Bible Strands
Philippians 3:7
But whatever was gain to me I count as loss for the sake of Christ.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Philippian believers while cataloging his former religious credentials and zeal in persecuting the church. He speaks at the precise moment of reevaluating those past achievements against his current commitment to Christ.
The words — The Greek κέρδη (kérde) means "gain" or "profit," and ἡγημαι (hēgēmai) translates literally to "I have esteemed" or "count." Paul employs these terms to declare a deliberate reclassification of his former advantages.
The thread — This revaluation runs parallel to Luke 14:33's requirement to surrender all possessions to be a disciple and Matthew 16:26's warning against gaining the world while forfeiting one's soul. It also mirrors the transaction in Matthew 13:44 where a man sells everything to secure a hidden field of treasure.
Why it lands — The text demands a formal accounting where past spiritual or material advantages are recorded as liabilities. It requires the reader to prioritize knowing Christ over any self-achieved status or security.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
Cross-references
- Luke 14:33 In the same way, any one of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be My disciple.
- Matthew 16:26 What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?
- Matthew 13:44 The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and in his joy he went and sold all he had and bought that field.
- Proverbs 13:8 Riches may ransom a man’s life, but a poor man hears no threat.
- Luke 14:26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be My disciple.
- Philippians 3:8 More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ
- Luke 17:31 On that day, let no one on the housetop come down to retrieve his possessions. Likewise, let no one in the field return for anything he has left behind.
- Genesis 19:17 As soon as the men had brought them out, one of them said, “Run for your lives! Do not look back, and do not stop anywhere on the plain! Flee to the mountains, or you will be swept away!”
- Galatians 2:15 We who are Jews by birth and not Gentile “sinners”
- Job 2:4 “Skin for skin!” Satan replied. “A man will give up all he owns in exchange for his life.