The Goal of Life

Finally, my brothers and sisters, (A)rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble for me, and it is a safeguard for you.

Beware of the (B)dogs, beware of the (C)evil workers, beware of the [a]false circumcision; for (D)we are the true [b]circumcision, who (E)worship in the Spirit of God and take (F)pride in (G)Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh, although (H)I myself could boast as having confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he is confident in the flesh, I have more reason: (I)circumcised the eighth day, of the (J)nation of Israel, of the (K)tribe of Benjamin, a (L)Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, (M)a Pharisee; as to zeal, (N)a persecutor of the church; as to the (O)righteousness which is in the Law, found (P)blameless.

But (Q)whatever things were gain to me, these things I have counted as loss because of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss [c]in view of the surpassing value of [d](R)knowing (S)Christ Jesus my Lord, [e]for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them mere rubbish, so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having (T)a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, (U)the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, 10 that I may (V)know Him and (W)the power of His resurrection and [f](X)the fellowship of His sufferings, being (Y)conformed to His death; 11 if somehow I may (Z)attain to the resurrection from the dead.

12 Not that I have already [g](AA)grasped it all or have already (AB)become perfect, but I press on if I may also (AC)take hold of that [h]for which I (AD)was even taken hold of by (AE)Christ Jesus. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not regard myself as having taken hold of it yet; but one thing I do: (AF)forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I (AG)press on toward the goal for the prize of the (AH)upward call of God in (AI)Christ Jesus. 15 Therefore, all who are [i](AJ)mature, let’s have this attitude; and if in anything you have a (AK)different attitude, (AL)God will reveal that to you as well; 16 however, let’s keep [j](AM)living by that same standard to which we have attained.

17 Brothers and sisters, (AN)join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the (AO)pattern you have in us. 18 For (AP)many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even as I (AQ)weep, that they are the enemies of (AR)the cross of Christ, 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their [k](AS)appetite, and whose (AT)glory is in their shame, who (AU)have their minds on earthly things. 20 For (AV)our [l]citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly (AW)wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; 21 who will (AX)transform the body of our lowly condition into (AY)conformity with [m]His (AZ)glorious body, (BA)by the exertion of the power that He has even to (BB)subject all things to Himself.

Footnotes

  1. Philippians 3:2 Lit mutilation; Gr katatome
  2. Philippians 3:3 Gr peritome
  3. Philippians 3:8 Lit because of
  4. Philippians 3:8 Lit the knowledge of
  5. Philippians 3:8 Lit because of
  6. Philippians 3:10 Or participation in
  7. Philippians 3:12 Or obtained
  8. Philippians 3:12 Or because also
  9. Philippians 3:15 Or perfect
  10. Philippians 3:16 Lit following in line
  11. Philippians 3:19 Lit belly
  12. Philippians 3:20 Lit commonwealth
  13. Philippians 3:21 Lit the body of His glory

As to the rest, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord; the same things to write to you to me indeed is not tiresome, and for you [is] sure;

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.