King James Version

What Does Philippians 3:8 Mean?

Philippians 3:8 in the King James Version says “Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I h...” — study this verse from Philippians chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,”

Philippians 3:8 · King James Version

Context

6

Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

7

But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

8

Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

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:

10

That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

Read Philippians 3 full chapter

Commentaries4 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord (ἀλλὰ μενοῦνγε καὶ ἡγοῦμαι πάντα ζημίαν εἶναι διὰ τὸ ὑπερέχον τῆς γνώσεως Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ τοῦ κυρίου μου, alla menounge kai hēgoumai panta zēmian einai dia to hyperechon tēs gnōseōs Christou Iēsou tou kyriou mou)—Menounge ("yea indeed, more than that") intensifies v. 7. Panta ("all things") expands beyond religious credentials to everything. Dia to hyperechon tēs gnōseōs ("because of the surpassing [worth] of the knowledge")—hyperechon ("surpassing, excelling") appears in 2:3 ("esteem others better"). Gnōseōs ("knowledge") is relational knowing, not information—personal intimacy with Christ Jesus my Lord (τοῦ κυρίου μου, tou kyriou mou, emphatic possessive).

For whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ (δι' ὃν τὰ πάντα ἐζημιώθην, καὶ ἡγοῦμαι σκύβαλα, ἵνα Χριστὸν κερδήσω, di' hon ta panta ezēmiōthēn, kai hēgoumai skybala, hina Christon kerdēsō)—Ezēmiōthēn (aorist passive, "I suffered loss") marks decisive past event (conversion). Skybala ("dung, refuse, garbage")—crudely graphic, showing utter contempt. Hina Christon kerdēsō ("that I may gain Christ")—kerdēsō ("gain") reverses kerdē (v. 7). True gain is Christ Himself, not religious achievement.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Paul's conversion cost everything: Pharisaic status, rabbinic career, social standing, family ties (implied by 'suffered loss of all'). He became Gentile-apostle, persecuted by former allies (2 Cor 11:24-26). Yet he counted losses as 'garbage' (skybala—shocking vulgarity) compared to Christ. This testimony devastated Judaizers: their champion repudiated their system. Ancient honor-culture prized reputation/status; Paul called it dung.

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'all things' would you count as loss for Christ's 'surpassing worth'?
  2. How is 'knowledge' (gnōsis) of Christ relational intimacy versus mere information?
  3. What might be 'dung' (skybala) in your value system if assessed by Christ's worth?

Compare 4 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 29 words
ἀλλὰ1 of 29

“Yea”

G235

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

μενοῦνγε2 of 29

“doubtless”

G3304

so then at least

καὶ3 of 29

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἡγοῦμαι4 of 29

“I count”

G2233

to lead, i.e., command (with official authority); figuratively, to deem, i.e., consider

πάντα5 of 29

“all things”

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

ζημίαν6 of 29

“but loss”

G2209

detriment

εἶναι7 of 29

“for”

G1511

to exist

δι'8 of 29

“for”

G1223

through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)

τὸ9 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὑπερέχον10 of 29

“the excellency”

G5242

to hold oneself above, i.e., (figuratively) to excel; participle (as adjective, or neuter as noun) superior, superiority

τῆς11 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

γνώσεως12 of 29

“of the knowledge”

G1108

knowing (the act), i.e., (by implication) knowledge

Χριστὸν13 of 29

“Christ”

G5547

anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus

Ἰησοῦ14 of 29

“Jesus”

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

τοῦ15 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κυρίου16 of 29

“Lord”

G2962

supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

μου17 of 29

“my”

G3450

of me

δι'18 of 29

“for”

G1223

through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)

ὃν19 of 29

“whom”

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

τὰ20 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πάντα21 of 29

“all things”

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

ἐζημιώθην22 of 29

“I have suffered the loss”

G2210

to injure, i.e., (reflexively or passively) to experience detriment

καὶ23 of 29

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἡγοῦμαι24 of 29

“I count”

G2233

to lead, i.e., command (with official authority); figuratively, to deem, i.e., consider

σκύβαλα25 of 29

“but dung”

G4657

what is thrown to the dogs, i.e., refuse (ordure)

εἶναι26 of 29

“for”

G1511

to exist

ἵνα27 of 29

“that”

G2443

in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)

Χριστὸν28 of 29

“Christ”

G5547

anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus

κερδήσω29 of 29

“I may win”

G2770

to gain (literally or figuratively)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Philippians. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Philippians 3:8 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Philippians 3:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 9:23-24Romans 8:18Acts 20:24Philippians 3:7John 17:3Philippians 3:10

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