Ver. 8.-Tlte excellency of the knowledge of CJhrist. "I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord." I. THE KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST. 1. It implies a knowledge of the way of salvation, the Word of God being our guide. (Rom. x. 17.) Eternal life hinges upon it. "This is life eternal, to know thee the ouly true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent" (John xvii. 3). It is by this knowledge we are justified. "By his knowledge shall my righteous Servant justify many" (Isa. !iii. 11). 2. It implies an experi- mental acquaintance with liim. It is he himself who gives us the knowledge of himseli'. "He hath given us an understanding that we may know him who is true" (1 John v. 20). We thus realize Christ in pardoning mercy, in subduing grace, in abiding peace. II. THE EXCELLENCY OF THIS KNOWLEDGE. This may be set forth either positively by the nature and effects of the knowledge in question, or by contrn.sting it with all the things the apostle classes among "loss." 1. Positively. (1) The experience of all God's people attests its excellence. (2) The Word of God proclaims its excellence (Jer. ix. 24), (3) It is through this knowled.ge we become partakers of the Divine nature (2 Pet. i. 3). (4) It is by it we are enabled to escape the corruptions of the world (2 Pet. ii. 20). 2. By contrast with all things classed as loss. "I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord." He had al.ready included in this class all the distinguishing privileges and prerogatives of his Jewish descent, as well as three points in his personal character which, as a ~ew, he had n~ade the subject of boasting. But he now expands the language so as to rnclude all thmgs whatsoever, conceivable or inconceivable, as lying under the category of loss. Every- thing was valueless under the sun when weighed against the knowledge of Christ. Ill. 'THE APOSTLE'S OONSCIOUSNESS OF HIS POSSESSING Cm\IST. "Christ Jesus my Lord." 'l'his is the happy language of assurance. IV. H,s PRESENT AND ADIDING 81,JNSE OF THE EXCELLENOY OF THIS JL'i;OWLEDGE. He spoke before in the past tense, "I counted these things loss for Christ." He now gives us his present judgment respecting the whole momentous concern, "I do count them but loss and dung."-'T. C.
Vers. 8-11.-The true ground of a sinner's hope. The apostle t~en sets forth, in very impressive terms, the familiar way of salvation: '.' T~at l may gam Christ, and. be round in him not havin" mine own ri.,hteousness, which 1s of the Law, but that w\i,ch is throuah th~ faith of Cl1rist the ri.,htoousness of God by faith." Considcr- L c1:it1BT THE PRESENT G.IIN A'im THE PnESENT SH~:LTER OF TlU: Sl.~ER. The 124 THE EPISTLE TO THE PHILlPPIANS. [err. 111. 1-21.