No Confidence in the Flesh

3 Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again,^(A) and it is a safeguard for you. ² Watch out for those dogs,^(B) those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. ³ For it is we who are the circumcision,^(C) we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus,^(D) and who put no confidence in the flesh— ⁴ though I myself have reasons for such confidence.^(E)

If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: ⁵ circumcised^(F) on the eighth day, of the people of Israel,^(G) of the tribe of Benjamin,^(H) a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee;^{(I) 6} as for zeal,^(J) persecuting the church;^(K) as for righteousness based on the law,^(L) faultless.

⁷ But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss^(M) for the sake of Christ. ⁸ What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing^(N) Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ^{(O) 9} and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law,^(P) but that which is through faith in^[a] Christ—the righteousness^(Q) that comes from God on the basis of faith.^{(R) 10} I want to know^(S) Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings,^(T) becoming like him in his death,^{(U) 11} and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection^(V) from the dead.

¹² Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal,^(W) but I press on to take hold^(X) of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.^{(Y) 13} Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind^(Z) and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴ I press on^(AA) toward the goal to win the prize^(AB) for which God has called^(AC) me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Following Paul’s Example

¹⁵ All of us, then, who are mature^(AD) should take such a view of things.^(AE) And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.^{(AF) 16} Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

¹⁷ Join together in following my example,^(AG) brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.^{(AH) 18} For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears,^(AI) many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.^{(AJ) 19} Their destiny^(AK) is destruction, their god is their stomach,^(AL) and their glory is in their shame.^(AM) Their mind is set on earthly things.^{(AN) 20} But our citizenship^(AO) is in heaven.^(AP) And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,^{(AQ) 21} who, by the power^(AR) that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies^(AS) so that they will be like his glorious body.^(AT)

Closing Appeal for Steadfastness and Unity

4 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for,^(AU) my joy and crown, stand firm^(AV) in the Lord in this way, dear friends!

² I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind^(AW) in the Lord. ³ Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers,^(AX) whose names are in the book of life.^(AY)

Final Exhortations

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!^{(AZ) 5} Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.^{(BA) 6} Do not be anxious about anything,^(BB) but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.^{(BC) 7} And the peace of God,^(BD) which transcends all understanding,^(BE) will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹ Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice.^(BF) And the God of peace^(BG) will be with you.

Thanks for Their Gifts

¹⁰ I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me.^(BH) Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. ¹¹ I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content^(BI) whatever the circumstances. ¹² I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry,^(BJ) whether living in plenty or in want.^{(BK) 13} I can do all this through him who gives me strength.^(BL)

¹⁴ Yet it was good of you to share^(BM) in my troubles. ¹⁵ Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days^(BN) of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia,^(BO) not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only;^{(BP) 16} for even when I was in Thessalonica,^(BQ) you sent me aid more than once when I was in need.^{(BR) 17} Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account.^{(BS) 18} I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus^(BT) the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant^(BU) offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. ¹⁹ And my God will meet all your needs^(BV) according to the riches of his glory^(BW) in Christ Jesus.

²⁰ To our God and Father^(BX) be glory for ever and ever. Amen.^(BY)

Final Greetings

²¹ Greet all God’s people in Christ Jesus. The brothers and sisters who are with me^(BZ) send greetings. ²² All God’s people^(CA) here send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household.

²³ The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ^(CB) be with your spirit.^(CC) Amen.^[b]

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God^(A) our Savior^(B) and of Christ Jesus our hope,^(C)

² To Timothy^(D) my true son^(E) in the faith:

Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.^(F)

Timothy Charged to Oppose False Teachers

³ As I urged you when I went into Macedonia,^(G) stay there in Ephesus^(H) so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines^(I) any longer ⁴ or to devote themselves to myths^(J) and endless genealogies.^(K) Such things promote controversial speculations^(L) rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith. ⁵ The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart^(M) and a good conscience^(N) and a sincere faith.^{(O) 6} Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk. ⁷ They want to be teachers^(P) of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.^(Q)

⁸ We know that the law is good^(R) if one uses it properly. ⁹ We also know that the law is made not for the righteous^(S) but for lawbreakers and rebels,^(T) the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, ¹⁰ for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine^{(U) 11} that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.^(V)

The Lord’s Grace to Paul

¹² I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength,^(W) that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service.^{(X) 13} Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor^(Y) and a violent man, I was shown mercy^(Z) because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.^{(AA) 14} The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly,^(AB) along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.^(AC)

¹⁵ Here is a trustworthy saying^(AD) that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners^(AE)—of whom I am the worst. ¹⁶ But for that very reason I was shown mercy^(AF) so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience^(AG) as an example for those who would believe^(AH) in him and receive eternal life.^{(AI) 17} Now to the King^(AJ) eternal, immortal,^(AK) invisible,^(AL) the only God,^(AM) be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.^(AN)

The Charge to Timothy Renewed

¹⁸ Timothy, my son,^(AO) I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you,^(AP) so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well,^{(AQ) 19} holding on to faith and a good conscience,^(AR) which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith.^{(AS) 20} Among them are Hymenaeus^(AT) and Alexander,^(AU) whom I have handed over to Satan^(AV) to be taught not to blaspheme.

Instructions on Worship

2 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers,^(AW) intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— ² for kings and all those in authority,^(AX) that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness^(AY) and holiness. ³ This is good, and pleases^(AZ) God our Savior,^{(BA) 4} who wants^(BB) all people^(BC) to be saved^(BD) and to come to a knowledge of the truth.^{(BE) 5} For there is one God^(BF) and one mediator^(BG) between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus,^{(BH) 6} who gave himself as a ransom^(BI) for all people. This has now been witnessed to^(BJ) at the proper time.^{(BK) 7} And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying^(BL)—and a true and faithful teacher^(BM) of the Gentiles.^(BN)

⁸ Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands^(BO) without anger or disputing. ⁹ I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes,^{(BP) 10} but with good deeds,^(BQ) appropriate for women who profess to worship God.

¹¹ A woman^[a] should learn in quietness and full submission.^{(BR) 12} I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man;^[b] she must be quiet.^{(BS) 13} For Adam was formed first, then Eve.^{(BT) 14} And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner.^{(BU) 15} But women^[c] will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love^(BV) and holiness with propriety.