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:
Philippians 3:9
Paul shifts from perceiving his own righteousness to the righteousness that comes from God through faith. He desires to be “found in him” and to possess not his own righteousness, which is from the law, but the righteousness that comes through faith in Christ—the righteousness from God that depends on faith. This is a watershed moment: justification is described as a gift received by faith, not earned by law-keeping. The imagery of being found in Christ invokes union with Christ—believers are clothed in his righteousness. The phrase “the righteousness which is of God by faith” emphasizes that righteousness originates with God and is accessed through faith, not human effort. The surrounding context condemns reliance on fleshly credentials, reinforcing that true standing before God arises from trusting in Christ’s finished work. In Paul’s world, this was a controversial assertion, overturning the revered law-keeping as the means of righteousness and elevating faith as the means of righteousness.
This verse anchors the doctrine of justification by faith alone, a cornerstone of Pauline theology. It also signals the believer’s new status before God: righteous by God’s own provision rather than by human merit. The phrase “through the faith of Christ” can be read as faith in Christ or faithfulness of Christ; most interpreters favor the former, highlighting trust in Christ’s person and work. Theologically, it emphasizes the communicable righteousness imparted to believers through the Spirit. It also balances assurance and humility: we receive righteousness as a gift, not as a trophy earned by perfect behavior. It reinforces the continuity of salvation history—from promise to fulfillment in Jesus—where believers participate in Christ’s righteousness by faith.
Center your confidence on Christ’s righteousness felt through faith. When you’re tempted to trust in your good deeds, repeat: I am clothed in Christ’s righteousness by faith. Let that truth shape your identity in daily life—at work, in family, and in community. Practice humble gratitude: thank God for covering your flaws with Jesus’s righteousness. ministering to others, extend grace rather than self-justification, modeling a life marked by faith, not flawless performance. When facing guilt, remind yourself that forgiveness and new righteousness come through faith in Christ, not through self-improvement schemes. Use this as motivation to grow in spiritual disciplines—not as a way to earn favor, but to deepen trust in Jesus.
Cross-References: Habakkuk 2:4; Romans 3:21-26; Romans 4:5; Galatians 2:16; Titus 3:5-7