ἀλλὰ μενοῦνγε καὶ ἡγοῦμαι πάντα ζημίαν εἶναι διὰ τὸ ὑπερέχον τῆς γνώσεως Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ τοῦ κυρίου μου, δι’ ὃν τὰ πάντα ἐζημιώθην, καὶ ἡγοῦμαι σκύβαλα εἶναι ἵνα Χριστὸν κερδήσω. (Philippians 3:8)
The Grammar of Spiritual Recalculation
In Philippians 3:8, Paul intensifies his renunciation of all worldly credentials by placing them in stark contrast with “the surpassing worth of knowing Christ.” The Greek text conveys a process of ongoing evaluation and completed loss through a powerful sequence of indicative and infinitive verbs, present and aorist forms, and purpose clauses. The result is not just an accounting metaphor—it is a grammar of spiritual exchange.
ἀλλὰ μενοῦνγε καὶ ἡγοῦμαι – Indeed, I Also Consider
- ἀλλὰ μενοῦνγε – emphatic particle combo: “but rather indeed” or “nay, much more”
- καὶ ἡγοῦμαι – present middle indicative, 1st person singular of ἡγέομαι, “I consider, I regard”
This introduces an intensified declaration: Paul doesn’t merely recount past choices—he is actively, even continually, considering everything as loss.
πάντα ζημίαν εἶναι – All Things as Loss
- πάντα – accusative plural neuter, “all things”
- ζημίαν – accusative singular feminine, “loss, damage” (predicate accusative)
- εἶναι – present infinitive of εἰμί, “to be”
This is a double accusative construction (object + predicate accusative) with an infinitive: Paul considers all things to be “loss.” The noun ζημία was often used in commercial or legal settings, reinforcing the image of costly forfeiture.
διὰ τὸ ὑπερέχον τῆς γνώσεως – Because of the Surpassing Worth of Knowing
- διὰ τὸ ὑπερέχον – preposition + articular present active participle, neuter accusative singular of ὑπερέχω, “the surpassing thing”
- τῆς γνώσεως – genitive singular of γνῶσις, “knowledge”
This participial phrase expresses the reason Paul considers all things loss: because of the exceeding value of knowing Christ. The present participle emphasizes that this knowledge is ongoing and dynamic, not static information.
Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ τοῦ κυρίου μου – Of Christ Jesus My Lord
This phrase defines the object of knowledge. Note the personal possession:
- τοῦ Κυρίου μου – “my Lord,” indicating not just reverence but covenantal allegiance
δι’ ὃν τὰ πάντα ἐζημιώθην – For Whom I Have Suffered the Loss of All Things
- δι’ ὃν – “for the sake of whom” (i.e., Christ)
- τὰ πάντα – accusative plural neuter, “all things”
- ἐζημιώθην – aorist passive indicative, 1st person singular of ζημιόω, “I was deprived / I suffered loss”
Here Paul shifts to the aorist, describing a completed past event. The contrast with the present ἡγοῦμαι suggests: “I already counted them loss, and I still do.”
καὶ ἡγοῦμαι σκύβαλα εἶναι – And I Count Them as Refuse
- σκύβαλα – “refuse,” “garbage,” “dung” — an extremely strong term for worthlessness
- εἶναι – infinitive of being, “to be”
Paul doubles down: not only are all things a loss, they are like filth compared to Christ. This is rhetorical intensification through vocabulary and repetition.
ἵνα Χριστὸν κερδήσω – In Order That I May Gain Christ
- ἵνα – introduces a purpose clause
- κερδήσω – aorist active subjunctive, 1st person singular of κερδαίνω, “to gain, to win”
This final phrase encapsulates Paul’s motive. The verb κερδαίνω is used in commerce, closing the metaphor: he exchanges all for the eternal profit—Christ Himself.
Spiritual Accounting: A Grammar Table
| Greek Phrase | Grammar Type | Function | Spiritual Insight |
|---|---|---|---|
| ἡγοῦμαι πάντα ζημίαν εἶναι | Present middle verb + double accusative | Ongoing perspective | Continuous reckoning of worldly gain as loss |
| διὰ τὸ ὑπερέχον τῆς γνώσεως | Preposition + articular participle | Reason for evaluation | The surpassing worth of knowing Christ |
| ἐζημιώθην | Aorist passive indicative | Completed action | Paul has already suffered the loss |
| σκύβαλα εἶναι | Noun + infinitive of being | Further degradation | All else is refuse compared to Christ |
| ἵνα Χριστὸν κερδήσω | Purpose clause with aorist subjunctive | Final aim | To gain Christ is worth the cost of all else |
The Grammar of Gain
In this single verse, Paul crafts a theology of discipleship through grammar. Present verbs show a mindset of ongoing rejection of worldly glory; aorists mark decisive past acts; and the purpose clause leads to the goal of union with Christ.
This is more than spiritual language. It is the language of ultimate accounting, where the only profit that endures is Χριστὸν κερδῆσαι—to gain Christ.
