Philippians 3 8

Philippians 3:8 kjv

Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

Philippians 3:8 nkjv

Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ

Philippians 3:8 niv

What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ

Philippians 3:8 esv

Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ

Philippians 3:8 nlt

Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ

Philippians 3 verses

Philippians 3 8 Meaning

In Philippians 3:8, Paul passionately articulates a radical re-evaluation of all that he once held valuable, concluding that everything—his religious credentials, achievements, and perceived righteousness—is utterly worthless when compared to the supreme, incomparable treasure of knowing Jesus Christ as his personal Lord. This knowledge is not merely intellectual, but an intimate, experiential relationship that surpasses all other things in worth. Consequently, he embraced actual suffering and material loss, willingly abandoning his former gains, considering them as mere refuse, with the singular purpose of truly possessing and being found in Christ.

Philippians 3 8 Context

Philippians 3:8 is a powerful declaration embedded within a section where Paul fervently warns the Philippian believers against Judaizing teachers—those who insisted that Gentiles needed to observe Jewish laws, such as circumcision, in addition to faith in Christ, for salvation. Paul passionately contrasts his former life, lived under the Mosaic Law and characterized by immense religious privilege and scrupulous observance (Php 3:4-6), with his current spiritual reality. He outlines his impeccable Jewish lineage and Pharisaic zeal, effectively demonstrating that if anyone had grounds for "boasting in the flesh," it was he. However, he immediately rejects all these former gains, presenting them as utterly worthless in light of Christ. Verse 7 initiates this radical reversal, stating he counted as "loss" what was once "gain." Verse 8 then intensifies and clarifies why and how deeply this re-evaluation has taken place, leading to a profound personal commitment to gaining Christ above all else. Historically, this polemic was crucial for the early church to clarify salvation through grace by faith, against tendencies towards legalism or merging with established religious systems.

Philippians 3 8 Word analysis

• Indeed, I count (ἔγω τε μὲν οὖν καὶ ἡγοῦμαι - egō te men oun kai hēgoumai):
  • ἔγω (egō): Emphatic first-person singular pronoun "I," highlighting Paul's personal and deliberate decision. It contrasts sharply with the "many" or "those who" (implying false teachers).
  • ἡγοῦμαι (hēgoumai): A verb meaning "to lead, guide, consider, think, regard." It signifies a reasoned judgment, a settled conviction, a considered perspective, rather than a fleeting emotion. It's a continuous present tense, indicating this is an ongoing and fixed valuation.
• everything as loss (πάντα ζημίαν εἶναι - panta zēmian einai):
  • πάντα (panta): The comprehensive plural, meaning "all things," leaving nothing out. This includes Paul's impressive heritage, achievements, and legal righteousness listed in verses 5-6.
  • ζημίαν (zēmian): Means "loss, damage, injury, disadvantage." It often has commercial connotations, implying a deficit, something thrown overboard from a ship in a storm to save the rest, or a financial setback. Paul sees his former assets as a detrimental liability.
• because of the surpassing worth (διὰ τὸ ὑπερέχον - dia to hyperechon):
  • διὰ (dia): "Because of, on account of." Introduces the foundational reason for Paul's radical re-evaluation.
  • ὑπερέχον (hyperechon): An adjective used substantively, meaning "surpassing, excelling, preeminent, outstanding." It speaks of something superior in rank, quality, or power. It conveys the idea of an overwhelming, supreme value that dwarfs everything else.
• of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord (τῆς γνώσεως Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ τοῦ Κυρίου μου - tēs gnōseōs Christou Iēsou tou Kyriou mou):
  • γνώσεως (gnōseōs): "Knowledge." In this context, it refers not to mere intellectual assent but to a deep, experiential, personal, and transformative relationship. It's knowing Christ intimately, as one knows a person through living interaction and fellowship. This profound knowing impacts one's identity and life.
  • Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ τοῦ Κυρίου μου (Christou Iēsou tou Kyriou mou): This full title underscores His dual nature as Messiah (Christ), human (Jesus), and ultimate sovereign (my Lord). "My Lord" makes it intensely personal, signifying submission and devotion to His authority.
• For his sake (δι᾽ ὅν - di' hon):
  • δι᾽ ὅν (di' hon): "On account of whom," referring directly to Christ. It indicates that Christ is the supreme motivation and ultimate goal for Paul's radical choices and experiences.
• I have suffered the loss of all things (τὰ πάντα ἐζημιώθην - ta panta ezēmiōthēn):
  • ἐζημιώθην (ezēmiōthēn): A passive verb from zemia (loss), here translated "I have suffered the loss." It implies that these losses were actual experiences in Paul's life (imprisonments, beatings, hunger, social ostracization – 2 Cor 11:23-28). The perfect tense indicates a completed action with continuing results. This wasn't hypothetical; he actually experienced these things.
• and count them as rubbish (καὶ ἡγοῦμαι σκύβαλα - kai hēgoumai skybala):
  • ἡγοῦμαι (hēgoumai): Again, the active, deliberate, ongoing evaluation, confirming his present mindset.
  • σκύβαλα (skybala): This is a potent and vulgar term. It literally means "refuse, waste, dung, human excrement, offscouring, dregs." It conveys utter contempt and worthlessness, something disgusting to be cast away. Paul doesn't just call his former achievements "loss," but actively degrades them to the level of spiritual filth that he eagerly discards. This highlights his vehement rejection of self-righteousness.
• in order that I may gain Christ (ἵνα Χριστὸν κερδήσω - hina Christon kerdēsō):
  • ἵνα (hina): This introduces the clear purpose and objective behind all of Paul's actions and radical valuations.
  • κερδήσω (kerdēsō): "To gain, acquire, profit, win." It carries commercial overtones, portraying a trade-off. Paul exchanges everything perceived as gain, including his own merit, for the ultimate and real gain—Christ Himself. This gain is both positional (being found in Him) and relational (deepening the knowledge of Him).

Words-Group Analysis:

• "Indeed, I count everything as loss": This phrase introduces Paul's absolute and considered judgment. "Everything" signifies comprehensive renunciation, including his esteemed heritage, religious performance, and social standing. He sees these past advantages not as neutral, but as actual detriments.
• "because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord": This is the theological foundation and driving motivation for Paul's radical revaluation. The superlative worth of an intimate, personal knowledge of Christ as his own Lord overrides all other considerations. This "knowing" implies experience, relationship, and fellowship with the glorified Christ.
• "For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish": This moves from a philosophical valuation to an experiential reality. Paul isn't just saying he thinks they are loss, but that he has actively suffered actual loss for Christ's sake. He further degrades them with the vulgar "rubbish" to convey his complete disdain for anything that competes with Christ, particularly human merits.
• "in order that I may gain Christ": This articulates the ultimate goal. The preceding radical sacrifices and re-evaluations are not an end in themselves, but a purposeful means to achieve the supreme goal: possessing Christ, being identified with Him, and sharing in His life and righteousness.

Philippians 3 8 Bonus section

The intense language Paul employs in this verse is not merely rhetorical but reflects a profound spiritual and existential shift. The polemic against "boasting in the flesh" is significant, as human pride often seeks to establish a righteousness apart from God's grace, thereby diminishing Christ's exclusive role in salvation. Paul’s transition from a rigorous Pharisee who saw the Law as his life to one who viewed it as detrimental if relied upon for salvation underscores the central theme of the New Covenant: salvation is by grace through faith alone, a gift not earned. The 'gain Christ' goal encompasses more than just intellectual belief; it implies a living union, participation in His suffering and resurrection (Php 3:10-11), and ultimately, complete conformity to Him. This passage has served as a touchstone for countless believers through history, challenging them to re-evaluate their own allegiances and truly prioritize Christ above all personal, social, or worldly advantages.

Philippians 3 8 Commentary

Philippians 3:8 serves as a profoundly personal manifesto from Paul, detailing his radical re-calibration of values from a worldly, self-focused, and legalistic perspective to an utterly Christ-centered one. Paul's use of "count" (hēgoumai) highlights a deliberate, rational, and ongoing decision, not a momentary sentiment. What was once "gain" (v. 7)—his esteemed Jewish pedigree, zealous adherence to the Law, and impeccable religious performance—he now categorizes as absolute "loss" because of the overwhelmingly superior value of an intimate, experiential "knowing Christ Jesus my Lord." This "knowing" is not intellectual ascent but a transformative, life-defining relationship. This theological truth then manifested in his personal life, where he indeed suffered the loss of all things (reputation, freedom, comfort) for Christ's sake. His former life's "gains" are reduced to "rubbish" (skybala), a stark term revealing their complete worthlessness and his utter revulsion when compared to Christ. The ultimate purpose of this profound self-denial and loss is explicitly stated: "in order that I may gain Christ"—to be in perfect union with Him, receive His righteousness, and experience the fullness of His salvation. This verse stands as a core declaration of Christian priorities, where anything competing with Christ for ultimate devotion must be willingly abandoned and utterly despised for the surpassing glory of God found in Him.