Paul – Page 4 – Three Minute Bible

October 20, 2025October 20, 2025

Philippians 3:10a – Life & Death

a picture of a wilderness scene at sunset. In the center of the image stands a doorframe by itself. The door is open and a bright white light beams out through the doorframe into the twilight. (Grok)

I want to know Christ—

Summary: Paul has been talking about his relationship with Jesus. In this passage, he looks forward to something most people fear.

These five words, “I want to know Christ —,“ are a stunning statement coming from a man who has actually MET the risen Lord Jesus (Acts 9). He was personally chosen by Jesus to be the Apostle to the Gentile world (Acts 9:15). Paul received his Gospel by direct revelation from Christ (Titus 1:3). Paul knows Christ rather well.

October 15, 2025October 15, 2025

Philippians 3:8b – All Things

… for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage…

Summary: Paul’s assessment of the things in his life gives us a reason to pause and consider what it is that we value, too.

Sometimes people say things and they don’t really mean it.

For example, if I said, “If I don’t get to go on vacation soon, I’m just going to die!,” you would understand that I am exaggerating. Some call it hyperbole. Everyone “get’s it.”

October 10, 2025October 11, 2025

Philippians 3:6a – Flipped

Picture of a gold coin marked with a cross and the words "IN GOD WE TRUST" (Grok)

… as for zeal, persecuting the church;

Summary: Paul’s zeal for persecuting the church provides a window into who Paul is and the depth of his love for God.

The keyword in this passage is “zeal,” so let’s take a closer look at what it means.

Interestingly, the Greek word for “zeal” is very similar to our English word. In Greek, the word is “zẽlos.” (Zee, I told you! 🙂 )

October 8, 2025October 8, 2025

Philippians 3:5d – He Had it All

Picture of a cup of coffee (AI/ Pixabay)

… a Hebrew of Hebrews…

Summary: Paul’s description of himself as a “Hebrew of Hebrews” is not just a casual reference. The phrasing itself echoes Hebrew history and culture.

I am fairly certain that no one has ever claimed to be a “Norwegian of Norwegians.”

My parents were both Scandinavian, but pure bloodlines are not something that our culture values these days. It is okay to be part this and part that. Most of us are of mixed blood.

October 7, 2025October 7, 2025

Philippians 3:5c – The Tribe That Almost Wasn’t

Hebrew man thinking about the past. (AI - Pixabay)

… of the tribe of Benjamin…

Summary: Paul’s reference to the tribe of Benjamin was, no doubt, a point of pride. Yet, when we look at this history of Benjamin’s people, we find a sordid past overshadowing the good.

Our last meditation points out how God made the Hebrews keep a record of every major thing they did wrong. Even though Israel was blessed by God (Genesis 32:26-28), she continued to poke God in the eye every chance they got by doing the opposite of what God told them to do.

October 3, 2025October 3, 2025

Philippians 3:4c – The Flesh, Part 2

Picture of a butterfly and its chrysalis (Pixabay)

[If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in] the flesh, I have more:

Summary: Following up on our last meditation, we take a more detailed look at the specifics of what the flesh is and how it relates to our spirit.

In our last meditation, we looked at the concept of the flesh metaphorically. In this one, let’s take a more objective look through the lens of Scripture.

October 2, 2025October 2, 2025

Philippians 3:4c – The Flesh

A cartoon fish swims in the water with a mirror version of itself flying above (GROK)

[If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in] the flesh, I have more:

Summary: Understanding Paul’s language sometimes requires that we know Jesus to know what he is talking about.

Here is an interesting fact: To understand the “flesh,” you first have to be in the “spirit.”

What does that mean? Let’s use fish for an example.

September 12, 2025September 12, 2025

Philippians 3:2a – Old and New

a stone bridge between to land masses. The side of the bridge spells out the word "HISTORY." It is a symbolic connection between the old a the new. In the middle of the bridge is the cross and the on the cross is Jesus. (Grok)

For it is we who are the circumcision…

Summary: Understanding what Paul means by “we who are the circumcision” requires a brief look back at the history of the Bible.

In the Old Testament, circumcision was given by God to Abraham and every male that was with him (Genesis 17:10). When we talk about circumcision of the flesh in the Old Testament sense, we are talking about something that is uniquely male. Interestingly, when we talk about circumcision in the New Testament sense, it can apply to both men and women.

September 11, 2025September 11, 2025

Philippians 3:2 – Fighting Words

AI Picture of vicious "dogs" to illustrate Paul's words. (Grok)

Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh.

Summary: Paul’s use of name-calling serves a specific purpose, and it might not be what you expect.

There is a saying I remember from childhood when someone had harsh words to say about someone else — they would say, “Them’s fighting words!” If somebody were to call you a “dog,” you might feel inclined to defend your honor. If so, that is because “dog,” “evildoer,” and “mutilator of the flesh” all fall into the “fighting words” category.

September 10, 2025September 11, 2025

Philippians 3:1b – Authority and Clarity

Picture of a pen and paper with writing on it (Pixabay)

It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.

Summary: This passage leaves us with both questions and answers. If done cautiously, it can be constructive to consider why Paul wrote what he did.

I notice that Paul says he is writing “again.”

Do you ever wonder what happened to Paul’s first letter to the Philippians?* I suppose that it must have been lost or misplaced. Perhaps, at some point, people started realizing that Paul’s letters were valuable.