This chapter is all too often MISquoted by Jew
haters, who willingly and ignorantly use it to preach arrogant racial hatred
towards Jews – this gentile group of spiritually blind people,
claiming to be Christians, are seriously leading people astray, and
bringing a serious curse onto themselves (Genesis 12:3): they are in direct
conflict with Elohei Ha’Elohim! Do not listen to them, do not share a
meal with them (John 4:1; Romans 16:17-18). Leave them to Elohim.
Elohim does not hate Jews (Romans 11:11-24) … and anyone
who does, is not a Christian.
That said, let’s look at an overview of this Chapter – and
read it honestly, and in Truth π
In this Chapter, Apostle Paul appears about to close his
letter, when he launches into a warning about the continuing problem of
legalism (by doing good works or by obeying the law, a person earns and
merits salvation): Paul refutes (proves false) this teaching with
revealing details of his private life, as well as his previous attachments to
orthodox Judaism (Orthodox Judaism strictly adheres to the Mosaic Law and
practices, such as mandatory daily worship, strict dress codes for male and
female, mandatory circumcision for males, dietary laws, traditional liturgy and
ceremonies, mandatory and intensive study of the Torah, and separation of men
and women in the synagogue). He states that compared to the goal of knowing
*Yeshua
Ha’Mashiach, those pursuits were as nothing; and that true righteousness is
received through Faith, not by mechanical (forcefully automatic, mindless,
repetitive) obedience (compliance) to any Law.
Judaizers are those – either Jew
or Gentile … adhering to orthodox rabbinic practices and strict 613 laws – most
of which have absolutely nothing to do with keeping in step with Elohei
Ha’Elohim. rabbis have strayed from the Law Elohim laid down, and force
laws on Jews that Yeshua condemned them for, stating that the rabbi’s
themselves do not keep the Laws they seek to influence others to do (Luke
11:46); even so, Yeshua never broke an actual Old Covenant Law:
Yeshua IS the Law (John 6:51, 63), and He kept the Law in perfection (Matthew
5:17-20) π Elohim’s Law is simple and
basic, and it is not burdensome. The doctrine of Judaizers is a mixture of
grace through Christ, and works through keeping the Law of rabbinic orthodoxy:
anytime you hear someone – be it a pastor, an elder, a deacon, or a fellow
congregant telling you “you must” do a work (tithe, proselytizing = agitated
cajoling to persuade adherence to a religious mindset, attend every single
church service and activity, ect.), to gain or keep your salvation … you
can be sure they are of a Judaizing mindset, teaching a different {gospel}. A
lot of “Christian” churches were founded on Judaizing concepts – be wise when
choosing a Fellowship! Know the Word.
Salvation is through faith in Yeshua Ha’Mashiach only! There is no other way to salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9).
You cannot work your way into Elohim’s good grace. You cannot buy your
salvation through tithing. Salvation is a free gift, purchased and given to
you by Yeshua’s Life blood. Accepting Christ’s sacrifice on Calvary
means you are saved! Walking in faith and confidence in that salvation, you
have eternal redemption: which means you are redeemed (saved) the moment
you believed Christ to be the Son of God and your Redeemer – you are
saved: yesterday, today, tomorrow, and forever if you stay in Him, and His
Spirit dwells in you. That’s it. You do not have to jump through
religious hoops to obtain, or keep your salvation. You can only loose
salvation if you willingly choose not to keep faith with Yeshua (backsliding
= this does not mean skipping Sunday service; it means literally breaking
with God).
In this Chapter, Paul also touches on the promised attainment
of the resurrected body.
**********
Philippians ~ Chapter 3/Thursday Bible Study
Warning Against Judaizers
“One more thing, my brethren: rejoice in the **Lord! To keep on saying this to you is not
irksome (tiresome, bothersome) to me, and it is necessary for your
safety. Look out for those who demand circumcision – they are dogs and
evil-doers. We who worship ***Elohei Ha’Elohim in the ****Ruach HaKo’desh, are the truly circumcised: for we have our
salvation in Christ and do not put our trust in such mutilation of the flesh.
For my part, I could have reason to trust in the flesh, also. Indeed, if anyone
else thinks that he can trust in the flesh, I can too … and more so. I was
circumcised when I was eight days old. I was of the People of Israel, and of
the Tribe of Benjamin. So, I was a Hebrew, of Hebrew parentage. In relation to
The Law, I was a #Pharisee. As to
zeal, I was a persecutor (tormenter = tyrant towards-) of the Church (Acts
8). As to righteousness under =The Law, I was blameless. (vvs. 1 – 6)
Knowing Christ As Lord
Still, what was counted as gain to me, all this I reckoned as
loss because of Christ. Indeed, I certainly consider everything a loss as
compared to the priceless (beyond price, extremely valuable) worth of
knowing Jesus Christ, my Lord. And so, on account of Him I have given up all
things and count them as rubbish (nonsense, foolishness, garbage), in
order to gain Christ as my own. I want to be united (bonded, merged)
with Him; I do not want a righteousness based on The Law, but one which comes
through faith in Christ – the righteousness that Elohim gives, which is based
on Faith. I want to know Him and experience the power of His resurrection (rebirth,
restoration). I want to share in His sufferings and even to be like Him in
His death, so that I, too, may somehow experience the resurrection from the
dead (lifeless = cadaver/corpse; died). (vvs. 7 – 11)
Looking Towards the Prize
No, I have not yet reached that goal. I do not think of
myself as already perfect. But I keep pressing on, eager to reach it, because
Christ Jesus has claimed me as His Own. Brethren, I do not say that I have
already reached it. But this one thing I do: I forget what is of the past and
turn my mind intently (fixedly, closely, absorbently, clearly) on what
lies ahead (in front of). Then I press on toward the goal in view, eager
for the prize, he heavenly call that Elohim gave through Jesus Christ. So let all of us who have reached spiritual
maturity (connection, peace, and lasting joy) be thus minded. On the
other hand, should some of you think otherwise, Elohim will make this plain to
you, also. But this is important: in so far as we have come to an understanding
(awareness, supportive), let us be guided (led, sown the way) by that rule. Let
us be of one mind.
The Abusers of Christian Freedom
Brethren, follow my example (model, standard, pattern),
and by this standard (guideline, measure) mark (take notice of-)
the conduct (behavior, manner, bearing) of your fellow-Christians. I
have told you this before and often, and I tell you again, even with tears,
that there are many who behave as though they hated the cross of Christ. For
them the end is destruction. Their stomach is their god. They take pride in
their shame. They are completely absorbed in the things of this world.
We, on the other hand, are citizens of the Heavenly country –
from which, we are also awaiting the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will
take this earthly body of ours and make it new; yes, He will make it to be like
His own glorified body. This He can do, for he has the power to make all things
obey Him.
*Yeshua Ha’Mashiach: is Hebrew for
“Jesus the Messiah”; the name Jesus is the Greek form of the Hebrew name
Yeshua.
Christ (from the Hebrew word,
Ha’Mashiach ΧΧ©ΧΧ’ ΧΧΧ©ΧΧ & the Greek word, Christos/khris-tos) = The Anointed, Yeshua the
Messiah, in both languages.
**Lord Jesus Christ (in Greek: Kyrios IΔsous Christos) = the most formal title for Jesus (Yeshua). It occurs often in the New Testament letters.
The word “Lord” has a wide range of uses; it can be a simple
respectful “Sir” or a more formal, “Master.” But the New Testament also uses
“Lord” of God. The word “Christ” is the anglicized form of the Greek word
meaning “anointed one” or “Messiah.” “Lord Jesus Christ” reminds us that Jesus
is both the promised Messiah and our God.
***Elohei Ha’Elohim (Hebrew word: ΧֱΧֹΧֵΧ ΧָΧֱΧֹΧִΧΧ) = God
of gods; above all gods.
****Ruach HaKo’desh: In Hebrew, the Holy Spirit (Χ¨ΧΧ ΧΧ§ΧΧΧ©, Roo-ahk
hah-Koh-desh) refers to the divine force, quality, and influence
(aka, power) of God.
The Holy Spirit (Luke 3:16 & 11:13; 1 Corinthians 6:9;
Ephesians 1:13 & 4:30; 1 Thessalonians 4:8; Titus 3:5; and Jude 1:20),
is referred to more than 90 times in the Brit Chadashah.
#Pharisee = The Pharisees were a politico-religious party among the
Jews; supposedly originating shortly after the Babylonian Captivity. A Pharisee
is, literally, one who is separated; and it is thought that the name was given
because these people separated themselves from all Levitical impurity. They
were doubless a pure people in the beginning, their design being to preserve
the Law from violation, and the Jewish people from contamination. As their
influence increased, and political power came into their hands, they lost much
of their original simplicity. In the time of Christ, they were very numerous
and influential; and occupied the chief offices among the Jews.
The Pharisees were especially distinguished for belief in the
Oral Law of Moses, as well as a Written Law. The Oral Law was supposed to be
supplementary to the Written Law, and, with various comments added from time to
time, had been handed down by tradition. The Pharisees had great veneration for
this traditionary code and traditionary interpretations: they placed them in
authority with the Written Law, and even above it (Matthew 15:1-20). As
a body, they were not chargeable with immorality in life; on the contrary,
there many zealous and conscientious men among them, and many things which they
taught were worthy of being observed, as Yeshua Himself, admitted – even while
scolding (Mathew 23:1-3): these teachings were from The Law; it was when
the Pharisees tried to make their own traditions valid that Yeshua denounced
them. The great error of the most of them consisted in substituting human
traditions for Devine Law; and in observing mere external forms, many of them
of a most wearisome – as well as – petty character, instead of seeking for
inward purity of heart, which would have been accompanied by corresponding
blamelessness in life.
It was natural that giving sway to humanistic overtones, such
teachers would be bitterly opposed to Christ, and that He should vehemently
denounce them, and warn people away from their teachings; His stinging rebukes
tingled in their ears and rankled in their hearts; and made them threaten His
life. They endeavored to trap Him by His own words, and in every possible
manner they openly displayed their hatred towards Him.
Apostle Paul, known as Saul before he converted to
Christianity (Acts 9), was the chief killer of Christians following
Yeshua’s death, resurrection, and ascension – being the foremost witness to the
stoning of Stephen (Acts 7).
=The Law = Mosaic Covenant (Deuteronomy
11). The Mosaic Covenant was a conditional covenant that either brought
God’s direct blessing for obedience or God’s direct cursing for disobedience
upon the nation of Israel. Part of the Mosaic Covenant was the Ten Commandments
(Exodus 20) and the rest of the Law, which contained over 600
commands—roughly 300 positive and 300 negative. The history books of the Old
Testament (Joshua–Esther) detail how Israel succeeded at obeying the Law
or how Israel failed miserably at obeying the Law.
**Philippians 2: (https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2022/11/philippians-chapter-2thursday-bible.html)
