Philippians 3:9
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)
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Paul isn't just saying he doesn't have his own righteousness; he's actively wanting to be "found" in Christ, not even possessing a righteousness of his own, as if it were something he might have forgotten or misplaced. This highlights how radical Paul's transformation was – he didn't just switch allegiances, he fundamentally abandoned the idea that his own efforts could ever count as divine righteousness.
Paul is vehemently warning the Philippian believers against those who insisted on following Jewish law for salvation. He contrasts his own hard-won confidence in his legalistic efforts (which he now considers worthless garbage) with the true righteousness that comes only through faith in Christ.
Imagine standing on the day of judgment. What will the verdict be based on? Paul declares his confidence isn't in himself, but in being 'found in Him.'
Paul's desire to be 'found in Him' speaks to a deep, settled assurance that transcends his own actions. It's not about a final inspection of his performance, but about being discovered in union with Christ.
A Relational Standing
This 'being found' isn't a passive state, but a relational one. It means that when God looks, He sees Paul not as an isolated individual, but as one united to Jesus. This union is the very ground of his security.
Beyond Our Performance
Paul contrasts this with relying on his 'own righteousness.' This refers to any attempt to earn God's favor through his own efforts, achievements, or adherence to religious rules. His ultimate confidence rests not on what he has done, but on who Christ is and what Christ has accomplished, in which Paul is now included.
Paul once excelled by the law, yet he dismisses it as worthless for salvation. Why would someone so dedicated to religious observance abandon it entirely?
The 'righteousness of my own that comes from the law' represents the human attempt to achieve a right standing with God through perfect obedience to religious rules and regulations.
The Law's True Purpose
The Law, given by God, has a crucial role: it reveals God's perfect standard and exposes our inability to meet it. It shows us our sin and our need for a Savior.
An Insufficient Standard
Paul recognized that no amount of human effort could ever perfectly fulfill the law's demands. Relying on it for justification is like trying to build a skyscraper on sand – it's bound to fail. This 'law-righteousness' is ultimately empty and insufficient for appearing before a holy God.
Understand the original words
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 fervent pursuit of righteousness through the Law, his dramatic conversion, and the ongoing debates in the early church about salvation all frame his powerful declaration in Philippians 3:9. He contrasts his former, self-achieved righteousness with the divine righteousness received as a gift through faith in Christ.
c. AD 33-36— this verse
Paul's Conversion on the Road to Damascus
Saul of Tarsus, a fervent Pharisee dedicated to enforcing Jewish law, encounters the resurrected Jesus. This transformative event marks a radical shift in his understanding of righteousness and salvation.
c. AD 48-49
Council of Jerusalem
A pivotal council where apostles debated whether Gentile believers needed to follow Jewish law. The decision affirmed that salvation comes through faith in Christ, not by adherence to the Law of Moses, a theme central to Paul's message.
c. AD 50-52
Paul's Ministry in Corinth
During his time in Corinth, Paul likely wrote his letters to the Thessalonians. He faced opposition from those who insisted on the necessity of Jewish law for salvation, reinforcing his arguments for justification by faith.
c. AD 54-56
Imprisonment in Rome
While under house arrest in Rome, Paul penned letters to Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. His reflections often addressed the tension between his past legalistic striving and his present, faith-based righteousness in Christ.
This passage directly parallels the idea of a righteousness that comes from God, received through faith in Jesus Christ, contrasting it with any self-achieved righteousness.
Galatians 2:16Here Paul explicitly states that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Christ, echoing the core theme of Philippians 3:9.
Romans 10:3This verse highlights the Jewish people's attempt to establish their own righteousness by following the law, setting up a direct contrast to the righteousness that comes from God through faith.
Jeremiah 23:6This prophetic passage speaks of God's provision for His people: 'The LORD is our righteousness,' pointing forward to the ultimate source of righteousness found in Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:21This verse beautifully illustrates the concept of imputation, stating that God made Christ, who knew no sin, to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God, which aligns with the idea of God's righteousness given through faith.
vincentPhilippians 3:9: "And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:"
Be found (εὑρεθῶ)Discovered or proved to be. See on Philippians 2:8. Compare Romans 7:10; Galatians 2:17.Mine own righteousness (ἐμὴν δικαιοσύνην)Rev., correctly, a righteousness of mine own. The A.V. would require the article with ἐμὴν mine, and assumes the existence of a personal righteousness; whereas…
barnesPhilippians 3:9: "And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:"
And be found in him - That is, united to him by a living faith. The idea is, that when the investigations of the great day should take place in regard to the ground of salvation, it might be found that he was united to the Redeemer and depended solely on his merits for salvation; compare the notes at John 6:56…
Paul isn't just saying he doesn't have his own righteousness; he's actively wanting to be "found" in Christ, not even possessing a righteousness of his own, as if it were something he might have forgotten or misplaced. This highlights how radical Paul's transformation was – he didn't just switch allegiances, he fundamentally abandoned the idea that his own efforts could ever count as divine righteousness.
Paul is vehemently warning the Philippian believers against those who insisted on following Jewish law for salvation. He contrasts his own hard-won confidence in his legalistic efforts (which he now considers worthless garbage) with the true righteousness that comes only through faith in Christ.
Paul is vehemently warning the Philippian believers against those who insisted on following Jewish law for salvation. He contrasts his own hard-won confidence in his legalistic efforts (which he now considers worthless garbage) with the true righteousness that comes only through faith in Christ.
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The righteousness that truly matters doesn't come from us; it's a gift 'from God' that 'depends on faith.' What does this divine gift entail?
The passage presents a stunning exchange: our sin for Christ's righteousness. The righteousness Paul now relies on originates entirely from God and is received solely through faith.
God's Initiative
This righteousness isn't earned; it's imputed – credited to our account by God. It's His declaration that, because of Christ's sacrifice, believers are seen as righteous in His eyes, despite their own failings.
The Role of Faith
Faith is the hand that receives this divine gift. It's not about a strong personal belief system, but about trusting in Jesus Christ and His atoning work. This faith is the condition by which God grants us His own perfect righteousness.
"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—" — Paul isn't just saying he doesn't have his own righteousness; he's actively wanting to be "found" in Christ, not even possessing a righteousness of his own, as if it were something he might have…
