To my knowledge, among those Christians who are in the Word in a consistent way, many would say Philippians 3 is one of their favorite chapters in the entire Bible. That’s because, more than any other portion of Scripture, it shows us how to pursue, gain, and ultimately, come to know, Christ.

We may say that verses 7 to 11 of this chapter, which is where Paul really speaks of pursuing Christ, is the heart of the chapter, its central content. And like so many other believers, it is this portion, along with Paul’s further word in verses 12-14 about his continued pursuing, that causes me to treasure Philippians 3.

But recently I have continued spending time in this chapter to prepare for our online Bible study of it (see below), and so just this morning I realized something more about it. That is, while that portion may be the central content of Philippians 3, it does not tell us why the apostle was so burdened to write to the saints in Philippi as he did.

That comes in a later verse, which gives us the real key to understanding this chapter as a whole. After speaking so much of his own pursuing of Christ, Paul exhorts the saints in this way:

Brothers, be imitators of me, and look to those who so walk, even as you have us as a pattern….
— Philippians 3:17

Here is the key: Paul was not just speaking to the saints about pursuing Christ in a general way, but rather, he wrote to them out of his profound concern for their going on with the Lord in a healthy way. And at this point in his letter, he was especially concerned that they might be influenced by the hostile ones and negative ones they saw around them. Thus, as the antidote to such a situation, Paul in this chapter presented himself to the saints there as one who took pursuing, gaining, and knowing Christ as his unique goal. In doing so, he was encouraging the saints to also pursue Christ—not as a matter of law, but according to what they themselves had attained (vv. 15-16).

How sweet is the book of Philippians! And one of the main factors of this sweetness is the intimate relationship between the apostle and the saints in Philippi. He was deeply connected to them, and so in his letter he was not merely teaching the saints, but shepherding them in Christ. And here, in verse 17, we see this intimate relationship expressed again in his concern for them.

On the one hand, there was the evil influence of the Judaizers, who were mainly outside of the fellowship (vv. 2-3). On the other hand, there was the negative pattern of those who, while they were mainly, it seems, within the church, were nonetheless those who “mind the earthly things” (3:18-19); such ones could seriously damage the saints around them, which was something the apostle could not and would not tolerate. In fact, over and over again through the centuries, this kind of situation has frustrated the saints from pursuing Christ in a healthy way.

Thus, Paul was burdened to show the saints a healthy pattern, so they would know the proper way to live in the church, that is, as those who are focused on pursuing Christ. And that is why he wrote this chapter.

And as a further antidote, he concludes it by reminding the saints that

…our commonwealth is in the heavens, from which also we eagerly await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
— Philippians 3:20

So, if we are truly pursuing Christ, we must be those who are not merely believing in or even hoping for the the Lord’s return, but rather, those who are “eagerly awaiting” His return!

Lord, make us those who today give heed to the apostle’s deep concern! Save us from the hostile and negative patterns around us, and grant us to follow the apostle’s own, positive pattern, to pursue You and eagerly await Your return as we should!

Note: Our online
Bible study on Philippians 3
will continue this coming
Wednesday evening, the 20th;
you can still register,
if you’d like to join us, here:
“Pursuing Christ
to Know Him.”

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— 16 May 2026 —