Philippians 3:9
“And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Paul longs to be found in Christ, clothed not in his own righteousness but in that which comes from God through faith.
What Does Philippians 3:9 Mean?
Paul names what he gains in exchange for all he has lost: to be found in Christ. He wants no longer to stand on his own righteousness, the kind that comes from law-keeping, but on the righteousness that comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is of God and received by faith.
Here is the great exchange at the heart of the gospel. Paul's own record, however blameless, could never be enough; the righteousness he needs comes from God himself and is received, not achieved. To be found in Christ is to be hidden in him, clothed in a righteousness not our own. This relieves the soul of the impossible burden of self-justification. We do not present our credentials to God; we present Christ, and are accepted in him. Paul stakes everything on this, trading his own righteousness for the gift of God's, received by faith.