Philippians 3
Wycliffe Bible
3 Henceforward, my brethren, have ye joy in the Lord. To write to you the same things, to me it is not slow, and to you it is necessary.
2 See ye hounds, see ye evil workmen, see ye division [see ye concision].
3 For we be circumcision, which by spirit serve to God, and glory in Christ Jesus, and have not trust in the flesh,
4 though I have trust, yea, in the flesh. If any other man is seen to trust in the flesh, I more,
5 that was circumcised in the eighth day, of the kin of Israel [circumcised in the eighth day, of the kindred of Israel], of the lineage of Benjamin, an Hebrew of Hebrews, by the law a Pharisee [after the law a Pharisee],
6 by love pursuing the church of God, by rightwiseness that is in the law living without plaint. [after love pursuing the church of God, after rightwiseness that is in the law living without plaint.]
7 But which things were to me winnings, I have deemed these impairings for Christ.
8 Nevertheless I guess all things to be impairment for the clear science of Jesus Christ my Lord. For whom I made all things impairment, and I deem as drit [and I deem as turds], that I win Christ,
9 and that I be found in him, not having my rightwiseness that is of the law, but that that is of the faith of Christ Jesus [but that that is of the faith of Christ], that is of God the rightwiseness in faith,
10 to know him, and the virtue of his rising again, and the fellowship of his passion, and to be made like to his death, [to know him, and the virtue of his rising again, and the fellowship of his passion, I configured, or made like, to his death,]
11 if on any manner I come to the resurrection that is from death. [if on any manner I shall come to the resurrection that is of dead men.]
12 Not that now I have taken, or now am perfect; but I follow, if in any manner I catch, in which thing also I am caught of Christ Jesus. [Not that now I have taken, or now am perfect; forsooth I follow, if on any manner I shall comprehend, in which thing also I am comprehended of Christ Jesus.]
13 Brethren, I deem me not that I have caught; but one thing, I forget those things that be behind, and stretching forth myself to those things that be before, [Brethren, I deem me not to have comprehended; one thing, forsooth, I forgetting soothly those things that be behind, stretching myself forsooth to those things that be the former,]
14 and pursue to the ordained meed of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. [to the ordained thing, pursue to the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.]
15 Therefore whoever we be perfect, feel we this thing. And if ye understand in other manner any thing, this thing God shall show to you.
16 Nevertheless to what thing we have come, that we understand the same thing, and that we perfectly dwell in the same rule.
17 Brethren, be ye my followers, and watch ye them that walk so [and wait ye (on) them that walk so], as ye have our form.
18 For many walk, which I have said oft to you, but now I weeping say, the enemies of Christ's cross, [Forsooth many walk, whom I have said oft to you, forsooth now and I weeping say, them, the enemies of Christ's cross,]
19 whose end is death, whose god is the womb, and the glory in [the] confusion of them, that savour earthly things [that savour, or understand, earthly things].
20 But our living is in heavens [Forsooth our living is in heaven]; from whence also we abide the Saviour our Lord Jesus Christ,
21 which shall reform the body of our meekness, that is made like to the body of his clearness, by the working by which he may also make all things subject to him. [which shall reform the body of our meekness, configured, or made like, to the body of his clearness, after the working by which he may also make all things subject to him.]
Philippians 3
New Matthew Bible
He warns them to beware of false teachers, whom he calls dogs, evil workers, and enemies of Christ. He reproves man’s own righteousness.
3 Moreover, my brethren, put your trust in the Lord. It grieves me not to write the same thing often to you, for to you it is a safeguard. 2 Beware of dogs. Beware of evil workers. Beware of dissension.
3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, and trust in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh – 4 though I have whereof I might be confident in the flesh. If any other man thinks that he has reason to trust in the flesh, I have much more: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the kindred of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of the Hebrews; as concerning the law, a Pharisee, 6 and as concerning zeal, I persecuted the congregation. And as for the righteousness that is in the law, I was unrebukable.
7 But the things that were of advantage to me, I counted worthless for Christ’s sake. 8 Yea, I think all things worthless for the sake of the supreme and precious knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord. For him I have counted all things a waste, and do judge them but dung, so that I may win Christ, 9 and may be found in him – not having my own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is of the faith that is in Christ. I mean the righteousness which comes from God through faith, 10 in knowing him, and the power of the resurrection, and the fellowship of his passions, so that I may be conformable to his death, 11 if by any means I might attain to the resurrection of the dead.
12 It is not as if I had already attained to it, or were already perfect. But I press on, if so be that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself as having gotten it. But one thing I say: I forget that which is behind and reach for that which is ahead, 14 and press on to that mark appointed, to obtain the reward of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as are sound in the faith, be so minded. And if you are otherwise minded, I pray God would open this to you.
16 Nevertheless, in that to which we have come, let us proceed by one rule so that we may be of one accord. 17 Brethren, be followers of me, and observe those who walk in the same way, since you have us for an example. 18 For many walk (of whom I have told you often, and now tell you weeping) as enemies of the cross of Christ, 19 whose end is damnation, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is to their shame – who are worldly-minded. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, from whence we look for a saviour, even the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will change our lowly bodies so that they may be fashioned like his glorious body, by the power with which he is able to subdue all things to himself.
Philippians 3
1599 Geneva Bible
3 2 He refuteth the vain boastings of the false apostles, 7 and setteth Christ against them. 10 He setteth out the force and nature of faith, 15 that laying all things aside, they may be partakers of the Cross of Christ, 18 the enemies whereof, he noteth out.
1 Moreover, [a]my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. [b]It grieveth me not to write the [c]same things to you, and for you it is a sure thing.
2 Beware of dogs: beware of evil workers: beware of the [d]concision.
3 [e]For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence [f]in the flesh:
4 [g]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,
5 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.
6 Concerning zeal, I persecuted the Church: touching the righteousness which is in the Law, I was unrebukeable.
7 But the things that were [h]vantage unto me, the same I counted loss for Christ’s sake.
8 Yea, doubtless I think [i]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 [j]win Christ,
9 And might be found in [k]him, that is, [l]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 [m]That I may [n]know him, and the virtue of his resurrection, and the [o]fellowship of his afflictions, and be made conformable unto his death,
11 If by any means I might attain unto the [p]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 [q]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 [r]Let us therefore as many as be [s]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)[t] 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 [u]end is damnation, whose God is their belly, and whose [v]glory is to their shame, which mind earthly things.
20 [w]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.
Footnotes
- Philippians 3:1 A conclusion of those things which have been before said, to wit, that they go forward cheerfully in the Lord.
- Philippians 3:1 A preface to the next admonition that followeth, to take good heed and beware of false apostles, which join Circumcision with Christ, (that is to say, justification by works, with free justification by faith) and beat into men’s heads the ceremonies which are abolished: for true exercises of godliness and charity. And he calleth them dogs as profane barkers, and evil workmen, because they neglected true works and did not teach the true use of them. To be short, he calleth them Concision, because in urging Circumcision, they cut off themselves and others from the Church.
- Philippians 3:1 Which you have oftentimes heard of me.
- Philippians 3:2 He alludeth to Circumcision, of the name whereof while they boasted, they cut asunder the Church.
- 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.
- Philippians 3:3 In outward things, which pertain nothing to the soul.
- 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.
- Philippians 3:7 Which is accounted for vantage.
- Philippians 3:8 He shutteth out all works, as well those that go before, as those that come after faith.
- 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.
- Philippians 3:9 In Christ: for they that are found without Christ, are subject to condemnation.
- 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.
- 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.
- Philippians 3:10 That I may feel him indeed, and have a trial of him.
- 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.
- Philippians 3:11 To life everlasting, which followeth the resurrection of the Saints.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Philippians 3:19 Reward.
- Philippians 3:19 Which they hunt after at men’s hands.
- 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.
Philippians 3
Authorized (King James) Version
3 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe. 2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. 3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. 4 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: 5 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; 6 concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. 7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 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, 9 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.
2001 by Terence P. Noble
Copyright © 2016 by Ruth Magnusson (Davis). Includes emendations to February 2022. All rights reserved.
Geneva Bible, 1599 Edition. Published by Tolle Lege Press. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations in articles, reviews, and broadcasts.
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