occasions '. His moral qualities also might well be valuable in his sight : for though no strictness of principles, probity of conduct, or zeal for religion, could recommend him God, yet they were ample testimonies of the integrity of his heart. His religious attainments were still more deserving estimation ; for though not meritorious in the sight of God, they tended greatly to the glory of God, and the edification of the church, and were undoubted evidences of his meetness for heaven. Well therefore might he rejoice, as he did, in the testimony of a good conscience*.]
But he possessed something of incomparably greater value than these things, as will appear, if we inquire,
II. What that was which he preferred before them —
The Apostle had happily attained the knowledge of Christ—
[A mere general uninteresting knowledge of Chi'ist would not have been very high in his esteem : that, which he pos- sessed, was distinct and experimental. He saw Christ as God, equal with the Father, though appearing in the form of a servant1 : he beheld him sustaining various offices in the economy of redemption, and executing them for his people's good. He beheld him as the " Christ" " anointed by the Spirit to preach glad tidings to the meek ;"" as " Jesus," the person commissioned to " save men from their sins ;" and as " the Lord" who was constituted the living Head, the Su- preme Governor, and the righteous Judge of his redeemed people.
But not even this distinct knowledge would have been valued by him, if it had not also been experimental. The expressions following the text respecting his " winning Christ, and being found in him, and knowing him in the power of his resurrection," evidently imply that he tasted a sweetness, and felt a peculiar efficacy, in this knowledge. He found by happy experience that he had communion with Christ in his offices"1. He saw Christ not merely as a Prophet, a Priest, or a King, but as that very Teacher who had opened his eyes ; that very Lamb that had taken away his sins ; that very Head, to whom he himself was vitally united, and from whom he derived all his supplies of grace and strength. Hence in speaking of Christ he calls him, " Christ Jesus my Lord."]
1 Thrice he quoted the Greek poets in confirmation of the truth : and took advantage of his knowledge of the Greek language to oppose more successfully the heathen idolatry. Acts xvii. 23.
k 2 Cor. i. 12. » Phil. ii. 6, 7. rn 1 John i. 3.