EXCELLENCY OF KNOWLEDGE

EXCELLENCY OF KNOWLEDGE

"Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord." (Phil 3:8)

SOME THINGS ARE "LOST" because they are taken away by someone else. Scripture calls this "the spoiling of your goods" (Heb 10:34). It is when a person is plundered or robbed, when possessions are forcefully taken from him against his will. But this is NOT the kind of loss to which our text refers. Here, things were "counted" or "considered" a loss. They were actually still available to Paul, but he forfeited them in preference of something else. He lost them by choice. He chose to take hold of something else.

THE WORD "LOSS" ALSO CARRIES THE THOUGHT of disadvantage, something that worsens our situation. In this case Paul takes "everything" apart from Christ, regardless of its seeming value, and considers it a loss, disadvantage, and something potentially damaging.

THIS IS NOT INTENDED TO BE AN ACADEMIC DEFINITION. Rather, it is a comparison – a judgment made when "everything" else is laid along side "the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord." Paul has already told us this was his manner of thinking when his life in Christ began (verse 7). Now he tells us it is still the way he thinks.

IN THE WORLD IT IS POSSIBLE to get swept up in momentary pleasures, forgetting essential and profitable things. When we then come to our senses, we regret that we were so distracted as to forget important matters. But this is not the situation in this text. The things counted loss were REALLY inferior and unworthy of being at the center of our thinking. Something better in every sense of the word has been found.

AND WHAT IS THE BETTER THING? It is "the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord." It is "the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord" (KJV). This "knowledge" is not surpassing or more excellent in appearance, but in reality. It is a superior knowledge and experience with which nothing can favorably compare. Here we see a person can be in Christ and acknowledge Him as Lord, yet be lacking in personal acquaintance with Christ.

REDEMPTION HAS MADE JESUS MORE ACCESSIBLE to the saved than ordinarily perceived. Far too much contemporary religion allows the individual to remain at a comfortable distance from Christ, not coming into the greatness of the knowledge and fellowship available to us.

"THE KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST JESUS" is not scholastic knowledge or erudition. That kind of knowledge does not satiate the soul or gladden the heart. This is fellowship with Christ, into which we have been called (1 Cor 1:9). It speaks of a relationship where Christ "manifests" Himself to the individual (John 14:21). It is where the individual actually "learns" from Christ (Matt 11:29) and is "taught by Him" (Eph 4:21). This is transforming and empowering knowledge.

THERE IS SATISFACTION IN THIS KNOWLEDGE that brings great peace, joy, and stability to the soul. It equips the person to live triumphantly in this world, serving the Lord with gladness and singleness of heart. This knowledge is, in fact, nothing less than "eternal life" (John 17:3; 1 John 5:20). It is confirmed to be the superior knowledge by experience alone. This is the knowledge referenced in Ephesians 3:19: "And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge." It is the personal and revitalizing experience of Christ's love.

– Given O. Blakely