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1. (concluded).
The scope of Philippians seen in its parallel with
the epistle to the Hebrews.
pp. 230 - 232
We conclude with one more parallel which lies near the very heart of Philippians,
namely, the "out-resurrection":--
"If by any means I may attain unto the out-resurrection, out from the dead ones"
(Phil. 3: 11).
"Therefore leaving . . . . . not laying again; and others were tortured, not accepting
deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection . . . . . these all died in faith, not
having received the promise, God having provided some better thing for us, that they
without us should not be made perfect . . . . . and to the spirits of just men made perfect"
(Heb. 11: 35, 40, 12: 23).
Heb. 11: 35 makes it abundantly clear that the "better resurrection" which was
"obtained" was in the nature of a recognition of willing suffering for the Lord, and the
special mention of the spirits of "perfected righteous ones" is associated with the
"first-born", and the contrast with Esau's temporizing. These all contribute to the very
evident parallel.
The "out-resurrection" of Phil. 3: is not the hope of the church, but is an added
prize. The hope of the church can neither be lost nor won. Just as the revelation of the
heavenly city is something over and above the inheritance revealed in Genesis, so the
"out-resurrection" is the means of attaining to some "better thing" for those who have
diligently followed on unto perfection.
We set out the parallel between the two epistles as follows:--