The Excellency of This Knowledge
A. Alexander, D. D. Philippians 3:8 Yes doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord… arises from the fact — I. THAT IN CHRIST ALL DIVINE AND HUMAN EXCELLENCIES ARE COMBINED. Whatever beauty resides in the Divine attributes, for "in Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily," and whatever perfection of human virtues, because He was "holy, harmless, undefiled," etc. II. THAT IT HAS A TRANSFORMING AND ASSIMILATING EFFECT ON ALL WHO BELIEVINGLY CONTEMPLATE IT. "God is love, and he that dwelleth in love," etc. "Beholding His glory, we are transformed," etc. III. IT IS INTIMATELY CONNECTED WITH OUR JUSTIFICATION. As faith is belief of the truth, this knowledge includes it. IV. ITS TENDENCY IS TO GENERATE LIVELY HOPE, AND FILL THE SOUL WITH PEACE AND JOY. V. IT FITS THE SOUL FOR HEAVEN. "This is life eternal," etc. VI. IT WILL BE FOREVER INCREASING. However high the saints may rise, still Christ will be the inexhaustible source of their increase of knowledge. Conclusion: If the knowledge of Christ be so excellent — 1. It should be our constant and vigorous effort to increase in it daily. 2. We should endeavour to extend it to as many of our fellow creatures as we can reach. (A. Alexander, D. D.) I. WHAT KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST IS THAT WHICH IS SO EXCELLENT? It is — 1. Extensive. Apprehending Him as — (1) Christ, i.e., His nature and offices — the anointed Prophet, Priest, and King. (2) Jesus, i.e., His intention and execution of those offices — viz., salvation. (3) Lord, i.e., the consequents of those offices — dominion in Christ, subjection in us (Romans 14:9). Many will take Christ as Saviour who will not own Him as Lord, but this is to apprehend Christ without His crown, and so not an excellent knowledge. 2. Appropriating. The marrow of the gospel lies in the pronouns "my" and "ours." To apprehend Christ yours on good grounds is the excellency of this knowledge. 3. Effectual. It has a powerful efficacy on the heart and life. (1) On the judgment; when this knowledge in Christ is exalted as the chiefest among ten thousand, and the richest treasure esteemed dross in comparison with His riches. (2) On the affections. To kindle desire and raise joy in Christ. (3) On the practice. The profits of sin and its pleasures are renounced as well as self-righteousness. 4. Fiducial. It brings the soul to rest in Christ and His righteousness alone for pardon and acceptance, and to cast away all those rotten proofs of good nature, harmlessness, accomplishments, etc. 6. Useful. He that has it studies to improve Christ, and to use Him for those blessed purposes for which He is given (vers. 9-10). II. WHY THIS KNOWLEDGE IS EXCELLENT. Because — 1. It is that knowledge which the most excellent creatures on earth and the most exalted in heaven desired, obtained, and gloried in. Abraham (John 8:56); Moses (Hebrews 11:26); the Prophets (1 Peter 1:10-11); and Kings (Luke 10:23-24); Paul (1 Corinthians 2:1-2); angels (1 Peter 1:12; Exodus 37:9). 2. In knowing Christ we know the glorious excellencies of God (John 14:7; Colossians 1:15; Hebrews 1:3; 2 Corinthians 4:6). 3. It makes those who have it excellent (2 Corinthians 3:16, 18; 1 John 3:2; Philippians 3:21). Note the degrees by which fallen man is raised by this knowledge. (1) The removal of that which makes him vile (2 Peter 2:20). (2) Partaking of the Divine nature, i.e., of His holiness, the image of God (Colossians 3:10). All things pertaining to life and godliness are given through this knowledge (2 Peter 1:3-4). (3) Investing us with the righteousness of Christ (Isaiah 53:11). (4) Eternal glory (John 17:3). III. CHRIST HIMSELF IS MOST EXCELLENT, THEREFORE THIS KNOWLEDGE IS EXCELLENT KNOWLEDGE. 1. There is nothing in Him but is excellent. There is a mixture in all created beings — the heavens (Job 15:15); angels (Job 4:18); but Christ is altogether lovely and higher than the heavens. 2. All the excellencies that are in the creatures are eminently in Christ. 3. All these excellencies are in Him in a more excellent manner. (1) Perfectly, without a shadow of imperfection. (2) Infinitely, without limit. (3) Unchangeably and eternally. 4. Innumerably more excellencies than are in all creatures together are in Christ alone, for in Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. IV. USES. 1. Reproof to those who neglect or despise this knowledge. (1) Those who are not diligent to get and increase it. No knowledge worth having is to be had without diligence, and how sad that many are so busy about lower knowledge that they say they have no time for this. (2) Those who strive not to communicate this knowledge. To this may be attributed the ruin of families and commonwealths, and lays you under dreadful threatenings. 2. Exhortation. (1) To those that want it — be you persuaded to get it. (2) To those of you who have some of it — grow in it. (3) To attain it. (a) Be convinced of and humbled for your want of it. (b) Lay a good groundwork in the principles of the knowledge of Christ, otherwise you will but build in the air (Hebrews 6:1). (c) Let the Word of God be familiar to you (Colossians 3:16; John 5:39; Deuteronomy 6:6-9). (d) Make use of those who are already acquainted with Christ (Hebrews 10:25; Proverbs 13:20; Proverbs 15:7). (e) Be much in seeking God (James 1:5). (4) To grow in it. (a) Make all your other knowledge subservient to this. See Christ in everything that is good, make your knowledge of what is evil heighten your desire of Christ. (b) Get nearer Him and keep near. (c) Fix the eye of your souls upon Him (Exodus 37:9). Study the excellences of His person, the advantages of His offices, the riches of His grace. (d) Seek it not for curiosity, but that you may enjoy Christ more. (e) Content not yourselves with light without heat. Let every spark of knowledge kindle zeal and love. (f) Live up to the knowledge you have; that is the way to attain more. Let the light that shines in your minds shine in your lives (John 7:17). (g) Let humility keep pace with knowledge. (h) Make use of Christ's prophetical office. (D. Clarkson, B. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, WEB: Yes most certainly, and I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord, for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and count them nothing but refuse, that I may gain Christ