What does Philippians 3:20 Mean?

Study Notes

Saviour
See note, .

salvation

The Heb. and (Greek - ἀλεκτοροφωνία , safety, preservation, healing, and soundness). Salvation is the great inclusive word of the Gospel, gathering into itself all the redemptive acts and processes: as justification, redemption, grace, propitiation, imputation, forgiveness, sanctification, and glorification. Salvation is in three tenses:

(1) The believer has been saved from the guilt and penalty of sin Luke 7:50 ; 1 Corinthians 1:18 ; 2 Corinthians 2:15 ; Ephesians 2:5 ; Ephesians 2:8 ; 2 Timothy 1:9 and is safe.

(2) the believer is being saved from the habit and dominion of sin Romans 6:14 ; Philippians 1:19 ; Philippians 2:12 ; Philippians 2:13 ; 2 Thessalonians 2:13 ; Romans 8:2 ; Galatians 2:19 ; Galatians 2:20 ; 2 Corinthians 3:18 .

(3) The believer is to be saved in the sense of entire conformity to Christ. Romans 13:11 ; Hebrews 10:36 ; 1 Peter 1:5 ; 1 John 3:2 . Salvation is by grace through faith, is a free gift, and wholly without works; Romans 3:27 ; Romans 3:28 ; Romans 4:1-8 ; Romans 6:23 ; Ephesians 2:8 . The divine order is: first salvation, then works; Ephesians 2:9 ; Ephesians 2:10 ; Titus 3:5-8 .

Verse Meaning

The reason we should follow Paul"s example and not that of these sensualists is that as Christians we have a citizenship in heaven as well as one on earth. Our heavenly citizenship and destiny are far more important than our brief earthly sojourn (cf. Galatians 4:26; Hebrews 11:10). The Roman citizenship the Philippians enjoyed meant a great deal to them ( Acts 16:12; Acts 16:21). All believers need to learn to live as foreigners and pilgrims on this earth ( Hebrews 11:13; 1 Peter 2:11). ^[1] [source]

"Jews expect perfection now by keeping the Law; Christians yearn for the future at which time perfection will be achieved." ^[2] [source]

The Greek word apekdechometha, translated "look for," is a strong compound. [source][source]

[source]

"The compound emphasizes the intense yearning for the Parousia ..." ^[3] [source]

"The expectation of the Lord"s personal and imminent return gave joy and power to the early Christians and to the Christian communities." ^[4] [source]

"One of the greatest incentives to holiness in the New Testament is that we might be ready for him when he returns." ^[5] [source]

Furthermore it is from our heavenly kingdom that a Savior will come to deliver us out of this present evil world and take us to our home with Him above ( John 14:1-2). The prospect of our Lord"s return should motivate us to live as citizens of heaven even while we are still on earth ( 1 John 3:2-3). [source][source]

[source]

". . . Paul prefers "justification" to describe what has already been done in the Christian by God"s action in Christ, while he reserves "salvation" for what yet remains to be done (Beare; cf. Romans 5:9-10)." ^[6] [source]

Context Summary

The nearer the saint comes to the perfect life, the farther he feels from it. It is only when we have climbed the foothills that we realize how lofty the mountain summits are. But there is no need for discouragement. We have eternity before us, the expanding landscape of truth is our inspiration, and the loving Spirit of God bears us upward on eagle's wings. Our Savior had a distinct purpose in view when He apprehended us. Its full scope was only known to Him; let us strive that we may not fail to realize His ideal. We can do this best by forgetting past failures, past sins, and past successes, and pressing on toward the goal. Will not the prize be the Lord Himself? Let us always remember that God's call is upward. This will help us when there seems collision between two duties.

Instead of judging another, let us walk together along the path of obedience. Those who leave the narrow track and still profess godliness are greater enemies to the Cross than avowed antagonists. We are citizens of the skies, who come forth to spend a few hours each day on earth. This is our inn, yonder is our true home. Thence Jesus will come to complete the work of salvation by giving us a body like His own. [source]

Chapter Summary: Philippians 3

¹  He warns them to beware of the false teachers;
⁴  showing that himself has greater cause than they to trust in the righteousness of the law;
⁷  which he counts as loss, to gain Christ and his righteousness;
¹²  acknowledging his own imperfection and pressing on toward the goal;
¹⁵  He exhorts them to be thus minded;
¹⁷  and to imitate him,
¹⁸  and to decline carnal ways