These things were my assets, but I wrote them off as a loss for the sake of Christ. But even beyond that, I consider everything a loss in comparison with the superior value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have lost everything for him, but what I lost I think of as sewer trash, so that I might gain Christ and be found in him. In Christ I have a righteousness that is not my own and that does not come from the Law but rather from the faithfulness of Christ. It is the righteousness of God that is based on faith. The righteousness that I have comes from knowing Christ, the power of his resurrection, and the participation in his sufferings. It includes being conformed to his death so that I may perhaps reach the goal of the resurrection of the dead. (Philippians 3:7-11, CEB)
Sewer trash, dung, garbage. The word is translated as a lot of things in different translations. It is a word that is not found in the New Testament any where else or in extra biblical writings of the time. Scholars think it is a street slang word. The word is σκύβαλα. I was taught it was a slang word used on the street and would be equivalent to shit.
Now why would a scholar and a teacher of faith us such a foul word? Well words as all objects are neither good nor bad, and only become that from the connotations and ways we use them. Maybe Paul was trying to make sure that the Philippians were listening. Maybe he was trying to make a point. Language is a tool and is neither good nor bad. And by us sanitizing what Paul said we are missing the point.
No matter what we thought was important, it is nothing next to what we have in God.
Love as God does and know all people are God’s beloved children.
Loving People. Loving God.
aSacredRebel 