Philippians 3:7
But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
Original Language Analysis
ἀλλ'
But
G235
ἀλλ'
But
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
1 of 11
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
ἅτινα
what things
G3748
ἅτινα
what things
Strong's:
G3748
Word #:
2 of 11
which some, i.e., any that; also (definite) which same
ἥγημαι
I counted
G2233
ἥγημαι
I counted
Strong's:
G2233
Word #:
7 of 11
to lead, i.e., command (with official authority); figuratively, to deem, i.e., consider
διὰ
for
G1223
διὰ
for
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
8 of 11
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 11
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Luke 14:33So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.Matthew 16:26For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?Proverbs 13:8The ransom of a man's life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke.Luke 14:26If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.Genesis 19:17And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.Job 2:4And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.Proverbs 23:23Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.Genesis 19:26But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.Luke 16:8And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.
Historical Context
Paul's Damascus Road experience (Acts 9, 22, 26) revolutionized his life. The risen Christ confronted him: persecuting Christians meant persecuting Jesus (Acts 9:4-5). This shattered Paul's theology—the crucified Nazarene was God's Messiah, vindicated by resurrection. Everything Paul valued (Pharisaic righteousness, zeal, law-blamelessness) opposed God's purposes. His conversion required repudiating his former life's meaning.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'gains' have become 'loss' for you since encountering Christ?
- How does Christ's surpassing worth expose the relative worthlessness of worldly achievements?
- Are there credentials or privileges you still trust alongside (or instead of) Christ alone?
Analysis & Commentary
But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ (Ἀλλὰ ἅτινα ἦν μοι κέρδη, ταῦτα ἥγημαι διὰ τὸν Χριστὸν ζημίαν, Alla hatina ēn moi kerdē, tauta hēgēmai dia ton Christon zēmian)—Alla ("but") pivots from credentials (vv. 5-6) to conversion-revaluation. Kerdē ("gains," plural) were his seven privileges—assets in religious economy. Hēgēmai (perfect tense, "I have counted, continue to count") shows settled judgment. Zēmian ("loss, damage")—accounting term opposite kerdē. Dia ton Christon ("for the sake of Christ, because of Christ")—Christ's surpassing worth renders everything else comparative loss.
This is radical revaluation: Paul's Damascus Road encounter (Acts 9) inverted his value system. What he pursued as ultimate goods became liabilities. Not because credentials are evil but because trusting them is idolatry—they compete with Christ. The accounting metaphor (gain/loss) recurs in vv. 8 ("I count all things loss"). Christ's infinite worth relativizes all else.