Detail: Ministers Corner « Philippians Bible Study « Lesson 17: "Enemies of the Cross of Christ" Phil. 3:17-21:
Lesson 17: "Enemies of the Cross of Christ" Phil. 3:17-21
May 12, 2020
READ vv. 17-21. In v. 17 Paul desires that the Philippians have good examples among them. Because they need a model or a "pattern". Paul himself was an excellent model. Later in Phil. 4:9, he would remind them, "the things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you."
Previously in chapter two he had presented Timothy and Epaphroditus as worthy examples to them. Read Phil. 2:21,22 and note that Paul affirms that Timothy sought those things that "were Christ's" when all the others were seeking things that benefited them. He also mentions his "proven character." Later, Paul gives a wonderful endorsement for Epaphroditus. (Phil. 2:29,30) Here was a man whose ministry could be said to have endangered his own life.
In v.19 Paul reminds them that there are "many" bad examples". A glaring failure in their lives that Paul mentions is "whose god is their belly." Literally they chase after their fleshly, sinful desires just as one might have an appetite for steak, pizza or seafood. They are still unrepentant sinners. Their lives do not reflect the change that Christ should bring to a sinner's lifestyle.
In Rom. 6:11,12 Paul makes the point that if we are alive in Christ, we are also dead to sin. In 2 Cor. 5:17, Paul confirms "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." Continued chasing after sinful desires is proof that genuine repentance is still needed in a person's life.
A sinful lifestyle is not the only problem these men have. For Paul says, "they are the enemies of the cross of Christ." Why the cross of Christ as opposed to just enemies of Christ? Obviously, their problem is less with Christ and more about the death that Christ died on the cross.
The answer and the identity of these "enemies" becomes more clear when you ask yourself, "Why did Christ die on the Cross?" The general answer is that Christ died to save us. (Jn. 3:16) But why was death on a cross necessary?
Anytime someone violates the moral law of God by sinning, he must pay for his sins. He owes a debt in the eyes of God. This is why Paul in Rom. 6:23, states, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." So if we owed a "sin debt" to God, how can we pay it? Well, we could all be punished in Hell for our sins. But no one in their right mind wants that. Fortunately Jesus paid our debt by taking our punishment, the criminal's death, death on the cross. Peter makes this very plain in 1 Pe. 2:24. Paul does as well in Rom. 4:25. The prophet Isaiah foretold this solution to our sin debt in Isa. 53:5,6. We were healed of our sins by His stripes!
So these "enemies of the Cross of Christ are those who object to the purpose of the cross. Why? Because they feel that men must justify themselves by their lives and by their adherence to the Law of Moses. Paul has already alluded to such men in a veiled manner in Phil. 3:2,3. These "dogs", "evil workers" are the "mutilators". They are those of "the circumcision." They were Jewish teachers who had infiltrated the churches of the Gentiles in Asia Minor and were teaching the newly converted Gentiles that in order to be Christians, they must first become Jews. This meant the men had to be circumcised (the removal of the foreskin) and they must keep the Law of Moses and observe the customs of the Law. These men attacked the purpose of the cross by making Christ's death of no value! They felt salvation came through the works of the Law, not grace as Paul states in Eph. 2:8,9.
This is why they are enemies. This is why Paul warns the church at Philippi NOT to follow their example. This is why he calls them dogs, evil workers, mutilators and in v. 19 "whose end is destruction." Definitely not men you want to listen to or follow! Paul warned the Galatians that if they chose the way of circumcision over the way of Christ, they would be in bondage and would no longer belong to Christ. (Gal. 5:1-4) In effect they will have lost the desired covering of Christ's righteousness that Paul revealed to us in Phil. 3:8,9.
In vv. 20,21 Paul reminds them that they are NOT citizens of Israel or Judaism, but of heaven. Paul only tells us of one defining characteristic of a citizen of heaven. But it is a big one; from which many characteristics spring forth. This characteristic is "they eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ." (Phil. 3:20) This characteristic tells us that they wanted to see Jesus. They hoped He was coming soon.
They were those Paul had in mind at the end of his life on this earth in 2 Tim. 4:8, "Finally there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord the Righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day. And not to me only, but to all who have loved His appearing." Do you see that defining characteristic. Citizens of heaven want to be there and want to be with the Lord Jesus!
This love causes one to be faithful in being obedient to Jesus' teachings. In Jn. 14:15, Jesus identifies those who truly love Him in this manner, "If you love Me, keep My commandments."
What is it that makes one love Jesus in such a way as to forsake sin and keep His commandments? What would cause one to look forward to seeing Jesus' return? One thing alone would cause this self-denial. It is the fervent belief that Jesus is true to His promise of a resurrection that will result in an immortal resurrection body and a glorious eternity in heaven!
In v. 21, Paul affirms that Christ will "transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body." Just like Christ the true citizens of heaven will be clothed with a glorious and immortal body. Paul in discussing the resurrection and our glorious resurrection body declares that day to be one of "victory in Jesus". Read 1 Cor. 15:54-57. It is only fitting that I point out one final truth that Paul mentions here; "the strength of sin is the Law". (1 Cor. 15:56) Clearly the purpose of Christ's death on the cross must never be diminished. It was not merely a winsome gesture, but a purposeful deed that we must put in it's proper perspective lest we become "enemies of the cross of Christ."
Study Questions:
1. What two qualities made Timothy a good example for the Philippians?
2. In Phil. 3:17, What does Paul say that an example would give the Philippians?
3. "Who, Himself bore our _______ in His own __________ on the tree, that we having
_________ to sins, might live for ________________, by whose stripes you are _______
4. Who were these "enemies of the cross of Christ" described in Phil. 3: 2,3 & 18?
5.What did Paul warn the Galatians that would happen if they attempted to be justified by the Law in Gal. 5:4?
6. Where is the Christian's citizenship?
7. Whose glorious body will our lowly bodies be conformed to?