(A)Beware of dogs, beware of (B)evil workers, (C)beware of the mutilation! For we are (D)the circumcision, (E)who worship [a]God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, though (F)I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I (G)more so: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, (H)of the tribe of Benjamin, (I)a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, (J)a Pharisee; concerning zeal, (K)persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

But (L)what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss (M)for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having (N)my own righteousness, which is from the law, but (O)that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the (P)power of His resurrection, and (Q)the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may (R)attain[b] to the resurrection from the dead.

Pressing Toward the Goal

12 Not that I have already (S)attained,[c] or am already (T)perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have [d]apprehended; but one thing I do, (U)forgetting those things which are behind and (V)reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 (W)I press toward the goal for the prize of (X)the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

15 Therefore let us, as many as are (Y)mature, (Z)have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, (AA)God will reveal even this to you. 16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already [e]attained, (AB)let us walk (AC)by the same [f]rule, let us be of the same mind.

Our Citizenship in Heaven

17 Brethren, (AD)join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as (AE)you have us for a pattern. 18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are (AF)the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 (AG)whose end is destruction, (AH)whose god is their belly, and (AI)whose glory is in their shame—(AJ)who set their mind on earthly things. 20 For (AK)our citizenship is in heaven, (AL)from which we also (AM)eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 (AN)who will transform our lowly body that it may be (AO)conformed to His glorious body, (AP)according to the working by which He is able even to (AQ)subdue all things to Himself.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Philippians 3:3 NU, M in the Spirit of God
  2. Philippians 3:11 Lit. arrive at
  3. Philippians 3:12 obtained it
  4. Philippians 3:13 laid hold of it
  5. Philippians 3:16 arrived
  6. Philippians 3:16 NU omits rule and the rest of v. 16.

Look out for the [a]dogs [the Judaizers, the legalists], look out for the troublemakers, look out for the [b]false circumcision [those who claim circumcision is necessary for salvation]; for we [who are born-again have been reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, set apart for His purpose and] are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory and take pride and exult in Christ Jesus and place no confidence [in what we have or who we are] in the flesh— though I myself might have [some grounds for] confidence in the flesh [if I were pursuing salvation by works]. If anyone else thinks that he has reason to be confident in the flesh [that is, in his own efforts to achieve salvation], I have far more: circumcised when I was eight days old, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews [an exemplary Hebrew]; as to the [observance of the] Law, a Pharisee; as to my zeal [for Jewish tradition], a persecutor of the church; and as to righteousness [supposed right living] which [my fellow Jews believe] is in the Law, I proved myself blameless.

But whatever former things were gains to me [as I thought then], these things [once regarded as advancements in merit] I have come to consider as loss [absolutely worthless] for the sake of Christ [and the purpose which He has given my life]. But more than that, I count everything as loss compared to the priceless privilege and supreme advantage of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord [and of growing more deeply and thoroughly acquainted with Him—a joy unequaled]. For His sake I have lost everything, and I consider it all garbage, so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him [believing and relying on Him], not having any righteousness of my own derived from [my obedience to] the Law and its rituals, but [possessing] that [genuine righteousness] which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith. 10 And this, so that I may know Him [experientially, becoming more thoroughly acquainted with Him, understanding the remarkable wonders of His Person more completely] and [in that same way experience] the power of His resurrection [which overflows and is active in believers], and [that I may share] the fellowship of His sufferings, by being continually conformed [inwardly into His likeness even] to His death [dying as He did]; 11 [c]so that I may attain to the resurrection [that will raise me] from the dead.

12 Not that I have already obtained it [this goal of being Christlike] or have already been made perfect, but I actively press on [d]so that I may take hold of that [perfection] for which Christ Jesus took hold of me and made me His own.(A) 13 [e]Brothers and sisters, I do not consider that I have made it my own yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the [heavenly] prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 All of us who are mature [pursuing spiritual perfection] should have this attitude. And if in any respect you have a different attitude, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us stay true to what we have already attained.

17 Brothers and sisters, together follow my example and observe those who live by the pattern we gave you. 18 For there are many, of whom I have often told you, and now tell you even with tears, who live as enemies of the cross of Christ [rejecting and opposing His way of salvation], 19 whose fate is destruction, whose god is their belly [their worldly appetite, their sensuality, their vanity], and whose glory is in their shame—who focus their mind on earthly and temporal things. 20 But [we are different, because] our citizenship is in heaven. And from there we eagerly await [the coming of] the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; 21 who, by exerting that power which enables Him even to subject everything to Himself, will [not only] transform [but completely refashion] our earthly bodies so that they will be like His glorious resurrected body.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Philippians 3:2 Jews often used “dogs” as a derogatory term to refer to Gentiles, so Paul’s reference to his Jewish opponents in this verse is ironic. Most dogs were untamed scavengers and considered disgusting because they ate anything.
  2. Philippians 3:2 Because circumcision was not necessary for salvation, the circumcision demanded by the Judaizers was nothing more than mutilation.
  3. Philippians 3:11 Lit if somehow.
  4. Philippians 3:12 Lit even if I may. Paul knew that he could not really reach perfection in this life, but his goal was to “press on” as if it were attainable.
  5. Philippians 3:13 Lit Brethren.

Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11 if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. 12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. 16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. 18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) 20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

Read full chapter

Beware of dogs: beware of evil workers: beware of the [a]concision.

[b]For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence [c]in the flesh:

[d]Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, much more I,

Circumcised the eighth day, of the kindred of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, (A)an Hebrew of the Hebrews, (B)by the Law a Pharisee.

Concerning zeal, I persecuted the Church: touching the righteousness which is in the Law, I was unrebukeable.

But the things that were [e]vantage unto me, the same I counted loss for Christ’s sake.

Yea, doubtless I think [f]all things but loss for the excellent knowledge sake of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have counted all things loss, and do judge them to be dung, that I might [g]win Christ,

And might be found in [h]him, that is, [i]not having mine own righteousness, which is of the Law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, even the righteousness which is of God through faith,

10 [j]That I may [k]know him, and the virtue of his resurrection, and the [l]fellowship of his afflictions, and be made conformable unto his death,

11 If by any means I might attain unto the [m]resurrection of the dead:

12 Not as though I had already attained to it, either were already perfect: but I follow, if that I may comprehend that for whose sake also I am [n]comprehended of Christ Jesus.

13 Brethren, I count not myself, that I have attained to it, but one thing I do: I forget that which is behind, and endeavor myself unto that which is before,

14 And follow hard toward the mark, for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

15 [o]Let us therefore as many as be [p]perfect, be thus minded: and if ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even the same unto you.

16 Nevertheless, in that whereunto we are come, let us proceed by one rule, that we may mind one thing.

17 Brethren, be followers of me, and look on them, which walk so, as ye have us for an example.

18 (C)[q] For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:

19 Whose [r]end is damnation, whose God is their belly, and whose [s]glory is to their shame, which mind earthly things.

20 [t]But our conversation is in heaven, from whence also we look for the (D)Savior, even the Lord Jesus Christ,

21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working, whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Philippians 3:2 He alludeth to Circumcision, of the name whereof while they boasted, they cut asunder the Church.
  2. Philippians 3:3 He showeth that we ought to use true circumcision, to wit, the circumcision of the heart, that cutting off all wicked affections by the virtue of Christ, we may serve God in purity of life.
  3. Philippians 3:3 In outward things, which pertain nothing to the soul.
  4. Philippians 3:4 He doubteth not to prefer himself even according to the flesh, before those perverse hote urgers of the Law, that all men may know that he doth with good judgment of mind, lightly esteem all those outward things: forsomuch as he lacketh nothing which hath Christ, nay, the confidence of our works cannot stand with the free justification in Christ by faith.
  5. Philippians 3:7 Which is accounted for vantage.
  6. Philippians 3:8 He shutteth out all works, as well those that go before, as those that come after faith.
  7. Philippians 3:8 That in their place I might get Christ, and of a poor man become rich: so far off am I from losing anything.
  8. Philippians 3:9 In Christ: for they that are found without Christ, are subject to condemnation.
  9. Philippians 3:9 That is, to be in Christ, to be found not in a man’s own righteousness, but clothed with the righteousness of Christ imputed to him.
  10. Philippians 3:10 This is the end of righteousness by faith touching us, that by the virtue of his resurrection we may scape from death.
  11. Philippians 3:10 That I may feel him indeed, and have a trial of him.
  12. Philippians 3:10 The way to that eternal salvation is to follow Christ’s steps, by afflictions and persecutions, until we come to Christ himself, who is our mark whereat we shoot, and receive that reward whereunto God calleth us in him. And the Apostle setteth these true exercises of godliness against those vain ceremonies of the Law, wherein the false apostles put the sum of godliness.
  13. Philippians 3:11 To life everlasting, which followeth the resurrection of the Saints.
  14. Philippians 3:12 For we run not, but so far forth, as we are laid hold on of Christ, that is, as God giveth us strength, and showeth us the way.
  15. Philippians 3:15 The conclusion of this exhortation standing upon three members: The one is, that such as have profited in the truth of this doctrine, should continue in it. The second is, that if there be any which are yet ignorant and understand not these things, and doubt of the abolishing of the Law, they should cause no trouble, and should be gently born withall, until they also be instructed of the Lord. The third is, that they esteem the false apostles by their fruits: wherein he doubteth not to set forth himself for an example.
  16. Philippians 3:15 He said before that he was not perfect. So that in this place he calleth them perfect, which have somewhat profited in the knowledge of Christ and the Gospel, whom he setteth against the rude and ignorant, as he expoundeth himself in the next verse following.
  17. Philippians 3:18 He painteth out the false apostles in their colors, not upon malice or ambition, but with sorrow and tears, to wit, because that being enemies of the Gospel (for that is joined with affliction) they regard nothing else, but the commodities of this life: that is to say, that flowing in peace, and quietness, and all worldly pleasures, they may live in great estimation amongst men, whose miserable end he forewarned them of.
  18. Philippians 3:19 Reward.
  19. Philippians 3:19 Which they hunt after at men’s hands.
  20. Philippians 3:20 He setteth against these fellows, true pastors which neglect earthly things, and aspire to heaven only, where they know, that even in their bodies they shall be clothed with that eternal glory, by the virtue of God.

look to the dogs, look to the evil-workers, look to the concision;

for we are the circumcision, who by the Spirit are serving God, and glorying in Christ Jesus, and in flesh having no trust,

though I also have [cause of] trust in flesh. If any other one doth think to have trust in flesh, I more;

circumcision on the eighth day! of the race of Israel! of the tribe of Benjamin! a Hebrew of Hebrews! according to law a Pharisee!

according to zeal persecuting the assembly! according to righteousness that is in law becoming blameless!

But what things were to me gains, these I have counted, because of the Christ, loss;

yes, indeed, and I count all things to be loss, because of the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, because of whom of the all things I suffered loss, and do count them to be refuse, that Christ I may gain, and be found in him,

not having my righteousness, which [is] of law, but that which [is] through faith of Christ -- the righteousness that is of God by the faith,

10 to know him, and the power of his rising again, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to his death,

11 if anyhow I may attain to the rising again of the dead.

12 Not that I did already obtain, or have been already perfected; but I pursue, if also I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by the Christ Jesus;

13 brethren, I do not reckon myself to have laid hold; and one thing -- the things behind indeed forgetting, and to the things before stretching forth --

14 to the mark I pursue for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

15 As many, therefore, as [are] perfect -- let us think this, and if [in] anything ye think otherwise, this also shall God reveal to you,

16 but to what we have come -- by the same rule walk, the same thing think;

17 become followers together of me, brethren, and observe those thus walking, according as ye have us -- a pattern;

18 for many walk of whom many times I told you -- and now also weeping tell -- the enemies of the cross of the Christ!

19 whose end [is] destruction, whose god [is] the belly, and whose glory [is] in their shame, who the things on earth are minding.

20 For our citizenship is in the heavens, whence also a Saviour we await -- the Lord Jesus Christ --

21 who shall transform the body of our humiliation to its becoming conformed to the body of his glory, according to the working of his power, even to subject to himself the all things.

Read full chapter