Quote:

 

Read Philippians 3:4-15
Read once slowly, following this with a few minutes silence.
Invite the group to share a word or phrase that struck them without
elaborating or commenting.
Read again and follow with the commentary below and sharing.
Commentary
Here Paul details his past and leaves us in no doubt as to his Jewish heritage. A descendant of Israel and a member of the tribe of
Benjamin, he was, in strictest conformity to Jewish Law, circumcised on the eighth day, and was probably well-versed in the Hebrew
language and customs. Moreover Paul belonged to ‘the strictest Jewish sect’ (Acts 26:5), the Pharisees, and his zeal for the Law led
to his persecution of Christians.
After his conversion, Paul still remembers how he had “outstripped” his contemporaries in his “limitless enthusiasm” for the traditions of
his ancestors (Gal 1:13-14). However, once he has come to know Christ, Paul says all this past effort counts for nothing; he uses very
strong language because he wants to draw the contrast between the old life and the new. Knowing Christ has radically changed his outlook, Paul now realises that the only sure foundation for life is found not through a person’s heritage or their own human achievements but through the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
‘Righteousness’ is a central theme for Paul: he speaks of it in several of his letters (see also Romans and Galatians). Only God is truly
righteous; when human beings are said to be righteous, this refers to their being in right relationship with God. According to Paul, the Law
served the purpose of pointing out and dealing with that which separated humanity from God, (i.e. sin), but as such it could only offer
punishment and condemnation, (Rom 7; Gal 3:10, 19), and was not able to give spiritual strength to those who followed it. With the coming of Christ, however, we have been freed from slavery to the Law and “we are now in a new service”. By his death and resurrection Christ has brought us into right relationship with God, redeeming us and making us adopted children of God (Gal 4:5), so that we are called to live a new life in Christ. Jesus’ example of
obedience, even to death, not only sets right Adam’s disobedience,
but also gives us grace in superabundance (Rom 5:12-21). This is why “we make Christ Jesus our only boast” (Phil 3:3). For Paul his conversion to Christ and his call to ministry were inseparable, but he realises he has still not reached his goal, and he presses on towards the finishing-point, toiling hard in his ministry to bring the Good News to the Gentiles. Like Paul, we too are called to “work out our salvation in fear and trembling”; we are to be “like bright
stars in the world” (Phil 2:16), called to give ourselves completely to the service of others and to spreading the Good News.
Sharing
Group members may wish to simply respond to the commentary or they may wish to discuss some of the questions below:
1. The conversion of St Paul was dramatic and complete. In what way does faith in Jesus influence my own life?
2. We are all called to serve the Gospel. How do I discern my calling? In what ways can I build up the kingdom of God?
3. I have been restored and redeemed by Christ. Do I make Christ Jesus my only boast?