Philippians ~ Chapter 3/Thursday Bible Study

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 😊

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) 😊 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.

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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 ישוע המשיח & the Greek word, Christos/khris-tos) = The Anointed, Yeshua the Messiah, in both languages.

**Lord Jesus Christ (in Greek: Kyrios Iēsous 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: אֱלֹהֵי הָאֱלֹהִים) = God of gods; above all gods.

****Ruach HaKo’desh: In Hebrew, the Holy Spirit (רוח הקודש, 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)