Philippians - Verse-by-Verse Biblical Exegesis

thinking is sucked into his mind (ματιoτες), and the complete takeover of his soul by the lusts of his
old sin nature (πλεovεξια).
The believer who thinks objectively towards Bible doctrine, conveys such doctrines to his
vocabulary storage (συvεσις). His norms and standards are changed to more closely resemble those
of Christ's (συvειδεσις) and he begins to build a framework consisting of the various categories of
systematic theology (συγκριvω) in the right lobe of his soul (καρδια) in the form of "full knowledge"
(επιγvωσις). The doctrine he has learned and metabolized is now on the launching pad (circle) ready
for application.
STAGE II: Ambassadorship of the Believer
Stage II is the practical application of Bible doctrine (αισθεσις) to the circumstances of life. In order
to be spiritually effective during the most trying of situations, you must enlist the aid of (represented
by a square): God's omnipotent ability to provide unlimited grace (δυvαμις), the operational power
of the Holy Spirit (εvεργεια), the ruling power of the Canon of Scripture (κρατoς), and inner power
through Bible doctrine in the soul (ισχυoς).
Verses 2:14-15 exhort the believer to embody the Christian life outwardly, fulfilling the function of
his ambassadorship. If the four categories of divine power previously mentioned are utilized
(diamond), the believer will produce the fruit (καρπov) of righteousness (δικαιoσυvη) - gold, silver
and precious stones. If the believer misapplies doctrine to a situation and produces only human
works (εργoς), he will receive additional correction, discipline and training (παιδεια) so that he can
try again at a later date and pass the test.
Correct, practical applications produce spiritual phenomena (represented by a rectangle) which
accelerate your growth to maturity (πvευματικoς), while improperly applied applications of doctrine
(another rectangle) produces soulish phenomenon which hinders your growth to maturity (Ψυχικoς).
After continual tests and proper applications of Bible doctrine to experience, the believer approaches
supergrace status.
The first phase of supergrace is αγαπη A (1 st circle), represented by your love "being extremely rich
and abundant" (περισσευω). This is a parallel to "Christ being formed in you" (Gal. 4:19). It is the
"outer court" of the tabernacle. The second phase of supergrace is αγαπη B (2 nd circle), represented
by your love abounding "still more" (ετι μαλλov). This is a parallel to "Christ at home in your body"
(Eph. 3:16,17). It is the "inner court" of the tabernacle. The third phase of supergrace is αγαπη C (3 rd
circle), represented by your love abounding "even to a greater degree" (και μαλλov). This is a
parallel to "Christ being glorified in your person" (Phil. 1:20,21). This is the "holiest place" in the
tabernacle.
Phil.3:10-17 can be viewed as an expansion of verses 1:9-11, which is worded so as to alert Paul's
readers to the significant role played by the knowledge of Christ, particularly as it bears on the
doctrine of sanctification.