But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.⁸ Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ ⁹ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— ¹⁰ that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, ¹¹ that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.¹² Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. ¹³ Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.¹⁶ Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

1) What had Paul gained that he is so willingly counted as loss?
In the verses preceding this passage, Paul explains his life and all that he has accomplished. He is making the case that if there were ever someone who could have confidence in their accomplishments, it would be him. In that argument, he wants the reader to know it doesn’t matter what he has accomplished in his life, if he is separated from Christ it means nothing.

2) What message is Paul hoping that the Philippians receive from this passage?
Paul had every reason to boast due to his status and position. He had every reason for others to look at him as being well accomplished. The message he gives the Philippians in this passage is clear that nothing matters if Christ is not consuming his life. He wants them to understand the greatness and power that comes from trusting in Jesus. He desires for the readers of this letter to fully grasp the passion with which they pursue the gospel and lay aside worldly standards that are meaningless.

3) What does Paul mean by “press on” in v.12?
Paul states that he “press(es) on to make it his own”. The word press in that sentence means to seek after eagerly, earnestly endeavor to acquire. As he lives his life, he seeks, and is encouraging the Philippians, to trust so deeply that they are eagerly pursuing with every part of their being the gospel in all of its glory.

4) What is the goal that Paul references in v. 14?
Paul is running the race of life well. He is pressing into the hope that comes from knowing and trusting Jesus. He is telling the Philippians that any believer’s life must represent a constant pursuit to know God and His will. The goal of imitating Christ Himself compels the believer to know the sweetness of trusting Him.

1) What had Paul gained that he is so willingly counted as loss?
The world would have us believe that keeping up with the Joneses is all we need in this life. We need only to keep ourselves happy and we have arrived. Unfortunately, that does not line up with the truth of the gospel, or even reality. There is more, there is a hope and calling to more. There is no amount of accolades we can acquire that will earn our salvation or our righteousness. Both come only from trusting in the one true God.

2) What message is Paul hoping that the Philippians receive from this passage?
When I think of loss, suffering, and sin, I don’t think of it as a blessing, but Paul wants us to be encouraged that regardless of what we face, our hope is founded in and based upon Christ’s death and resurrection. We don’t bare the weight of our righteousness and because of that we can run the race well. We can cast off our old and be made new. We can grow and mature in our faith as we cling to what we know to be true. We can cling to the faith we have obtained from trusting Christ as our personal Lord and Savior.

3) What does Paul mean by “press on” in v.12?
Sisters be encouraged! We can, with abandon, pursue the one true God. We can press on because we have hope that God is bigger. God is bigger than whatever you are facing: marital struggles, financial issues, depression, anxiety, addiction….fill in the blank. We press on because we have obtained, and are obtaining, what God desires when we rest in Him and worship Him alone.

4) What is the goal that Paul references in v. 14?
The goal in this life is to “hold true to what we have obtained”. (v.16) Hold fast, friends, to what you know to be true. Hold fast to the hope of your calling as a princess in the Kingdom of God. Hold fast to our protector, sustainer, and provider who calls you by name and created you with thought and purpose. (Psalm 139) The goal is to hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant” at the end of this life. (Matthew 25:21) The aim is to mature in our faith and experience authentic worship when we trust Him with our very souls for all of eternity.

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