What could be so powerful that the apostle Paul would consider his impressive achievements as worthless refuse? Discover the shocking metaphor at the heart of Paul's most countercultural teaching—and why it still challenges us today.
Paul's Astonishing Choice of Words
Shocking Greek Term
Paul uses the Greek word skubalon, meaning excrement, animal dung, or sewer trash—deliberately harsh imagery that English translations often soften to "rubbish" or "refuse."
Unique Usage
This is the only appearance of skubalon in the entire New Testament, signaling Paul's intentional emphasis and dramatic statement.
Deliberate Provocation
By choosing such crude language in sacred writing, Paul deliberately shocks his audience to underscore his complete revaluation of worldly achievement.
Context: Paul's List of Accomplishments
Circumcised on the eighth day
Marking perfect Jewish observance from birth
Of the people of Israel, tribe of Benjamin
Elite heritage from the faithful tribe
A Hebrew of Hebrews, Pharisee
Highest religious education and status
Zealous persecutor, blameless under law
Perfect religious performance by community standards
The Meaning Behind "Dung" (Skubalon)
Street Refuse
Common garbage and filth discarded in ancient city streets
Burning Waste Piles
Smoldering heaps outside city walls where refuse was dumped
Human Waste
The crude, visceral meaning conveying utter worthlessness
Rejected Material
That which is completely discarded as having zero value
The Shock Value for Paul's Audience
1
Cultural Offense
Using crude toilet language in religious discourse would have been scandalous
2
Visual Impact
Listeners would immediately picture disgusting waste piles outside their cities
3
Value Subversion
Paul deliberately inverting their understanding of honor, status and achievement
Paul's audience would have gasped at hearing their cherished religious achievements compared to what was literally flushed away. This deliberate shock tactic amplified his message about the surpassing worth of knowing Christ.
Why Paul Embraced the "Dung Life"
Gaining Christ
The ultimate prize worth any sacrifice
Rejecting Self-Righteousness
Abandoning personal achievements as the basis for standing with God
Embracing Faith-Righteousness
Accepting a righteousness that comes through faith alone
Paul's radical choice wasn't about self-deprecation but rather a clear-eyed assessment of comparative value. He found Christ's worth so immeasurably great that everything else—even legitimate achievements—paled to insignificance.
Lessons for Today: Modern "Dung"
24/7
Career Obsession
Constant work prioritized over spiritual life
$$$
Material Success
Wealth and possessions as life's scorecard
5★
Social Status
Reputation and influence as primary pursuit
100%
Religious Performance
Moral achievement as spiritual currency
Today's equivalents of Paul's "dung" might include our relentless pursuit of career advancement, social media validation, or even religious perfectionism—anything we value above knowing Christ.
Conclusion: The Freedom of Letting Go
Paul's "dung life" philosophy invites us to radically reorient our values, placing knowing Christ at the center and considering everything else—even good things—as comparatively worthless. This perspective offers freedom from the exhausting pursuit of achievement and acceptance.