Philippians 3:8-9
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
Paul isn't just saying he gave things up; he's saying he actively suffered the loss of them, a more passive and involuntary action that underscores the external forces that stripped him of his former status. Then, with an even stronger emphasis, he declares he counts these past losses as "rubbish" or "dung," a visceral image of utter worthlessness, all so he can gain Christ.
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 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is contrasting his previous achievements and status as a zealous Pharisee with the incomparable value of knowing Christ. He argues that everything he once cherished—his heritage, religious achievements, and reputation—is worthless and even detrimental compared to the profound, transformative knowledge of Jesus. He declares that he has willingly suffered the loss of all these things and considers them mere refuse, all for the singular purpose of gaining Christ.
Paul doesn't just say knowing Christ is good; he calls it 'surpassing worth.' What does that mean, and why is it worth losing everything for?
Paul is making an radical comparison here. He's not just comparing Christianity to other religions, or Jesus to other teachers. He's comparing the knowledge of Christ to everything else the world offers.
A New Standard
When Paul talks about the 'excellency' or 'surpassing worth' of knowing Christ, he's establishing a new, divine standard. Think of it like this: if you have a diamond that's incredibly rare and valuable, you wouldn't trade it for a handful of pebbles, even if those pebbles looked pretty.
Paul sees all his former achievements, his religious status, his heritage – everything he once valued – as worthless compared to truly knowing Jesus. This isn't just intellectual knowledge; it's a deep, personal, transformative relationship with the Lord.
Paul goes from calling things 'loss' to calling them 'rubbish' or 'dung.' Why the escalation, and what does this extreme language reveal?
The intensity of Paul's language here—'rubbish,' 'dung,' 'refuse'—shows just how utterly he has re-evaluated everything.
From Loss to Loathing
Calling something 'loss' implies it's a negative outcome, something you're worse off for having. But calling it 'rubbish' implies it's not just a loss, but something disgusting, worthless, and even offensive when considered alongside the value of Christ.
Ask a follow-up
Paul isn't just willing to give things up; he counts them as vile because they distract from or compete with his gain in Christ. This isn't about self-punishment; it's about a profound and joyful reordering of his priorities. He suffered the loss of these things (it happened), but he counts them as rubbish (his current perspective and attitude). This choice is an active pursuit of gaining Christ.
After discarding everything, Paul's goal is singular: 'to gain Christ.' What does it truly mean to 'gain' Christ, and how does this redefine ultimate success?
The whole point of Paul's radical re-evaluation is the singular pursuit of 'gaining Christ.' This isn't just about adding Jesus to his life; it's about making Him the supreme possession and center of his existence.
More Than a Transaction
To 'gain Christ' means to have Him as your own—your Savior, your Lord, your righteousness, your sanctification, your redemption. It's about entering into a deep, abiding union with Him where His life becomes your life.
This pursuit redefines success entirely. Worldly success is measured by accumulation—possessions, status, achievements. Spiritual success, as Paul illustrates, is measured by possession of Christ, even if it means losing everything else. It's the ultimate trade: shedding the temporary and worthless for the eternal and infinitely valuable.
Understand the original words
skybalon · Greek Noun
Excrement, refuse, or garbage; used figuratively to describe something utterly worthless, discarded, and repulsive when compared to the value of knowing Christ.
pistis · Greek Noun
Believing, trusting, or firm persuasion in God's promises and the person of Jesus; it is the instrument through which God's grace and righteousness are received.
Paul's intense declaration in Philippians 3:8 reflects the radical re-evaluation of his entire life following his conversion. Everything he once valued – his status, his heritage, his achievements – became utterly worthless compared to the profound, life-transforming knowledge of Jesus Christ.
c. 33 AD— this verse
Paul's Conversion on the Road to Damascus
Saul of Tarsus, a zealous Pharisee actively persecuting early Christians, has a dramatic encounter with the resurrected Jesus. This event fundamentally transforms his life and understanding.
c. 33-36 AD
Paul's Initial Retreat and Ministry
After his conversion, Paul withdraws to Arabia for a period before returning to Damascus and then traveling to Jerusalem and Tarsus. He begins to preach the gospel he once sought to destroy, often facing opposition.
c. 47-49 AD
First Missionary Journey
Paul, along with Barnabas, embarks on a significant journey through Asia Minor, establishing churches and facing challenges from both Jewish and Gentile communities. This period solidifies his role as an apostle to the Gentiles.
c. 50 AD
Jerusalem Council
A critical council convenes in Jerusalem to address the issue of Gentile inclusion in the early church. The decision affirms that salvation comes through faith in Christ, not adherence to Jewish law, a key theme in Paul's ministry.
c. 53-57 AD
Second and Third Missionary Journeys
Paul undertakes further extensive travels, strengthening existing churches and founding new ones throughout the Roman Empire. These journeys are marked by intense preaching, teaching, and enduring hardship.
c. 60-62 AD
Paul's Imprisonment in Rome
Paul is arrested and sent to Rome to stand trial. During his house arrest, he continues to preach and write letters to various churches, including Philippians.
These parables highlight the immense value of the Kingdom of God, portraying individuals selling everything they possess to obtain it, mirroring Paul's willingness to discard all for Christ.
Psalm 73:25-26This psalm expresses a similar sentiment of God's supreme worth, stating 'Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever,' echoing Paul's ultimate desire for Christ.
Colossians 2:8-10This passage warns against empty philosophies and emphasizes that in Christ, believers are complete, reinforcing the idea that all else is secondary to knowing and possessing Christ.
Luke 14:26-33Jesus' teachings on discipleship here directly address the necessity of 'hating' even one's own life and counting the cost of following Him, which includes forsaking possessions and family, aligning with Paul's radical renunciation.
1 Timothy 6:6-10This passage contrasts contentment with godliness against the love of money and worldly possessions, showing that while such things can be a snare, they pale in comparison to the spiritual riches found in Christ.
vincentPhilippians 3:8: "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,"
Yea doubtless (ἀλλὰ μὲν οὖν)Ἁλλὰ but, Philippians 3:7, puts that verse in direct contrast with the preceding verse. Ἁλλὰ yea or verily, in this verse affirms more than the preceding statement, while οὖν therefore (not rendered), collects and concludes from what…
barnesPhilippians 3:8: "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,"
Yea, doubtless, and I count all things but loss - Not only those things which he had just specified, and which he had himself possessed, he says he would be willing to renounce in order to obtain an interest in the Saviour, but everything which could be imagined. Were all…
Paul isn't just saying he gave things up; he's saying he actively suffered the loss of them, a more passive and involuntary action that underscores the external forces that stripped him of his former status. Then, with an even stronger emphasis, he declares he counts these past losses as "rubbish" or "dung," a visceral image of utter worthlessness, all so he can gain Christ.
Paul is contrasting his previous achievements and status as a zealous Pharisee with the incomparable value of knowing Christ. He argues that everything he once cherished—his heritage, religious achievements, and reputation—is worthless and even detrimental compared to the profound, transformative knowledge of Jesus. He declares that he has willingly suffered the loss of all these things and considers them mere refuse, all for the singular purpose of gaining Christ.
Paul is contrasting his previous achievements and status as a zealous Pharisee with the incomparable value of knowing Christ. He argues that everything he once cherished—his heritage, religious achievements, and reputation—is worthless and even detrimental compared to the profound, transformative knowledge of Jesus. He declares that he has willingly suffered the loss of all these things and considers them mere refuse, all for the singular purpose of gaining Christ.
"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 and be found in him, not hav…" — Paul isn't just saying he gave things up; he's saying he actively suffered the loss of them, a more passive and involuntary action that underscores the external forces that stripped him of his form…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026
