Sermon Series: Philippians, Part 21
Philippians 3:15-21
The Way
of the Cross Leads Home,
Part 1 (3:15–16), The Same
Rule, The Same Mind
[Audio file on Internet Archive at https://archive.org/details/Philippians315-21]
15
Let us therefore, as many as be
perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall
reveal even this unto you. 16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already
attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. 17 Brethren,
be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an
ensample. 18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now
tell you even weeping, that they are
the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is
their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly
things.) 20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we
look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our
vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to
the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
Outline:
I. The Same Rule, The Same Mind (3:15-16)
II. Following and Marking (3:17-19)
III. The Heavenly Conversation and the Great Change (3:20-21)
I. The Same Rule, The Same Mind (3:15-16)
15
Let us therefore, as many as be
perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall
reveal even this unto you. 16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already
attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
1. The Mind of the Mature (3:15)
2. The Union of our Walk (3:16)
1. The Mind of the Mature (3:15)
Let
us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be
otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
1) The Challenge Introduced — Let us therefore
2) The Challenge Qualified — as many as be perfect
3) The Challenge Specified — be thus minded
4) A Consideration of Possible
Exceptions — and if in any thing ye be
otherwise minded
5) The Cure for Possible Exceptions
— God shall reveal even this unto you
1) The Challenge Introduced — Let
us therefore
There is a distinct shift in this passage of Scripture in the
subjects of the verbs and the pronouns,
from the 3rd person plural in verse 3, to the 1st person singular throughout
verses 4-14, and now back to the 3rd person plural again in verses 15-21.
2) The Challenge Qualified — as
many as be perfect
“Perfect” — Doesn’t verse 15 seem to contradict verse 12, or is
the beginning of verse 15 “tongue-in-cheek”? [1]
Mt. 5:48 — Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is
in heaven is perfect.
1 Cor. 2:6 — Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect:
yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come
to nought:
3) The Challenge Specified — be
thus minded
What does the “thus” point back to?
“thus minded” vs. “otherwise minded”
4) A Consideration of Possible Exceptions — and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded
Gal. 5:10 — I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye
will be none otherwise
minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever
he be.
5) The Cure for Possible Exceptions — God shall reveal even this unto you
Jn. 6:45 — It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God.
Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh
unto me.
Jn. 7:17 — If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine,
whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
Eph. 1:17-23 — 17 That the God of our Lord Jesus
Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and
revelation in the knowledge of him: 18 The eyes of your understanding being
enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and
what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19
And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe,
according to the working of his mighty power, 20 Which he wrought in
Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in
the heavenly places, 21 Far above all principality, and power, and
might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but
also in that which is to come: 22 And hath put all things under his feet,
and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which
is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
I Th. 4:9 — But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I
write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one
another.
Hos. 6:3 — Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD:
his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the
rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.
And He will!!!
2. The Union of our Walk (3:16)
Nevertheless,
whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the
same thing.
As noted in the margin of the New King James Version, [2] there
is a textual issue in this verse that underlies the differences in the
translations. This is another case where there is a very clear difference in
the conclusions from the evidence between the editors fo the Byzantine and Majority
texts, and the modern critics’ eclectic text found in the Nestle-Aland and
United Bible Society editions that is the basis for most modern translations. [3]
Notice, however, that the NASB supplies the word “standard” in
italics in their English translation of this verse: “however, let us keep aliving by that same standard to which we have attained.” [4]
1) Different Levels of Maturity — Nevertheless, whereto we have already
attained
2) One Rule — let us walk by the same rule
3) The Same Mind — let us mind the same thing
1)
Different Levels of Maturity — Nevertheless,
whereto we have already attained
Our progress in spiritual maturity is a very unique individual
factor that varies from believer to believer like a spiritual fingerprint. However,
in this context Paul is indicating that these personal differences in the
experience of sanctification do not alter the unified applicability of what he
is confronting the Philippian believers with.
2)
One Rule — let us walk
by the same rule
Gal. 6:14-16 —14 But God forbid that I should glory,
save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto
me, and I unto the world. 15 For in Christ Jesus neither
circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. 16
And as many as
walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon
the Israel of God.
2 Cor. 10:12-18 — 12 For we dare not make ourselves of
the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they
measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves,
are not wise. 13 But we will not boast of things without our
measure, but
according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us,
a measure to reach even unto you. 14 For we stretch not ourselves
beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far
as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ: 15 Not boasting of
things without our measure, that is, of other men's labours; but having hope,
when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our
rule abundantly, 16 To preach the gospel in the regions
beyond you, and not to boast in another man's line of things made ready to our
hand. 17 But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. 18
For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.
3)
The Same Mind — let us mind
the same thing
“thus minded” (3:15)
“otherwise minded” (3:15)
“same minded”?
Rom. 12:16 — Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high
things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
Rom. 15:15 — Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more
boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that
is given to me of God,
Conclusion:
1 I
must needs go home by the way of the cross,
There's
no other way but this;
I
shall ne'er get sight of the gates of light,
If
the way of the cross I miss.
Chorus:
The
way of the cross leads home, (leads home,)
The
way of the cross leads home; (leads home;)
It
is sweet to know as I onward go,
The
way of cross leads home.
2 I
must needs go on in the blood sprinkled way,
The
path that the Savior trod,
If I
ever climb to the heights sublime,
Where
the soul is at home with God. [Chorus]
3
Then I bid farewell to the way of the world,
To
walk in it nevermore,
For
the Lord says, “Come,” and I seek my home
Where
He waits at the open door. [Chorus] [5]
[Sermon preached 14 MAY 2017 by Pastor John T. “Jack” Jeffery at
Wayside Gospel Chapel, Greentown, PA.]
End notes:
[1] “The adjective perfect comes from
the same root as the verb perfected in v. 12; Paul may well be employing a
wordplay to draw in his opponents. Thus, perfect would then be in quotation
marks and Paul would then argue that no one – neither they nor he – is in fact
perfect. The thrust of vv. 1-16 is that human credentials can produce nothing
that is pleasing to God (vv. 1-8). Instead of relying on such, Paul urges his
readers to trust God for their righteousness (v. 9) rather than their own
efforts, and at the same time to press on for the prize that awaits them (vv.
12-14). He argues further that perfection is unattainable in this life (v. 15),
yet the level of maturity that one has reached should not for this reason be
abandoned (v. 16).”
— “NET Notes” #23, on Lumina at https://lumina.bible.org/bible/Philippians+3 [accessed 13 MAY 2017].
[2] “NU omits rule and the rest of v. 16.”The New King James Version. (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982).
[3] Two examples of the reasonings and
conclusions of modern textual critics who are supporters of the eclectic text:
“The manuscript evidence overwhelmingly supports the WH NU reading, having
witness from the papyri and א* A B I 33 1739 cop.
Both variants are scribal expansions intended to elucidate the meaning of τω αυτω στοιχειν. Quite literally, this expression means “to keep step with the
same”—as in military marching. In context it means that Christians should keep
following those things that effectively work in their lives to promote
spiritual transformation. The addition of κανονι (“rule”)
in the first variant comes from Gal 6:16, where Paul encouraged the believers
“to keep in line with the rule (principle)” that in Christ Jesus neither
circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything—but a new creation.”
— P. W. Comfort, New Testament Text and Translation
Commentary: Commentary on the Variant Readings of the Ancient New Testament
Manuscripts and How They Relate to the Major English Translations (Carol
Stream, IL: Tyndale House, 2008),
pg. 614.
“Although κανόνι (kanoni, “standard,
rule”) is found in most witnesses, though in various locations in this verse (א D Ψ 075 Ï), it is almost surely
a motivated reading, for it clarifies the cryptic τῷ αὐτῷ (tw autw, “the same”).
Both the fact that the word floats, and that there are other variants which
accomplish greater clarity by other means, strongly suggests the secondary
nature of any of the longer readings here. Further, the shortest text has
excellent and early support in Ì א* A B I 6 33 1739 co, rendering
it decidedly the preferred reading. The translation adds “standard” because of
English requirements, not because of textual basis.”
[4] New American
Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (Php 3:16). La Habra, CA: The Lockman
Foundation.
[5] Jessie Brown Pounds (1906); on Hymnary
at http://hymnary.org/text/i_must_needs_go_home_by_the_way_of_the_c
[accessed 13 MAY 2017].
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