Note 13 at Phil. 3:8: The phrase "I count" was translated from the Greek word HEGEOMAI, which means "to lead, i.e. command (with official authority); figuratively to deem; i.e. consider." This means that Paul didn't come to a place of failure where through some sin or error on his part he had become a "loser." He was the most promising student of Gamaliel (Acts 22:3). Paul chose to value his own effort as dung (see note 16 at this verse).

Many people come to the Lord in the midst of failure or personal tragedy. It is easy to see our own efforts as worthless in a situation like that. But those who are at the top of their "game" often fail to see their need for the Lord. They think they are doing quite well and therefore trust in themselves. That's why relatively few "successful" people come to the Lord.

The present tense verb "I count" shows a habitual attitude, and commitment to a long term way of doing something. In other words, Paul continually counted everything loss that would keep him from knowing Jesus Christ intimately.

Paul is an example to us all. He was the holiest, the best, and yet he was nothing. If that was true of Paul, it is certainly true of us. Like Paul we need to "count" ALL of our personal achievements as refuse so that we might totally rely on Christ.

Note 14 at Phil. 3:8: At one time Paul had trusted the works of his own flesh as a means of acceptance with God. His faith had been in circumcision, ancestry, religion, zeal, and legalistic righteousness (vv. 5-6). But now he counts (see note 13 at this verse) them all loss that he might gain Christ. In fact, Paul uses the term "dung" (see note 16 at this verse) to describe how little he valued anything that would separate him from the surpassing value of knowing Jesus Christ as Lord.

Note 15 at Phil. 3:8: Wuest Word Studies of the NT Greek states, "Not only did he (Paul) forfeit all this when he was saved, but his parents would have nothing to do with a son who had, in their estimation, dishonored them by becoming one of those hated, despised Christians. They had reared him in the lap of luxury, sent him to the Jewish school of theology in Jerusalem to sit at the feet of the great Gamaliel, and given him an excellent training in Greek culture at the University of Tarsus, a Greek school of learning. But they had now cast him off. He was still forfeiting all that he had held dear, but for what? He tells us, 'that I may win Christ'" (p. 91).

Only eternity will reveal just how much Paul gave up in the natural to follow Christ. But one thing is certain-he gained much more than he ever gave up. That's true of us too. The reproaches of Christ are infinitely greater in wealth than all the riches of the world or the acclaim of men (Heb. 11:26).

Note 16 at Phil. 3:8: The English word "dung" was translated from the Greek word SKUBALON, which means "what is thrown to the dogs, i.e. refuse."

Note 17 at Phil. 3:8: This word "win" was translated from the Greek word KERDAINO, which means "to gain." It was translated "gain" eight times (Mt. 16:26; Mk. 8:36; Lk. 9:25; 1 Cor. 9:19, 20, 21, 22; Jas. 4:13) and "gained" five times (Mt. 18:15; 25:17, 20, 22; Acts 27:21). This is the only time in the New Testament that this word was translated "win."