Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Philippians 3:9

"and be found in him, not having a righteousness of mine own, [even] that which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith:" — Philippians 3:9 (ASV)

Paul’s desire to “be found in him” probably has an eschatological aspect. He wants the divine scrutiny he will undergo at Christ’s return to reveal unquestionably that he had been in vital spiritual union with Jesus Christ. For this to be so, it could not be on the basis of a “righteousness” he could call “my own” (i.e., the kind of righteousness one might achieve through conformity to the Mosaic law). Such obedience might win the admiration of other people, but it could never achieve the absolute perfection God requires (Galatians 3:10–11; James 2:10). In strong contrast, to be found in Christ implies a righteousness that has its source not in humans but in God, who has provided Jesus Christ, the “Righteous One” (Acts 3:14).

This latter righteousness is received by us “through faith” and thus we acquire it “by faith” or “on the basis of faith.” It is God’s provision freely offered to us in Christ (Romans 3:20–22). “Faith” is the opposite of human works; it is the reception of God’s work by those who admit the futility of their own efforts to attain righteousness.