This article is not about marking false teachers, although Paul did instruct brethren to do so (Rom. 16:17-18). Instead, it is about marking another kind of person–the kind we do not notice nearly enough. These people do not hide what they do; they are usually quite open in their actions. It is just that the unsavory and ungodly seem to command people’s attention.
One of the most inspiring passages in the book of Philippians (but not the only one) is found in chapter 3. No doubt, many Christians have committed to memory part or all of verses 8-14, which are reprinted below.
But indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call in Christ Jesus.
The value of Christ, the power of His resurrection, and the striving for spiritual perfection are all great and lofty ideas, which merit frequent repeating.
Just a few verses later Paul insists that Christians mark a certain kind of person: “Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern” (Phil. 3:17, emp. GWS). What a great idea! As we consider it, a brief word study is in order on the word translated “note.”
This verb (skopeo [4648], as it appears in Strong’s]) is used five other times in the New Testament. Each verse is listed below; the translated portion is in italics.
Luke 11:35: “Therefore take heed that the light which is in you is not darkness.”
Romans 16:17: “Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you have learned, and avoid them.”
2 Corinthians 4:18: “While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
Galatians 6:1: “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.”
Philippians 2:4: “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”
According to Kittel, skopeo means: “to consider something critically and then to hold something before one as a model on the basis of the inspection” (7:415).
The noun form of the Greek word (skopos [4649]) is used only once–just three verses earlier as the “goal” or “mark” Paul says he is pressing toward. Used with the Greek preposition kata the noun and the verb are translated as “spies” [2685] in Hebrews 11:31 and “to spy out” [2684] in Galatians 2:4. These are the only instances in which these words appear.
There is a certain kind of person after whom we want to pattern ourselves–the kind who counts the things of this world as rubbish, the kind who has spiritual goals, the kind who has reached a certain level of maturity, the kind who sincerely desires eternal life. Note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.
The ironic thing is that we all know some good examples, but perhaps we too often see the people who are flawed and corrupt, weak, or sinful rather than those who possess strength of character. Consider Paul’s many qualities worthy of imitation.
1. The first thing Paul did was to give up error for truth. Although it would have been difficult to disobey the Lord’s instructions given to him on the road to Damascus, it was nevertheless possible. It would have been no greater marvel than when the Israelites lost their faith after seeing the ten plagues God brought upon Egypt and then passing through the Red Sea (Heb. 4:2). It would have been no harder to understand than Ahab’s allowing Jezebel to issue the order for Elijah’s death after he had just witnessed the power of God at Mount Carmel. Truth was more important to Paul than his pride. Imagine having to admit before all his Jewish friends, as well as the Christians he had persecuted, that he was wrong! Would that all were as willing to change and admit their error in the face of evidence; Paul set the example.
2. Paul not only wrote that brethren should be steadfast and unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord (1 Cor. 15:58); he is a model of such behavior. He did not give up when persecuted, imprisoned, shipwrecked, or deserted before Caesar. He finished his course and kept the faith despite facing more adversity than most of us will ever face.
3. Although the apostle was clearly a realist, he nevertheless maintained an optimistic outlook. He found something to commend about brethren in every letter (and for the Corinthians, it was difficult). Paul knew all too well the problems that churches were facing, but it did not keep him from noticing the good things that were occurring. He commended the Macedonians for their gracious giving (2 Cor. 8:1-5). He praised the brethren in Thessalonica for their “having received the word in much affliction,” for being examples to brethren in other regions, for being known for their faith and evangelism, and for receiving the Word of God for what it truly is–the Word of God (1 Thess. 1:6-8; 2:13).
4. Paul stood for the truth when it meant marking false teachers (1 Tim. 1:18-20; 2 Tim. 2:16-18). Many people are too skittish to deal with such problems. They would rather just focus on positive things and avoid controversy. There may be some, on the other hand, who just enjoy stirring things up or manufacturing problems where none exist, but the apostle was not one of those. [Real problems often exist in abundance; why would anyone need to invent something?] Paul did not turn his back on the Judaizing teachers in hopes that they would just go away; he dealt with them.
5. Paul proclaimed the need to be holy and avoid the corruptions of the world (Rom. 6: 2 Cor. 7:1). He exhorted brethren to be transformed into the image of Christ rather than being conformed to the world (Rom. 12:1-2).
6. Paul exercised self-control–even though it was a constant struggle (1 Cor. 9:24-27). It is one thing to tell others what they must do (Acts 24:25); it is another to personally set the example. When we know that others have faced the same temptations that we have, and overcome them, it provides great encouragement to us.
7. Paul wrote frequently on the subject of evangelism. He pointed out that he was a debtor to others; he owed them the opportunity to hear and obey the gospel (Rom. 1:14). He sincerely lamented the fact that his Jewish brethren had rejected the gospel (Rom. 9:2-3; 10:1-2). But he did not just speak evangelism; his life was evangelism. He wanted by all legitimate means to save some (1 Cor. 9:22).
8. As already suggested, Paul practiced what he preached. Did he write, “Rejoice in the Lord, always. Again I will say, rejoice!” (Phil. 4:4)? These are noble sentiments to be sure, but what if he were beaten and thrown in prison? James writes, “Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms” (5:13). So what was Paul doing in prison in Philippi? At midnight he and Silas “were praying and singing hymns to God” (Acts 16:25). It would be a few years before Paul wrote Philippians; he practiced his own advice before he preached it.
Paul is an example of a man of faith. We may be more familiar in our age with high-profile hypocrites whose “faith” was either a sham or merely a means of obtaining wealth. Paul possessed genuine faith, and his life bore witness to that fact. There is no duplicity in his statement, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Phil. 1:21). When Paul says, “Set your mind on things above, and not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life appears, then you will also appear with Him in glory” (Col. 3:2-4), we know without any doubt that Paul had his mind on heavenly concerns and that Christ was his life. All of us ought to note Paul.