Pressing on Towards the Goal

 Philippians 3:4b-14 is the Second Reading appointed for the 19th Sunday after Pentecost in the Year of Matthew.  It is part of a semi-continuous reading of Paul's letter that takes us through these 4 weeks. Here Paul testifies to the incalculable value of  knowing Christ and being given a righteousness based on faith. Paul is celebrating the magnificence of the good news.  It will be the preacher's task to do the same.

(The following questions are not meant to be exhaustive, but serve only as a method for understanding how the Word is functioning in the text, a fundamental concern of Law and Gospel preachers.  For more on this method, see my brief guide, Afflicting the Comfortable, Comforting the Afflicted, available from wipfandstock.com or amazon.)

1. How does the Word function in the text?  The Word here functions primarily as Gospel, as Paul celebrates what God has done for him.  Over and over, God or Jesus is subject of the sentence: "the righteousness from God based on faith," (vs. 9), "Christ Jesus has made me his own," (vs. 12).

2.  How is the Word not functioning in the text?  The Law is not really present in this text.  There is no call to repentance.  There are plenty of hints as to the obstacles of faith, but Paul simply says, "Forgetting what lies behind...I press on toward the goal."

3.  With whom are you identifying in the text?  We identify with Paul.  We, too, have been claimed by Christ and been given the righteousness that comes by faith.  We, too, press on to the goal of the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.

4.  What, if any, call to obedience is there in this text?  There is no explicit call to obedience in this text, but Paul is certainly, by his example, exhorting us to do as he is doing.   Verse 12b says it clearly, "I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own."  This is the classic call to obedience, the text inviting us to live in response to God's work in Christ.

5.  What Law/Gospel couplet is suggested by this text?  Because the Law is absent from this text, we need to invent several couplets using the language in the text. Some suggestions: confidence in the flesh/confidence in God's work; loss/gain; what lies behind/what lies ahead.

6.  Exegetical work:  The 5th century bishop, Theodoret of Cyr, made an important distinction regarding things "left behind."  He said, "It is not that I flee them as base things but that I prefer what is superior.  Having tasted the grain I throw away the refuse." (Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture, NT, vol. VIII, p. 270).  Another early church bishop, John Chrysostom, also comments on things left behind:  "He does not say 'the law is privation' but I count it loss.  And when he spoke of gain, he did not say 'I count it' but it was.  For the latter was true by nature, the former in his own estimation."  (Ibid.)  Contemporary commentator, Fred Craddock, concurs:  "What Paul is saying is that Christ surpasses everything of worth to me....He counts gains as loss." (Interpretation commentary series, Philippians, p. 58).

7.  How does the Crossings Community model work with this text?  Peter Keyel has a very simple layout, which explains the issues well:  Righteousness that falls short vis-a-vis, righteousness that accomplishes all.  Go to crossings.org/text study for the complete analysis.

Blessings on your proclamation!