Note 18 at Phil. 3:9: There are two types of righteousness (see note 2 at Rom. 10:3, p. 813). There is our righteousness, which is describing our compliance with the requirements of the law, and there is God's righteousness, which only comes as a gift (see note 3 at Rom. 5:15, p. 774) and is received by faith (see note 17 at Eph. 2:8, p. 1103). God's righteousness is perfect. Our righteousness is as filthy rags (Isa. 64:6).

Note 19 at Phil. 3:9: One of the key words of this passage is DIKAIOSUNE, meaning "righteousness." It is hard for one English word to portray all that this entails. A paraphrase of Paul's thinking may be "a right relationship or right standing before a holy God." Paul sought to establish his own righteousness, that is, a righteousness based on his own actions in order to be pleasing unto God. He found that it was no more acceptable before God than the refuse thrown upon the garbage heap (see note 16 at v. 8).

Right standing before a holy God is not to be achieved in the keeping of the law but in humble trust in the person and work of Jesus Christ. No one can have the benefit of Christ's righteousness who is trusting in his own righteousness. The righteousness that gives men relationship with God is the RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD, and it comes freely through faith in Jesus Christ (Rom. 3:22).

Note 20 at Phil. 3:9: Notice that Paul said he wanted the righteousness which comes through the faith OF Christ, not faith IN Christ. It is true that the way we obtained this righteousness is by putting faith IN what Christ has done for us. But when we place our faith in Christ, then the righteousness that Jesus obtained by His faith becomes ours. We are possessors of Christ's righteousness which His faith produced (see note 15 at Gal. 2:20, p. 1063).