Paul’s Attitude Toward Disagreement

3:15b and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you.

At several places in his letters, Paul speaks about those who disagree with him. A survey of other places where he addresses this will help us understand his comment in v.15.

Most of the places where Paul addresses those who disagree with him he speaks in very strong terms:

"If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing." (1Tim.6:3-4)

"As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!" (Gal.1:9)

"But if one is inclined to be contentious, we have no other practice, nor have the churches of God." (1Cor.11:16)

"If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord’s commandment. But if anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized." (1Cor.14:37-38)

Whatever Paul is talking about in these passages, it is certainly different than what he says here in Phil.3:15, where he seems to treat potential disagreements rather casually.

It seems at first glance that Paul is referring to those who do not follow his example just laid out in v.7-14. But it is clear from v.17-19 that those who refuse to walk according to the example of Paul are not to be tolerated at all.

Once again we are faced with a dilemma. What kind of "difference" here is Paul so tolerant of?

We must remember that in the epistle to the Philippians Paul is writing to friends, people he trusts, folks he is convinced are seeking sincerely after God. He is confident that God will show them the truth. If they do not yet see everything as he does, he is confident that God will lead them to the truth.

There is a big difference between a person who is disagreeing over matters of substance as a result of contentiousness and a person sincerely seeking to conform himself to the word of God who disagrees over minor matters.

Paul is following his own instructions: "Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his scruples." (Rom.14:1)

Father, give me courage to refute those who contradict sound doctrine, and give me love and humility to accept those who need to be accepted. May I be driven not by my own prejudices and opinions, but by wisdom and love and careful study of Your truth. And Lord, however my attitude is different than what is right, please reveal that to me and guide me into the way of truth.