Philippians 3
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1Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not tiresome, but for you it is safe. 2Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision. 3For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh; 4though I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If any other man thinks that he has confidence in the flesh, I yet more: 5circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; 6concerning zeal, persecuting the assembly; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, found blameless. 7However, I consider those things that were gain to me as a loss for Christ. 8Yes most certainly, and I count all things to be a loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord, for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and count them nothing but refuse, that I may gain Christ 9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own, that which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming conformed to his death; 11if by any means I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. 12Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect; but I press on, that I may take hold of that for which also I was taken hold of by Christ Jesus. 13Brothers, I don’t regard myself as yet having taken hold, but one thing I do. Forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before, 14I press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 15Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, think this way. If in anything you think otherwise, God will also reveal that to you. 16Nevertheless, to the extent that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule. Let us be of the same mind. 17Brothers, be imitators together of me, and note those who walk this way, even as you have us for an example. 18For many walk, of whom I told you often, and now tell you even weeping, as the enemies of the cross of Christ, 19whose end is destruction, whose god is the belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who think about earthly things. 20For our citizenship is in heaven, from where we also wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; 21who will change the body of our humiliation to be conformed to the body of his glory, according to the working by which he is able even to subject all things to himself.
World English Bible (public domain)
“and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own, that which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;”
Philippians 3:9
Summary
In Philippians 3, Paul addresses the Philippians with a call to rejoice in the Lord while warning them about false teachers who boast in external rites and fleshly confidence. He shares his personal credentials to illustrate that reliance on the law is insufficient, declaring everything he once valued as loss compared to knowing Christ. Paul emphasizes the importance of faith over works and urges believers to press on toward spiritual maturity, forgetting past achievements. He encourages unity and a shared mindset among mature believers, contrasting their heavenly citizenship with those focused on earthly things. The chapter culminates in a hopeful expectation of transformation through Christ, reinforcing key themes of perseverance and faith.
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Chapter outline
How Philippians 3 unfolds
Philippians 3:1–2 Rejoicing and Warnings
Paul encourages the Philippians to rejoice in the Lord and warns them against false leaders, using sharp language to emphasize the seriousness of the threat.
Philippians 3:3–6 Confidence in the Flesh
He contrasts true believers with those who rely on external markers, detailing his own Jewish credentials to illustrate that confidence in the flesh is inadequate.
Philippians 3:7–11 Gains and Losses
Paul reflects on his past achievements, considering them loss compared to the value of knowing Christ, emphasizing faith over personal righteousness.
Philippians 3:12–14 Pressing On
He expresses his ongoing pursuit of spiritual maturity and the goal of resurrection, indicating that he has not yet reached perfection.
Philippians 3:15–16 Shared Mind and Maturity
Paul invites those who are mature to adopt the same mindset and encourages unity among believers, stressing the importance of consistency in their faith.
Philippians 3:17–19 Following Paul’s Example
He urges the Philippians to imitate his example while warning about those who live contrary to the Gospel, highlighting the danger of earthly focus.
Philippians 3:20–21 Citizenship in Heaven
The chapter concludes with a reminder of their heavenly citizenship and the transformative power of Christ, looking forward to final redemption.
Key verses
Philippians 3:9Verse 9 carries significant weight as it encapsulates the shift from self-righteousness to reliance on faith in Christ.
Main themes in Philippians 3
Faith Over Law
This theme surfaces in verses 3-9, where Paul stresses that true righteousness comes through faith in Christ rather than adherence to the law. He develops this by recounting his achievements and discarding them as worthless. This establishes a foundation for the chapter's larger movement, which contrasts human efforts with divine grace.
Pursuit of Maturity
Paul introduces the theme of pursuing maturity in verses 12-14, where he articulates the importance of pressing on toward spiritual goals. This development underscores that maturity is not a one-time achievement but rather a continuous journey that necessitates perseverance, focus, and an active response to God’s calling. Within the broader context of the chapter, this pursuit serves as a vital aspect of the believer's journey in aligning their life with Christ’s purpose.
Heavenly Citizenship
In verses 20-21, Paul emphasizes that the true citizenship of believers is in heaven, contrasting it sharply with the values of this earthly realm. This theme is further expanded through the call to eagerly await the return of Christ, who will transform believers' bodies to reflect His glory. The emphasis on heavenly citizenship reinforces the chapter’s overall message about prioritizing eternal realities over present circumstances and encourages believers to live in a manner that reflects their heavenly identity.
Cross-references
Passages that echo Philippians 3
- Romans 8Both passages emphasize the role of the Spirit in empowering believers and contrasting flesh with spiritual living.
- 1 Corinthians 9Paul’s discussion of pressing on toward a goal connects with the theme of discipline and perseverance found in both letters.
- Hebrews 12This reference echoes the idea of running a race set before believers, similar to Paul’s pursuit of the heavenly calling.
- 2 Corinthians 5The hope of transformation from a body of humiliation to one of glory connects Paul's message of future resurrection.
- Colossians 3This passage shares the theme of focusing on heavenly things, aligning with Paul’s reminder of their citizenship in heaven.
- Luke 9The call to take up one's cross and follow Christ parallels Paul’s teachings on suffering and perseverance in faith.
Study questions
Questions for studying Philippians 3
- What does Paul mean by 'beware of the dogs' in verse 2?
- How does Paul use his background to argue against reliance on the flesh?
- What does Paul consider loss for the sake of knowing Christ?
- How does Paul describe the process of pressing on toward the goal?
- What characteristics define the enemies of the cross mentioned in the chapter?
- How does the theme of citizenship appear in verses 20 and 21?
- What does Paul encourage regarding maturity and unity among believers?
Philippians 3: frequently asked questions
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