The Unfathomable Riches of the Apostle Paul and the Epistles
They are no longer advantages but liabilities, things that must be discarded. This is a profound statement about the radical reordering of values that occurs when one truly encounters Jesus Christ. What the world, and even the religious establishment of his day, deemed valuable, Paul now sees as detrimental to his relationship with God. He elaborates on this re-evaluation: “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.” The pivotal phrase here is “surpassing the worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord”. “Knowing” ( gnōsis) here is not mere intellectual acknowledgment but a deep, intimate, experiential knowledge. It is knowledge that transforms and redefines everything. This knowledge of Christ is so infinitely valuable, so utterly superior, that it eclipses the value of all other possessions, achievements, and status. The Greek word for “surpassing” is hyperballōn, conveying an idea of exceeding, transcending, or outdoing. It’s an immense, immeasurable difference in value. This profound knowledge of Christ leads Paul to “suffer the loss of all things.” This is not a passive acceptance of misfortune but an active decision to relinquish everything that previously defined him. His religious achievements, his social standing, his perceived righteousness – all are willingly sacrificed. He views these former “gains” as an utter loss, and indeed, he calls them □□□□□□□ (skubala), a strong term often translated as “rubbish,” “dung,” or “filth.” It’s a word of intense disdain, conveying that these things are not just worthless but offensive, something to be swept away and discarded. This is the ultimate repudiation of his former self and his former system of trust. The purpose behind this radical renunciation is singular and all-consuming: “in order that I may gain Christ.” The ultimate prize, the sole objective, is union with Christ. This “gaining” is not about acquiring something external but about possessing Christ Himself, entering into a deep and abiding relationship with Him. It’s about belonging to Him, being united with Him in His life, death, and resurrection. This desire to “gain Christ” is the driving force behind Paul’s relentless pursuit. It is the motivation for his suffering, the reason for his redefinition of loss, and the very essence of his Christian life.
