes were circumcised later in life and Ishmaelites after age 13 (cf. Gen. 17:25–26).

Paul was of the people of Israel, which describes his heritage. His parents were both true Jews, unlike some of the Judaizers. He could trace his family lineage all the way back to Abraham. He was a true member of the covenant people (cf. 2 Cor. 11:22).

He was also a Benjamite, from which tribe came Israel’s first king (1 Sam. 9:1–2). This tribe had a special place of honor and was viewed with great esteem. Even after the kingdom was disrupted the tribe of Benjamin remained loyal to the house of David.

Hebrew was Paul’s native tongue. Unlike some of the Israelites, he did not adopt Greek customs. He knew thoroughly both the language and customs of the people of God. He was a Hebrew son of Hebrew parents.

In regard to the Law, Paul was a Pharisee, a member of the strictest sect among his people. In addition to the Law of Moses the Pharisees added their own regulations which in time were interpreted as equal to the Law.

What greater zeal for the Jewish religion could anyone boast of than that he persecuted the church? Paul did this relentlessly before his conversion to Christ (Acts 9:1–2). No Judaizer could match such zeal.

In “legalistic righteousness” Paul also excelled. In fact in his own eyes he was faultless (amemptos; the same word is used in Phil. 2:15 where it is rendered “blameless”).

3:7–9. Any of those who troubled the saints at Philippi would have loved to have been able to list to his credit those things Paul did. On the human side these were reasons to have religious self-confidence. But all those things enumerated in verses 5–6 the apostle considered loss for the sake of Christ 

 Robert P. Lightner, “Philippians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 659–660.

A – Super long commentary because Paul’s “spiritual resume” was exceeded most religious leaders in Israel.  Simple application – It doesn’t matter your personal or spiritual resume – neither of them stand up to your relationship with Christ.  The standard that we will be judged by is do we accept who God is and put him in the place of Lord and Savior in our lives.  

R – Heavenly Father, you are the only God and Savior with Supreme Lordship over all.  We lay our “resumes” down at your feet and bow our knees to the one, true God in our lives.  Empower us in to not only acknowledge and accept you, but to also live a life that honors you and brings glory to your name today.

S – Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. ⁴ Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 

Philippians 2:3,4ESV

O – Commentary:

Nothing was to be done out of selfish ambition (v. 3). The same word (eritheian) appears in 1:17 to describe the attitude of those who opposed Paul. Without question such behavior is of the flesh and not the Spirit (cf. Gal. 5:20, which uses the same word). Vain conceit, meaning “empty glory,” was probably the root cause of their selfish ambition.

The two negatives are followed by a positive exhortation: in humility consider others better than yourselves. But, a word of contrast, introduces these words. Humility before God and man is a virtue every child of God needs to strive for. A spirit of pride in human relations indicates a lack of humility before God. Paul exhorted the Philippians to consider others before themselves (cf. 1 Peter 5:5–6). “This will go far toward removing disharmony” (Homer A. Kent, Jr., “Philippians,” in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, 11: 122).

Paul explained how humility can be expressed (Phil. 2:4). Instead of concentrating on self, each believer should be concerned for the interests of others in the household of faith (cf. Rom. 12:10). Preoccupation with oneself is sin.

 Robert P. Lightner, “Philippians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 653.

A – It is not about you.  It is about learning to live in strong confidence in God and the gifting He has given you.  With that foundation rooted in God, we can walk in humility because we know our source and we steward all that He has given us. This allows us to value others enough to serve them and be aware of their needs.

R – Heavenly Father, you are our Rock and Foundation.  Thank you for bestowing upon us many gifts and your presence.  Help us to steward them at the highest level today.  Empower us to serve others from a heart of humility as we value and honor them.

S – ²¹ For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Philippians 1: 21

O –  Commentary:

Paul’s main purpose in living was to glorify Christ. Christ was the essence of his life. Yet Paul knew that if he were martyred, Christ would be glorified through the promotion of the gospel which would result from his testimony in death. And Paul himself would benefit, for death would result in his being with Christ (v. 23). The words to die suggest the act of dying, not the state of death.

Robert P. Lightner, “Philippians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 651–652.

A – Death and life hold so much.  Death eliminates all the distractions of this world and brings believers into the presence of God.  Life allows us to enjoy all the wonderful things that life offers and still grow in our relationship with God.  In our lifetime, we get to share the gospel and help them make a decision for Christ.  We can approach both with excitement knowing that God is with us in each.

R- Heavenly Father, you are the Lord of All.  You hold life and death equally.  In both, we have the opportunity to be with you.  When we eliminate the fear of life and death, it becomes gains all the power and peace in our relationship with you.

S – ¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. ¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places

Ephesians 6:10–12 ESV

O – We need to be strong in the Lord and we are strengthened by God’s actual power.  Like a soldier, we need to “kit up” and recognize we are in a spiritual battle.  Our enemy is not human – it is the devil and his minions who live in the spiritual realm.

A – When we recognize that we live in the physical realm and the spiritual one, it is dynamic shift.  We still interact with others and situations in our lives because that is where life is lived.  But, knowing that there are spiritual forces at play allows us to see the “who” and “why” behind life’s intersections.  This tends to bring fear in some people.  A believer doesn’t need to fear.  Jesus won the victory when he resurrected from the tomb and gives us dominion and victory over any force that would come against him.  We start the battle knowing we have already won.

R – Heavenly Father, you are the victor.  Life is challenging and the battle can be tough.  Embolden us today to pick up our armor and fight the battles before us.  We are grateful that you give us the ability to fight and stand against the attack of the enemy.  Finally, help us to fight from a place of victory that you already guaranteed on the cross.

S – for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light ⁹ (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), ¹⁰ and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.

Ephesians 5:8–10 ESV

O / A – The imagery is straight forward.  Before a relationship with God, you were filled with your own human nature that revolved around you. In accepting Christ, you exchanged the darkness and self focus for a Christ focus and the revelation of knowing him.  We need to walk this out by spending time getting to know Him more.  The darkness will try to find cracks in that relationship to find places to attach.  We must be vigilant to find those areas and eliminate the darkness once and for all.

R – Heavenly Father, you are Light.  We are grateful for our transformation from darkness to light.  This is made possible by the death of Jesus on the cross.  Empower us today to see any areas of darkness that are attaching themselves to us.  We want to walk in pure light today.

S – Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. ²⁶ Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, ²⁷ and give no opportunity to the devil

Ephesians 4:25–27 ESV

O – Commentary:

Having put away falsehood, believers are to tell the truth (cf. v. 15). Truth is conforming one’s words to reality. The reason for this exhortation is that believers are all members of one another in Christ’s body, the church (cf. vv. 4, 16).

4:26–27. While believers may at times be legitimately angry (with righteous anger against sin; cf. John 2:13–16), they are not to sin. The way to prevent such sin is to “keep short accounts,” dealing with the anger before the sun goes down. The reason is that the devil would like to intensify a Christian’s righteous anger against sin, causing it to become sin itself. This then gives the devil a foothold (lit., “a place”), an opportunity for leading that Christian into further sin. Then anger begins to control the believer rather than the believer controlling his anger.

 Harold W. Hoehner, “Ephesians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 637.

A – Two strong principles.  We demonstrate love for one another when we share truthfully with the other person.  We can say hard things that challenge while maintaining the value and respect for the person.  We can be angry without sinning.  When the anger becomes more of the issue than the thing that causes the anger, it is a problem.  When it stays longer than resolving the issue that is a problem.  These two items can bring such unity to the body of Christ if they are healthy in our walk with God and others.

R – Heavenly Father, you are Truth and grace.  Thank you for emulating truth and grace to us.  Empower us to grow in both areas.  We want to be a catalyst for continued relationship that is honest, truthful and authentic in a way that reflects your heart and love for others.  Grow our ability to resolve conflict without remaining angry.  Lead us in these things today.

S – …that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, ¹⁸ may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, ¹⁹ and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 

Ephesians 3:16–19 ESV

O – Commentary:

3:17 Having Christ … make his home in your hearts is the source of spiritual power for life and ministry (see John 14:16–17, 23; 15:4–5; Gal 2:20).

3:18 how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is: Christ’s love is great in every dimension (cp. Rom 8:38–39).

3:19 May you experience (literally know) the love of Christ: The whole Christian life is based on the experience and personal knowledge of God’s grace and love in Jesus Christ (see Rom 12:1). • it is too great to understand fully: Christ’s love is much greater than ordinary human love (see Rom 5:6–8). • The believer’s life is made complete when it is filled with all the fullness of life and power by the presence of Christ within (see 1:23; Gal 2:20; Col 1:27). The believer then is conformed to his image and reflects God 

 New Living Translation Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2008), Eph 3:17–19.

A – Three great aspects of our relationship with God:  Power through the Holy Spirit, Christ dwells in our hearts, God’s love is beyond comprehension.  Each of these are foundational in our relationship with God.  Each give us a different view of God and expands as we grow in our relationship with all three.

R – Heavenly Father, we worship and surrender to you.  Thank you for a day to grow in our love, faith and hope in you.  We invite all of these foundational parts of our relationship with you to grow and flourish.  

S – For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not a result of works, so that no one may boast

Ephesians 2:8–9 ESV

O – Commentary:

This is a concise summary of how a person is saved. It is a cardinal tenet of the Good News that people are made righteous through trust in Christ rather than through their own merit (see Rom 1:16–17; 3:24–25; Gal 2:16; cp. John 3:16, 36). Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done (see Rom 3:21–4:8; 9:16; Gal 3:2–10; 5:1–6; cp. 2 Tim 1:9; Titus 3:5). Salvation is for those who trust Christ alone to save them. As a result, none of us can boast about it (cp. Rom 3:27; 4:2; 1 Cor 1:30–31; Gal 6:14).

 New Living Translation Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2008), Eph 2:8–9.

A – Powerful verse and principle.  It is humbling to see how much God did to allow us to have a relationship with him.  Even in our worst, God is ready to move toward us.  Even in relationship, we can elevate ourselves and what we have done.  He is patient and long suffering.  His grace is amazing towards us.

R – Heavenly Father, you are gracious, merciful and long suffering.  Thank you for all loving and forgiving us  even in our worst.  Your grace and mercy allows us to build a real, authentic relationship with you.  Today, we choose to follow you in humility and obedience.

S – I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, ¹⁷ that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him

Ephesians 1:16–17 ESV

O – Commentary:

The content of Paul’s request is that God may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation. Though the NIV translators interpret “Spirit” (pneuma) as referring to the Holy Spirit, it is better to see it as disposition or attitude because of the two genitives following it (“of wisdom and [of] revelation”; cf. “a gentle spirit” in 1 Cor. 4:21). On the other hand one cannot obtain a spirit or attitude of wisdom and revelation apart from the Holy Spirit. As Isaiah wrote, “The Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him [Messiah]—the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord” (Isa. 11:2). “Wisdom” (sophia; cf. Eph. 1:8; 3:10) gives insight into the true nature of things, and “revelation” is the unveiling of the object discussed, namely, God Himself. The purpose in having this wisdom and revelation is that you may know Him, God, better. The Greek is the phrase, “in knowing of Him.” This knowing (epignōsei) refers not to abstract knowledge of God or objective facts about Him, but knowing Him personally and intimately (cf. “knowledge,” epignōseōs, in 4:13). It includes an intimate awareness of God’s character and will.

 Harold W. Hoehner, “Ephesians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 620.

A – The Holy Spirit is abides in us and seals our relationship with God when at salvation.  One of part of his qualities is Wisdom.  He enables us to understand in an intimate way.  We need to invite the Holy Spirit to work in us daily so we can continue to grow intimately closer to God.

R – Heavenly Father, you are Holy.  We invite the Holy Spirit to work in our lives today to draw us into a more intimate relationship with you.  Give us wisdom and revelation of who you are and your character.  Then, empower us to emulate that in our own lives.

S – Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. ³ For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. ⁴ But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor

Galatians 6:2–4.

O – Commentary:

“Bear burdens” in this context must include helping a fellow Christian deal with sins (6:1). Many take “law of Christ” as referring to a saying of Jesus; others argue that in the context of Galatians it more likely refers to his example and the character of Jesus imparted by the Spirit (2:20; 5:14).

6:3. Philosophers also warned about the ignorant thinking themselves to be someone when they were nothing

 Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, Second Edition (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic: An Imprint of InterVarsity Press, 2014), 539.

A – It is dangerous to think we are something, when we are actually not that.  Arrogance and pride will keep us from seeing our true selves.  Then, it will then disrupt our ability to see others clearly. Both attitudes protect and urge us to keep the things in our lives that bring distance from God and others.  We need to examine ourselves soberly and surrender all of it to God.

R- Heavenly Father, we surrender to you today.  Examine our hearts, attitudes and motives today.  If there are things that are protecting areas of our lives that need to be given to you, expose them to us.  We want to eliminate anything that would hinder our relationship with you today.