Section 8
earthly things." By earthly things he means physical things, material things, matters of eat ing and drinking.
According to the book of Colossians, Paul did not agree with asceticism, with the prac tice of treating the body severely. But neither would he agree with the Epicurean indulgence in physical enjoyment. We need such things as food and clothing. Without them, we cannot live. However, we should not indulge ourselves in these things.
In Philippians 4:11 Paul says, "I have learned, in whatever circumstances I am, to be content." The Greek word rendered "content" is a Stoic term, indicating a practice opposite to that of the Epicureans. The Stoics taught that a person should be content in all circumstances, caring neither for enjoyment nor for suffering. Paul used this expression in testifying that he had learned the secret to be content. In principle, we Christians agree neither with the Epicureans nor with the ascetics. In a sense, we may some what stand with the Stoics.
CITIZENSHIP IN THE HEAVENS
In Philippians 3:20 Paul goes on to say, "For our citizenship is in the heavens, from which