If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless. But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.
-Philippians 3:5-9 (NIV)
Near the end of Paul’s letter to the people of Philippi, he calls out those who were teaching that you still must follow the Old Testament laws to be saved, particularly the custom of circumcision. Their beliefs were rooted in pride however, as they couldn’t come to terms with the fact that all of their law-following was now for naught and that everyone who believes in Jesus as Christ was now equal in the eyes of God.
Paul quickly puts them in their place as he shares that if anyone had a reason to brag about what they had done, it was him. He was circumcised as a baby, from a prestigious tribe, a strict law teacher, a passionate persecutor of Christianity, and a devout follower of all the law. To Jews, his credentials were flawless.
But then Paul drops the bomb. He declares that all those “accomplishments” are worthless when compared to knowing Jesus. Specifically, he says they are “rubbish”.
However, many Biblical scholars believe that a word like “rubbish” sugarcoats the real, intended meaning. The original Greek word used is skubala, which would have been considered offensive and vulgar. That is why some translations instead use slightly more disturbing words like “dung” (KJV), “dog dung” (MSG) or even “turds” (WYC)!
Why the shocking language from Paul? His point was that, in the end, all his successes didn’t matter. Compared to Christ, they were nothing more than filth and waste.
Not to be gross, but when babies poop, you immediately change their diaper. When you step in some dog dung, you immediately clean and wash your shoe. When you do a #2, you immediately wipe and flush it away. Clearly, excrement isn’t something you brag about… Rather, it’s something you avoid. It’s completely disgusting. There is absolutely nothing commendable about it! Matter of fact… The bigger the pile, the more it stinks.
It doesn’t matter who your family is, what church you attend, how “good” or “religious” of a person you are, or the massive distinction and status you’ve built. Consider them skubala.
It’s Jesus plus nothing.
