The Worthlessness of All Things (In Comparison to Knowing Christ)

Thus Paul in Philippians 3.8. Paul speaks truthfully (this is not a boast on his part, it's just a fact) when he says that he suffered the loss of all things for Christ's sake. In comparison to knowing Christ everything else—everything else!—is σκύβαλον skubalon. The word can mean either dung (the equivalent word in English is probably best translated shit) or it can mean refuse or rubbish. You get the point though. Paul metaphorically piles everything that he is and has on one side of the ledger and knowing Christ on the other side of the ledger and says, "all of this stuff on this side is worthless, nothing, garbage. Christ? Everything." It is a very strong statement and Paul means it to be understood that way.