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Wednesday, November 20th, 2024
the Week of Proper 28 / Ordinary 33
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King James Version

Philippians 3:8

Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Justification;   Knowledge;   Love;   Obedience;   Righteous;   Sacrifices;   Salvation;   Self-Denial;   Testimony;   Wisdom;   Works;   Zeal, Religious;   Scofield Reference Index - Law of Moses;   Thompson Chain Reference - All Things;   Consecration;   Entire Consecration;   Gain through Loss;   Investments, Spiritual;   Leaving All;   Paul;   Poverty-Riches;   Renunciation;   Self-Denial;   Self-Indulgence-Self-Denial;   Self-Sacrifice;   Selfishness-Unselfishness;   Spiritual;   Surrendered Life, Characteristics of;   Things, All;   Treasures, Spiritual;   The Topic Concordance - Righteousness;   Self-Righteousness;   Suffering;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Justification before God;   Preciousness of Christ;   Riches;   Righteousness;   Righteousness Imputed;   Self-Righteousness;  

Dictionaries:

- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Paul;   Righteousness;   World;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Confidence;   Faith;   Galatians, Theology of;   Humility;   Philippians, Theology of;   Sanctification;   Spirituality;   Union with Christ;   Works of the Law;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Adoption;   Communion (2);   Justification;   Knowledge of God (1);   Love to God;   Self-Denial;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Justification;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Dung;   Flesh;   Marah;   Philippians, the Epistle to the;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Dung;   Philippians;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Dung;   Ethics;   Gnosticism;   Philippians, Epistle to;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Boyhood ;   Cheerfulness ;   Gain;   Joy;   Justification;   Mediation Mediator;   Philippians Epistle to the;   Sanctification;   Self- Denial;   Self-Denial;   Suffering;   Trust;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Lord;   Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types - Dung;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - Saul of Tarsus;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Dung;   Excellency;   Forfeit;   Good, Chief;   Know;   Loss;   Philippians, the Epistle to;   Suffering;   Verily;  

Devotionals:

- Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life - Devotion for April 4;   Daily Light on the Daily Path - Devotion for October 29;   Every Day Light - Devotion for October 27;  

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
Not only these things, but now I think that all things are worth nothing compared with the greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of Christ, I lost all these things, and now I know that they are all worthless trash. All I want now is Christ.
Revised Standard Version
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 refuse, in order that I may gain Christ
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Ye I thinke all thynges but losse for that excellet knowledges sake of Christ Iesu my lorde. For whom I have counted all thynge losse and do iudge them but donge that I myght wynne Christ
Hebrew Names Version
Yes most assuredly, and I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Messiah Yeshua, my Lord, for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and count them nothing but refuse, that I may gain Messiah
New American Standard Bible
More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them mere rubbish, so that I may gain Christ,
New Century Version
Not only those things, but I think that all things are worth nothing compared with the greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of him, I have lost all those things, and now I know they are worthless trash. This allows me to have Christ
Update Bible Version
But on the contrary, I also count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and regard them as crap, that I may gain Christ,
Webster's Bible Translation
Yes doubtless, and I count all things [to be] loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them [to be] dung, that I may win Christ,
English Standard Version
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
World English Bible
Yes most assuredly, and I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord, for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and count them nothing but refuse, that I may gain Christ
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
Yea doubtless, and I account all things to be loss, for the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ my Lord; for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do account them but dung,
Weymouth's New Testament
Nay, I even reckon all things as pure loss because of the priceless privilege of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. And for His sake I have suffered the loss of everything, and reckon it all as mere refuse, in order that I may win Christ and be found in union with Him,
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Netheles Y gesse alle thingis to be peirement for the cleer science of Jhesu Crist my Lord. For whom Y made alle thingis peyrement, and Y deme as drit,
English Revised Version
Yea verily, and I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may gain Christ,
Berean Standard Bible
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
Contemporary English Version
Nothing is as wonderful as knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have given up everything else and count it all as garbage. All I want is Christ
Amplified Bible
But more than that, I count everything as loss compared to the priceless privilege and supreme advantage of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord [and of growing more deeply and thoroughly acquainted with Him—a joy unequaled]. For His sake I have lost everything, and I consider it all garbage, so that I may gain Christ,
American Standard Version
Yea verily, and I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but refuse, that I may gain Christ,
Bible in Basic English
Yes truly, and I am ready to give up all things for the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, which is more than all: for whom I have undergone the loss of all things, and to me they are less than nothing, so that I may have Christ as my reward,
Complete Jewish Bible
Not only that, but I consider everything a disadvantage in comparison with the supreme value of knowing the Messiah Yeshua as my Lord. It was because of him that I gave up everything and regard it all as garbage, in order to gain the Messiah
Darby Translation
But surely I count also all things to be loss on account of the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, on account of whom I have suffered the loss of all, and count them to be filth, that I may gain Christ;
International Standard Version
What is more, I continue to consider all these things as a loss for the sake of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. It is because of him that I have experienced the loss of all those things. Indeed, I consider them rubbishdung">[fn] in order to gain ChristIsaiah 53:11; Jeremiah 9:23-24; John 17:3; 1 Corinthians 2:2; Colossians 2:2;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
8 and I also (still) reckon them all loss, for the grandeur [fn] of the knowledge of Jeshu Meshiha my Lord; for whose sake I have lost all things, and have reckoned as dung, that the Meshiha I may gain,
Murdock Translation
8 And now also I account them all a detriment, because of the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus the Messiah my Lord; for the sake of whom, I have parted with all things, and have accounted [fn] as dung, that I might gain the Messiah,
King James Version (1611)
Yea doubtlesse, and I count all things but losse, for the excellencie of the knowledge of Christ Iesus my Lord: for whom I haue suffered the losse of all things, and doe count them but doung, that I may win Christ,
New Living Translation
Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ
New Life Bible
Even more than that, I think of everything as worth nothing. It is so much better to know Christ Jesus my Lord. I have lost everything for Him. And I think of these things as worth nothing so that I can have Christ.
New Revised Standard
More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ
Geneva Bible (1587)
Yea, doubtlesse I thinke all thinges but losse for the excellent knowledge sake of Christ Iesus my Lorde, for whome I haue counted all things losse, and doe iudge them to bee dongue, that I might winne Christ,
George Lamsa Translation
And I still count them all a loss, for the sake of abundant knowledge of Jesus Christ my LORD: for whom I have lost everything, and I have considered all those things as refuse, so that I may increase in Christ
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Yea, doubtless! and I account all things to be, loss, because of the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for the sake of whom, the loss, of all things, have I suffered, and do account them refuse, in order that, Christ, I may win,
Douay-Rheims Bible
Furthermore, I count all things to be but loss for the excellent knowledge of Jesus Christ, my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things and count them but as dung, that I may gain Christ.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Yea, I thynke all thynges but losse, for the excellencie of the knowledge of Christe Iesus my Lorde: For whom I haue counted all thyng losse, & do iudge the but vile, that I may winne Christe,
Good News Translation
Not only those things; I reckon everything as complete loss for the sake of what is so much more valuable, the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have thrown everything away; I consider it all as mere garbage, so that I may gain Christ
Christian Standard Bible®
More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them as dung, so that I may gain Christ
Lexham English Bible
More than that, I even consider all things to be loss because of the surpassing greatness of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for the sake of whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and consider them dung, in order that I may gain Christ
Literal Translation
But, no, rather I also count all things to be loss because of the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them to be trash, that I might gain Christ
Young's Literal Translation
yes, indeed, and I count all things to be loss, because of the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, because of whom of the all things I suffered loss, and do count them to be refuse, that Christ I may gain, and be found in him,
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Yee I thynke all thinges but losse, for that excellent knowleges sake of Christ Iesu my LORDE: for whom I haue counted all thinge losse, and do iudge them but donge, that I mighte wynne Christ,
Mace New Testament (1729)
nay I think them disadvantages when put in competition with the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ my Lord: for whose sake I abandon all these things, and count them as straw, that I may gain Christ,
New English Translation
More than that, I now regard all things as liabilities compared to the far greater value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things—indeed, I regard them as dung!—that I may gain Christ,
New King James Version
Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ
Simplified Cowboy Version
The only thing in life that is important is knowing Jesus Christ as my Lord. Because of him, I have left everything behind. I left my former life like garbage waiting on the fly-wagon. You have to lose everything if you are to gain Christ.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ,
Legacy Standard Bible
More than that, I count all things to be loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ

Contextual Overview

4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: 5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. 7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

doubtless: Numbers 14:30, Psalms 126:6, Luke 11:20, 1 Corinthians 9:10, 1 John 2:19

I count: Acts 20:24, Romans 8:18

the excellency: Philippians 3:10, Isaiah 53:11, Jeremiah 9:23, Jeremiah 9:24, Matthew 11:25-27, Matthew 16:16, Matthew 16:17, Luke 10:21, Luke 10:22, John 14:7, John 14:20, John 16:3, John 17:3, John 17:8, 1 Corinthians 2:2, 2 Corinthians 4:4, 2 Corinthians 4:6, Galatians 1:16, Ephesians 1:17, Ephesians 1:18, Ephesians 3:8, Ephesians 3:9, Ephesians 3:18, Ephesians 3:19, Colossians 2:2, Colossians 2:3, 1 Peter 2:7, 2 Peter 1:3, 2 Peter 3:18, 1 John 5:20

my: Luke 1:43, Luke 20:42-44, John 20:13, John 20:28

for whom: Philippians 3:7, Matthew 19:27-29, 1 Corinthians 4:9-13, 2 Corinthians 11:23-27, 2 Timothy 4:6

but dung: 1 Kings 14:10, 2 Kings 9:37, Job 20:7, Malachi 2:3

win: Matthew 13:44-46, Hebrews 3:14, 1 John 1:3

Reciprocal: Genesis 47:19 - buy us Exodus 37:9 - cherubims spread Numbers 6:9 - shave Numbers 18:30 - the best Numbers 24:11 - the Lord Joshua 5:14 - my lord 2 Kings 7:15 - had cast away 2 Chronicles 30:22 - the good Job 2:4 - all that Job 9:31 - mine Psalms 8:1 - our Psalms 45:11 - Lord Psalms 45:16 - Instead Psalms 73:25 - Whom Psalms 148:13 - for his name Proverbs 3:14 - General Proverbs 4:7 - Wisdom is Proverbs 8:11 - wisdom Proverbs 8:18 - and righteousness Proverbs 8:35 - whoso Proverbs 23:23 - Buy Ecclesiastes 3:6 - and a time to cast Ecclesiastes 7:12 - the excellency Song of Solomon 1:16 - thou art Song of Solomon 5:16 - most Song of Solomon 8:1 - I would Isaiah 2:20 - cast Isaiah 45:17 - Israel Isaiah 51:7 - ye that Hosea 2:20 - and Jonah 1:5 - and cast Matthew 18:8 - and cast Matthew 19:29 - or brethren Matthew 22:44 - my Lord Mark 1:18 - forsook Mark 9:47 - thine Mark 10:30 - an hundredfold Mark 13:15 - General Luke 2:11 - the Lord Luke 5:11 - they forsook Luke 9:29 - General Luke 14:26 - any Luke 14:33 - General Luke 17:10 - General Luke 17:31 - he which Luke 18:23 - he was very sorrowful John 10:14 - am John 13:13 - call Acts 27:18 - the next Romans 7:17 - it is no more 1 Corinthians 12:31 - show 2 Corinthians 5:16 - know we no Galatians 4:12 - be Galatians 6:14 - God Ephesians 4:5 - One Lord Ephesians 4:13 - the knowledge Philippians 3:13 - I count Philippians 4:11 - I have 2 Timothy 1:12 - for I Hebrews 7:14 - Our Lord James 1:10 - in

Cross-References

Genesis 3:1
Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
Genesis 3:2
And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:
Genesis 3:3
But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
Genesis 3:9
And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?
Genesis 3:10
And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.
Genesis 3:12
And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.
Genesis 3:21
Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them.
Genesis 3:22
And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:
Deuteronomy 4:33
Did ever people hear the voice of God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as thou hast heard, and live?
Deuteronomy 5:25
Now therefore why should we die? for this great fire will consume us: if we hear the voice of the Lord our God any more, then we shall die.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Yea, doubtless, and I count all things [but] loss,.... Not only the things before mentioned, but anything, and everything else but Christ, or that stood in competition with him, or were short of him; as his natural and acquired parts; the whole compass of learning he had attained to; all that honour, credit, reputation, and popularity he was in for knowledge and devotion; all worldly substance, the comforts of life, and life itself; and all his righteousness since conversion, as well as before; of this no doubt could be made by those who knew him, his principles and his practices: and all this

for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: "by the knowledge of Christ" is not meant subjectively the knowledge that is in Christ, or which he has of others, either as God or man; but objectively, that knowledge which believers have of him, who know him not only in his person, as God over all, but as a Saviour and Redeemer, and as theirs; they know him in all his relations, and particularly as their Lord, not by creation only, but by redemption and grace, as the apostle did, putting an emphasis on these words, "my Lord"; thereby expressing his faith of interest in him, his great affection for him, and cheerful subjection to him. And this knowledge is not general, but special, spiritual, and saving; it is a knowledge of approbation of Christ above all others; a fiducial one, which has faith in him joined with it, and is both experimental and, practical, and, at least at times, appropriating; and though imperfect, it is progressive and capable of being increased, and will at last be brought to perfection. It is attained to, not by the light of nature, nor by the help of carnal reason, nor by the law of Moses, but by the Gospel of the grace of God, as a means; and the efficient cause of it is Father, Son, and Spirit; the Father reveals Christ in his saints; the Son gives them an understanding to know him; and the Spirit is a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him; and this knowledge is very excellent: a spiritual knowledge of Christ is more excellent than a general and notional one, or than a knowledge of Christ after the flesh; and the knowledge of Christ under the Gospel dispensation, though the same in nature, is more excellent than that which was under the legal dispensation, by promises, prophecies, and the ceremonial law, in degree, extensiveness, and clearness; but the most excellent knowledge of Christ is that of the saints in heaven; yea, even there is an excellency in what the saints have here on earth, and a superior one to all other knowledge, if the author and original of it is considered: it is not of ourselves, nor by the assistance of men; it is not in the book of nature, nor in the schools of the philosophers; it is not of earth, nor earthly, but it comes from afar, from above, from heaven, from God the Father of lights; it is a free grace gift, a distinguishing one, and is very comprehensive, unspeakable, and unchangeable: and as to the object of it, it is Christ, the chiefest among ten thousands; who made the heavens, earth, and seas, and all that in them are, the sun, moon, and stars, men and beasts, birds and fishes, fossils, minerals, vegetables, and everything in nature; and therefore the knowledge of him must be superior to the knowledge of everything else; and, which adds to its excellency, it makes Christ precious, engages faith and confidence in him, influences the life and conversation, humbles the soul, and creates in it true pleasure and satisfaction; when all other knowledge fills with self-love, pride, and vanity, and increases sorrow; whereas this is not only useful in life, but supports, as under afflictions, so in the views of death and eternity; through it grace is received now, and by it glory hereafter; for it is the beginning, earnest, and pledge of eternal life. Well may the believer count all things but loss for it, as the apostle did; who adds, for further confirmation of what he had asserted,

for whom I have suffered the loss of all things; he dropped all confidence in his carnal privileges, and civil, ceremonial, and moral righteousness, for Christ and his righteousness; he parted with all for this pearl of great price; he lost his good name, credit, and reputation among men, and suffered afflictions and persecutions in various shapes; he lost the comforts of life, being often in cold and nakedness, in hunger and thirst, and was ready to suffer the loss of life itself for professing and preaching Christ:

and do count them [but] dung; or dog's meat; see Philippians 3:2; what is fit only to be cast to dogs, as the word signifies; and intends every thing that is base, mean, and worthless; as the faeces of men, the dregs and lees of liquor, the falling of fruit, chaff, stubble, the dross of metals, dung, and what not: so he esteemed his carnal descent; his form and sect of religion, and zeal in it; his ceremonial and moral righteousness before and after conversion; and everything of the creature, or what was his own, and but flesh; being of the same opinion with the church of old, who reckoned her righteousnesses, the best, and the whole of them, as "filthy rags". The apostle next expresses his end and views in this,

that I may win Christ; not get an interest in him, for this he had already, and he knew he had, and that he should never lose it; and besides, an interest in Christ is not a thing that begins in time, but commenced from all eternity; and is not gotten at all, not by good works, nor repentance, nor faith; for these, if right and genuine, are the fruits and effects of an interest in Christ, but is what is freely given. The apostle's meaning is, either that he might gain or acquire a larger knowledge of Christ; and he cared not what pains he took, what expenses he was at, nor what loss he sustained for what he esteemed the most excellent, and for which he had already suffered the loss of all things; and if he had had more to lose, he could willingly part with it for more of this knowledge; compare Philippians 3:10; or his sense is, that he might gain by Christ, or that Christ might be gain to him, as he found him to be, and as he is to every believer; who by parting with all for Christ, gains much by him, as a justifying righteousness, acceptance with God, peace, pardon, life, grace, and glory.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Yea, doubtless, and I count all things but loss - Not only those things which he had just specified, and which he had himself possessed, he says he would be willing to renounce in order to obtain an interest in the Saviour, but everything which could be imagined. Were all the wealth and honor which could be conceived of his, he would be willing to renounce them in order that he might obtain the knowledge of the Redeemer. He would be a gainer who should sacrifice everything in order to win Christ. Paul had not only acted on this principle when he became a Christian, but had ever afterward continued to be ready to give up everything in order that he might obtain an interest in the Saviour. He uses here the same word - ζημίαν zēmian - which he does in the Acts of the Apostles, Acts 27:21, when speaking of the loss which had been sustained by loosing from Crete, contrary to his advice, on the voyage to Rome. The idea here seems to be, “What I might obtain, or did possess, I regard as loss in comparison with the knowledge of Christ, even as seamen do the goods on which they set a high value, in comparison with their lives. Valuable as they may be, they are willing to throw them all overboard in order to save themselves.” Burder, in Ros. Alt. u. neu. Morgenland, in loc.

For the excellency of the knowledge - A Hebrew expression to denote excellent knowledge. The idea is, that he held everything else to be worthless in comparison with that knowledge, and he was willing to sacrifice everything else in order to obtain it. On the value of this knowledge of the Saviour, see the notes at Ephesians 3:19.

For whom I have suffered the loss of all things - Paul, when he became a Christian, gave up his brilliant prospects in regard to this life, and everything indeed on which his heart had been placed. He abandoned the hope of honor and distinction; he sacrificed every prospect of gain or ease; and he gave up his dearest friends and separated himself from those whom he tenderly loved. He might have risen to the highest posts of honor in his native land, and the path which an ambitious young man desires was fully open before him. But all this had been cheerfully sacrificed in order that he might obtain an interest in the Saviour, and partake of the blessings of his religion. He has not, indeed, informed us of the exact extent of his loss in becoming a Christian. It is by no means improbable that he had been excommunicated by the Jews; and that he had been disowned by his own family.

And do count them but dung - The word used here - σκύβαλον skubalon - occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. It means, properly, dregs; refuse; what is thrown away as worthless; chaff; offal, or the refuse of a table or of slaughtered animals, and then filth of any kind. No language could express a more deep sense of the utter worthlessness of all that external advantages can confer in the matter of salvation. In the question of justification before God, all reliance on birth, and blood, and external morality, and forms of religion, and prayers, and alms, is to be renounced, and, in comparison with the merits of the great Redeemer, to be esteemed as vile. Such were Paul’s views, and we may remark that if this was so in his case, it should he in ours. Such things can no more avail for our salvation than they could for his. We can no more be justified by them than he could. Nor will they do anything more in our case to commend us to God than they did in his.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 8. I count all things but loss — Not only my Jewish privileges, but all others of every kind; with every thing that men count valuable or gainful, or on which they usually depend for salvation.

The excellency of the knowledge of Christ — That superior light, information, and blessedness which come through the Gospel of Jesus Christ; justification through his blood, sanctification by his Spirit, and eternal glory through his merits and intercession. These are the blessings held out to us by the Gospel, of which, and the law, Jesus Christ is the sum and substance.

I have suffered the loss of all things — Some translate δι ον τα παντα εζημιωθην, for whom I have thrown away all things-I have made a voluntary choice of Christ, his cross, his poverty, and his reproach; and for these I have freely sacrificed all I had from the world, and all I could expect from it.

And do count them but dung — The word σκυβαλα means the vilest dross or refuse of any thing; the worst excrement. The word shows how utterly insignificant and unavailing, in point of salvation, the apostle esteemed every thing but the Gospel of Jesus. With his best things he freely parted, judging them all loss while put in the place of Christ crucified; and Christ crucified he esteemed infinite gain, when compared with all the rest. Of the utter unavailableness of any thing but Christ to save the soul the Apostle Paul stands as an incontrovertible proof. Could the law have done any thing, the apostle must have known it. He tried, and found it vanity; he tried the Gospel system, and found it the power of God to his salvation. By losing all that the world calls excellent, he gained Christ, and endless salvation through him. Of the glorious influence of the Gospel he is an unimpeachable witness. See the concluding observations on the 9th chapter of the Acts, on the character of St. Paul. "Acts 9:43"


 
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