Paul, writing pastorally and apostolically from imprisonment, continues to shepherd the Philippian church toward joy, humility, discernment, and steadfast gospel confidence.
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Philippians 3
Counting All Things Loss and Pressing On Toward Christ
Because Christ surpasses every earthly and religious gain, believers must abandon confidence in the flesh, be found in Christ, press on toward Him, and live as citizens awaiting His transforming return.
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Chapter Summary
Because Christ surpasses every earthly and religious gain, believers must abandon confidence in the flesh, be found in Christ, press on toward Him, and live as citizens awaiting His transforming return.
Overview
Philippians 3 argues that true Christian confidence rests entirely in Christ, not in fleshly privilege, religious achievement, law-based righteousness, earthly appetite, or civic status. The believer's life is now defined by gaining Christ, receiving righteousness from God through faith, knowing Christ in resurrection power and suffering fellowship, pressing toward final resurrection, imitating faithful examples, rejecting cross-denying patterns, and awaiting bodily transformation from the returning Lord.
Context
The saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, a Roman-colony congregation marked by gospel partnership but vulnerable to external pressure, internal strain, and false teaching that could distort confidence in Christ.
After calling the church to unity, humility, and obedient witness in Philippians 2, Paul turns sharply to warning and theological clarification. The chapter likely addresses Judaizing or law-centered confidence threats, while also confronting broader worldly patterns that oppose the cross.
Because Christ surpasses every earthly and religious gain, believers must abandon confidence in the flesh, be found in Christ, press on toward Him, and live as citizens awaiting His transforming return.
Paul, writing pastorally and apostolically from imprisonment, continues to shepherd the Philippian church toward joy, humility, discernment, and steadfast gospel confidence.
The saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, a Roman-colony congregation marked by gospel partnership but vulnerable to external pressure, internal strain, and false teaching that could distort confidence in Christ.
After calling the church to unity, humility, and obedient witness in Philippians 2, Paul turns sharply to warning and theological clarification. The chapter likely addresses Judaizing or law-centered confidence threats, while also confronting broader worldly patterns that oppose the cross.
Social Pressure
- The Philippians face danger from teachers who promote confidence in fleshly markers and from patterns of life that reject the cross through appetite, shameful glory, and earthbound thinking. The Roman colonial setting also heightens the weight of Paul's language about citizenship in heaven.
Philippi's Roman identity made civic status, public honor, ancestry, and privilege meaningful categories. Paul subverts every form of status boasting by declaring His own elite covenantal credentials loss compared with Christ and by locating believers' true citizenship in heaven.
Philippians 3 belongs to the apostolic age after Christ's death, resurrection, ascension, and exaltation. Paul reads Israel's covenant privileges and law-shaped identity through fulfillment in Christ, declaring righteousness through faith in Christ and resurrection hope as the believer's final horizon.
Chapter Movement
From rejoicing and warning, to renouncing fleshly confidence, to gaining Christ and His righteousness, to pressing toward resurrection fullness, to imitating mature examples, to awaiting the Savior from heaven.
Discourse Insight
Theological exposition and fulfillment
Philippians 3 clarifies the gospel by showing that sinners are not made righteous through fleshly privilege, religious résumé, law-keeping confidence, zeal, or moral accomplishment, but through being found in Christ with the righteousness from God that comes through faith. The gospel gives Christ Himself as surpassing treasure, brings believers into participation with His death and resurrection life, and anchors hope in the returning Savior who will transform the body and subject all things to Himself.
Structural Flow
Paul repeats the call to rejoice in the Lord and presents warning as pastoral protection rather than burdensome repetition.
False covenant confidence is contrasted with true Spirit-enabled worship, Christ-boasting, and refusal of fleshly confidence.
Paul names His strongest former advantages to show that He is not critiquing fleshly confidence from weakness but from Christ-given clarity.
Christ revalues Paul's entire former ledger, turning gains into loss because knowing Christ is surpassingly worthy.
Paul rejects righteousness of His own from the law and seeks the righteousness from God through faith.
Knowing Christ includes resurrection power, suffering fellowship, conformity to His death, and resurrection hope.
Paul presses on because Christ has already taken hold of Him, grounding perseverance in prior grace.
Paul calls mature believers to share this forward-pressing posture and live according to what they have already attained.
The church is to imitate apostolic examples and watch carefully those who embody the gospel pattern.
Paul weeps over those whose lives deny the cross and whose destiny, appetite, glory, and mindset are tragically disordered.
The chapter climaxes in heavenly citizenship, eager expectation of Christ, bodily transformation, and Christ's sovereign power.
Chapter Outline
- 3:1-3: Paul calls the Philippians to rejoice and warns them against corrupt workers, defining the true people of God as those who worship by the Spirit, boast in Christ, and place no confidence in the flesh.
- 3:4-6: Paul lists His former covenant credentials, ancestral privileges, Pharisaic zeal, and law-righteousness, showing that He had every human reason for confidence if such confidence could save.
- 3:7-9: Paul declares all former gains loss because of Christ and seeks to be found in Him with righteousness from God through faith, not righteousness of His own from the law.
- 3:10-11: Paul's desire is to know Christ in the power of His resurrection, the fellowship of His sufferings, conformity to His death, and final resurrection hope.
- 3:12-16: Paul denies perfectionism or complacency. Because Christ has taken hold of Him, He presses toward the goal and calls mature believers to the same mindset.
- 3:17-19: Paul calls the church to follow faithful examples while warning against those whose lives are ruled by appetite, shame, earthly-mindedness, and opposition to the cross.
- 3:20-21: Believers await the Savior from heaven, who will transform their lowly bodies to be like His glorious body by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control.
Theological Argument
Philippians 3 argues that true Christian confidence rests entirely in Christ, not in fleshly privilege, religious achievement, law-based righteousness, earthly appetite, or civic status. The believer's life is now defined by gaining Christ, receiving righteousness from God through faith, knowing Christ in resurrection power and suffering fellowship, pressing toward final resurrection, imitating faithful examples, rejecting cross-denying patterns, and awaiting bodily transformation from the returning Lord.
The chapter moves from warning against false confidence, to Paul's renunciation of former gains, to righteousness and knowledge of Christ, to persevering pursuit, to patterned imitation, to heavenly citizenship and resurrection hope.
- 1.Rejoicing in the Lord requires protection from false teaching and false confidence.
- 2.The true people of God are identified by Spirit-enabled worship, boasting in Christ, and refusing confidence in the flesh.
- 3.Paul's former advantages prove that he understands the strongest possible case for religious and covenantal boasting.
- 4.The encounter with Christ revalues every former gain as loss.
- 5.Knowing Christ is of surpassing worth because Christ himself, not status or achievement, is the believer's treasure.
- 6.Being found in Christ requires righteousness from God through faith, not a righteousness of one's own from the law.
- 7.The Christian life is a continual pursuit of knowing Christ more deeply in resurrection power, suffering fellowship, and conformity to his death.
- 8.Paul has not arrived, but he presses on because Christ has already taken hold of him.
- 9.Mature believers are not those who claim completion, but those who press forward with gospel-minded humility.
- 10.The church must imitate faithful examples and reject lifestyles that deny the cross.
- 11.Believers' true citizenship is in heaven, and their hope is fixed on the Savior who will transform their bodies and subject all things to himself.
Theological Focus
- Joy in the Lord as spiritual safeguard
- False confidence and the danger of fleshly boasting
- True covenant identity through Spirit-enabled worship and Christ-boasting
- The surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus
- Righteousness from God through faith in Christ
- Union with Christ expressed as being found in Him
- Participation in Christ's resurrection power and sufferings
- Conformity to Christ's death
- Perseverance in the already-not-yet Christian life
- Mature pursuit rather than spiritual arrivalism
- Apostolic imitation and embodied discipleship
- Enemies of the cross and earthbound living
- Heavenly citizenship
- Eager expectation of the Savior
- Bodily resurrection and transformation
- Christ's sovereign power to subject all things to Himself
- No Confidence in the Flesh
- Gaining Christ
- Righteousness Through Faith
- Knowing Christ
- Pressing On
- Imitation
- Enemies of the Cross
- Heavenly Citizenship
- Resurrection Hope
- Justification by Faith
- Union with Christ
- Christology
- Sanctification
- Perseverance
- Resurrection
- Ecclesiology
- Pneumatology
- Eschatology
- Christian Suffering
- Warning and Apostasy
Theological Themes
Paul dismantles every basis for human boasting, including religious heritage, covenant signs, zeal, and external law-righteousness.
Christ is the surpassing treasure for whom every former advantage becomes loss.
Paul contrasts self-derived righteousness from the law with the righteousness from God that comes through faith in Christ.
Christian life is not merely legal standing but personal, participatory knowledge of Christ in resurrection power, suffering, and hope.
The believer lives between having been grasped by Christ and awaiting final resurrection, therefore pressing forward rather than settling down spiritually.
The church must learn by observing faithful examples whose lives match apostolic gospel teaching.
Paul warns with tears against lives that deny the cross through appetite-rule, shameful glory, and earthly-mindedness.
Believers belong to a heavenly commonwealth and await the Savior who will transform their bodies.
The chapter's hope is not escape from embodiment but transformation of the body by Christ's sovereign power.
Covenant Significance
Philippians 3 shows that covenant identity has reached its fulfillment in Christ. Circumcision, ancestral privilege, Torah zeal, and external righteousness cannot be treated as final grounds of confidence. The true people of God worship by the Spirit, boast in Christ Jesus, receive righteousness from God through faith, and await resurrection transformation from the heavenly Savior. The chapter therefore relocates covenant confidence from fleshly markers to union with Christ and Spirit-enabled worship.
Old Testament Connections
- True circumcision is redefined around Spirit-enabled worship, boasting in Christ, and no confidence in the flesh.
- Paul's Israelite credentials are not denied as historically real but are relativized under the surpassing worth of Christ.
- Righteousness from God through faith fulfills the need that law-based self-righteousness cannot satisfy.
- Participation in Christ's sufferings and resurrection power marks the new-covenant pattern of life.
- Heavenly citizenship identifies the church as an eschatological people whose allegiance and hope are governed by Christ.
- Bodily transformation fulfills resurrection hope, showing that salvation reaches the whole person.
- Genesis 17 provides the covenant background for circumcision, which Paul now interprets through Christ and the Spirit.
- Deuteronomy 10:16 and 30:6 anticipate a deeper circumcision of the heart, fulfilled in Spirit-shaped covenant identity.
- Jeremiah 9:23-26 critiques boasting and uncircumcised hearts, resonating with Paul's rejection of fleshly confidence.
- Isaiah 45:24-25 anticipates righteousness and boasting in the Lord, now focused in Christ.
- Daniel 12:2-3 contributes resurrection hope that aligns with Paul's longing for resurrection and bodily transformation.
- Psalm 110:1 contributes to the theme of the Lord's sovereign subjection of all things.
Canonical Connections
Paul's claim that believers are the circumcision connects to the Old Testament movement from external covenant sign to heart-level covenant renewal.
Paul's rejection of fleshly boasting and confidence in Christ aligns with the biblical command to boast only in the Lord and His righteousness.
Philippians 3:9 participates in Paul's wider doctrine that righteousness is received by faith rather than achieved through works of the law.
Paul's desire to know Christ in resurrection power and suffering fellowship reflects the New Testament pattern that disciples share in Christ's death-and-life shape.
The athletic and pursuit imagery fits the wider apostolic pattern of endurance, discipline, and forward movement toward final reward.
The believer's true citizenship and future bodily transformation align with the New Testament hope of resurrection and conformity to Christ.
Paul's statement that Christ brings everything under His control fits the canonical testimony of the Messiah's universal reign.
Cross References
Gospel Clarity
Philippians 3 clarifies the gospel by showing that sinners are not made righteous through fleshly privilege, religious résumé, law-keeping confidence, zeal, or moral accomplishment, but through being found in Christ with the righteousness from God that comes through faith. The gospel gives Christ Himself as surpassing treasure, brings believers into participation with His death and resurrection life, and anchors hope in the returning Savior who will transform the body and subject all things to Himself.
Gospel Guardrails
- True worship is by the Spirit of God and true boasting is in Christ Jesus.
- No fleshly credential can serve as the ground of saving confidence.
- Christ redefines gain and loss for the believer.
- The gospel gives righteousness from God through faith in Christ.
- Being found in Christ is the believer's secure position and deepest need.
- Knowing Christ includes resurrection power and fellowship in His sufferings.
- Christ has taken hold of the believer before the believer presses on.
- The cross exposes and condemns earthbound appetite, shameful glory, and false confidence.
- The Savior will return from heaven.
- Christ will transform the believer's lowly body into conformity with His glorious body.
- Christ has sovereign power to bring all things under His control.
- Do not reduce the gospel to moral improvement · Paul rejects righteousness of His own.
- Do not reduce the gospel to legal standing without communion with Christ · Paul longs to know Christ.
- Do not turn pressing on into earning salvation · Paul presses on because Christ has already taken hold of Him.
- Do not treat suffering as outside Christian discipleship · Paul includes fellowship in Christ's sufferings.
- Do not preach heavenly citizenship as disembodied escape · the hope is bodily transformation.
- Do not soften Paul's warnings against false confidence and enemies of the cross · gospel clarity includes protective warning.
- Do not make Christian maturity static · maturity presses forward toward the goal.
Primary Emphasis
Philippians 3 presents Christ as the surpassing treasure, the ground of righteousness, the one in whom believers are found, the one whose resurrection power is known, the one whose sufferings shape discipleship, the one whose death conforms His people, the one who has taken hold of Paul, the heavenly Savior whom believers await, and the Lord who will transform their bodies and subject all things to Himself.
Chapter Contribution
Philippians 3 argues that true Christian confidence rests entirely in Christ, not in fleshly privilege, religious achievement, law-based righteousness, earthly appetite, or civic status. The believer's life is now defined by gaining Christ, receiving righteousness from God through faith, knowing Christ in resurrection power and suffering fellowship, pressing toward final resurrection, imitating faithful examples, rejecting cross-denying patterns, and awaiting bodily transformation from the returning Lord.
Doctrines in This Chapter
Believers boast only in Christ Jesus.
Christ will transform believers’ bodies at His return.
Believers belong to a heavenly commonwealth.
Righteousness does not come through ritual but through faith in Christ.
Righteousness is received from God through faith in Christ.
Believers must stand firm in anticipation of Christ’s coming.
Christ’s saving initiative sustains ongoing pursuit.
Future bodily resurrection anchors present endurance.
Believers grow progressively toward Christlikeness.
True covenant identity is inward and Spirit-wrought.
Believers participate in Christ’s sufferings and resurrection life.
Doctrinal Weight
Paul contrasts righteousness of His own from the law with righteousness from God through faith in Christ.
Paul desires to gain Christ and be found in Him, making union with Christ central to righteousness, identity, and hope.
Christ is the surpassing treasure, source of righteousness, risen Lord, suffering pattern, heavenly Savior, and sovereign transformer of believers' bodies.
The Christian life involves pressing on, straining forward, mature mindset, imitation, and resistance to cross-denying patterns.
Paul presses on because Christ has taken hold of Him, showing grace-grounded perseverance rather than self-generated striving.
Paul longs for resurrection and concludes with the promise that Christ will transform believers' lowly bodies to be like His glorious body.
The church must identify false teaching, imitate faithful examples, and live according to its heavenly citizenship.
True covenant worship is by the Spirit of God, contrasting with confidence in fleshly markers.
Believers await the Savior from heaven, bodily transformation, and the full display of Christ's sovereign subjection of all things.
Knowing Christ includes participation in His sufferings and conformity to His death.
Paul warns against enemies of the cross whose end is destruction, showing the seriousness of cross-denying life patterns.
Reading Lenses
Theological exposition and fulfillment
- Philippians 3 clarifies the gospel by showing that sinners are not made righteous through fleshly privilege, religious résumé, law-keeping confidence, zeal, or moral accomplishment, but through being found in Christ with the righteousness from God that comes through faith. The gospel gives Christ Himself as surpassing treasure, brings believers into participation with His death and resurrection life, and anchors hope in the returning Savior who will transform the body and subject all things to Himself.
Key Greek Terms
Form in passage Present · Active · Imperative · 2nd Person · Plural What is this?
Sense rejoice, be glad
Definition To rejoice or express gladness.
References Philippians 3:1
Lexicon rejoice, be glad
Why it matters Paul frames warning and discernment within joy in the Lord, not anxious suspicion or harshness.
Sense watch, beware, look carefully
Definition To see, observe, or be on guard.
References Philippians 3:2
Lexicon watch, beware, look carefully
Why it matters Paul commands spiritual vigilance against false teaching and corrupt confidence.
Form in passage Accusative · Plural · Masculine What is this?
Sense dogs, scavengers; used polemically
Definition A sharp polemical term used here to describe dangerous false teachers.
References Philippians 3:2
Lexicon dogs, scavengers; used polemically
Why it matters Paul's severe language shows the seriousness of gospel-corrupting confidence in the flesh.
Form in passage Accusative · Plural · Masculine What is this?
Sense evil workers, harmful laborers
Definition Those whose work is morally and spiritually harmful.
References Philippians 3:2
Lexicon evil workers, harmful laborers
Why it matters Not all religious labor is gospel labor; some work actively damages confidence in Christ.
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Sense mutilation, cutting down
Definition A cutting or mutilation; Paul uses wordplay against a distorted view of circumcision.
References Philippians 3:2
Lexicon mutilation, cutting down
Why it matters Paul sharply distinguishes true covenant identity from physical cutting treated as saving confidence.
Form in passage Nominative · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Sense circumcision, covenant sign
Definition The covenant sign given to Abraham's descendants, here redefined around Spirit-worship and Christ-boasting.
References Philippians 3:3
Lexicon circumcision, covenant sign
Why it matters Paul declares believers to be the true circumcision, relocating covenant identity in Christ and the Spirit.
Form in passage Present · Active · Participle · Plural What is this?
Sense to worship, serve religiously
Definition To render worshipful service to God.
References Philippians 3:3
Lexicon to worship, serve religiously
Why it matters True covenant identity is marked by worship through the Spirit of God.
Sense Spirit
Definition The Holy Spirit, by whom true worship is rendered.
References Philippians 3:3
Lexicon Spirit
Why it matters Paul contrasts Spirit-enabled worship with fleshly confidence.
Form in passage Present · Middle · Participle · Plural What is this?
Sense boast, glory, exult
Definition To boast or take pride in something.
References Philippians 3:3
Lexicon boast, glory, exult
Why it matters Believers boast in Christ Jesus, not in fleshly privilege or achievement.
Individual words πεποιθότες / πεποίθησιν pepoithotes / pepoithēsin · πεποιθότες / πεποίθησιν pepoithotes / pepoithēsin
Form in passage Perfect · Active · Participle · Plural What is this?
Sense trust, confidence, reliance
Definition Settled trust or reliance.
References Philippians 3:3-4
Lexicon trust, confidence, reliance
Why it matters The central issue is where confidence rests: in the flesh or in Christ.
Sense flesh, human nature, human status or capability apart from God
Definition Human identity, ability, status, or lineage considered as a ground of confidence apart from Christ.
References Philippians 3:3-4
Lexicon flesh, human nature, human status or capability apart from God
Why it matters Paul rejects all fleshly grounds of boasting, including even religious and covenantal advantages.
Form in passage Nominative · Plural · Neuter What is this?
Sense gain, profit, advantage
Definition That which is considered profit or advantage.
References Philippians 3:7
Lexicon gain, profit, advantage
Why it matters Paul's former gains are reclassified as loss because of Christ.
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Sense loss, damage, disadvantage
Definition That which is counted as loss or forfeiture.
References Philippians 3:7-8
Lexicon loss, damage, disadvantage
Why it matters Christ transforms Paul's value system so that former advantages become liabilities if used as confidence apart from Him.
Form in passage Present · Active · Participle · Singular What is this?
Sense surpassing, excelling, being superior
Definition To surpass or be superior in worth or value.
References Philippians 3:8
Lexicon surpassing, excelling, being superior
Why it matters Christ's worth is not merely greater by degree but supreme over every competing claim to gain.
Individual words ψευδωνύμου γνώσεως pseudōnymou gnōseōs · ἐν ὥρᾳ ᾗ οὐ γινώσκει en hōra hē ou ginōskei
Form in passage Genitive · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Sense knowledge, to know
Definition Knowledge or relational knowing.
References Philippians 3:8, 3:10
Lexicon knowledge, to know
Why it matters Paul's aim is not merely to know about Christ but to know Christ Himself in righteousness, power, suffering, and hope.
Form in passage Accusative · Plural · Neuter What is this?
Sense refuse, rubbish, dung, garbage
Definition Worthless refuse, something discarded.
References Philippians 3:8
Lexicon refuse, rubbish, dung, garbage
Why it matters Paul uses deliberately strong language to show the utter worthlessness of former gains as grounds of confidence compared with Christ.
Form in passage Aorist · Active · Subjunctive · 1st Person · Singular What is this?
Sense to gain Christ
Definition To receive Christ as supreme treasure and saving possession.
References Philippians 3:8
Lexicon to gain Christ
Why it matters The Christian life is centered not in gaining status but gaining Christ Himself.
Form in passage Aorist · Passive · Subjunctive · 1st Person · Singular What is this?
Sense to be found, discovered, shown to be
Definition To be found or shown to be in a particular state.
References Philippians 3:9
Lexicon to be found, discovered, shown to be
Why it matters Paul desires to be found in Christ, making union with Christ the decisive location of righteousness and identity.
Sense righteousness, right standing, covenantal rightness
Definition Right standing and righteousness before God.
References Philippians 3:9
Lexicon righteousness, right standing, covenantal rightness
Why it matters Paul contrasts righteousness of His own from the law with righteousness from God through faith in Christ.
Sense law, Torah, principle
Definition Here, the law as a source from which Paul once sought righteousness.
References Philippians 3:9
Lexicon law, Torah, principle
Why it matters Paul rejects law-derived personal righteousness as the ground of standing before God.
Sense faith, trust, reliance
Definition Trusting reliance, here directed toward Christ and receiving righteousness from God.
References Philippians 3:9
Lexicon faith, trust, reliance
Why it matters Faith is the means by which righteousness from God is received, not achieved.
Sense power, might, capability
Definition Effective power or strength.
References Philippians 3:10
Lexicon power, might, capability
Why it matters Paul wants to know the power of Christ's resurrection, not merely the fact of resurrection.
Form in passage Genitive · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Sense resurrection, rising from the dead
Definition The raising of the dead to life.
References Philippians 3:10
Lexicon resurrection, rising from the dead
Why it matters Resurrection frames both present power and future bodily hope in the chapter.
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Sense fellowship, sharing, participation
Definition Shared participation in a reality or experience.
References Philippians 3:10
Lexicon fellowship, sharing, participation
Why it matters Knowing Christ includes participation in His sufferings, not merely receiving benefits from a distance.
Form in passage Genitive · Plural · Neuter What is this?
Sense sufferings, afflictions
Definition Experiences of suffering or affliction.
References Philippians 3:10
Lexicon sufferings, afflictions
Why it matters Paul's pursuit of Christ includes fellowship in sufferings, guarding against triumphalistic discipleship.
Sense to be conformed, shaped together with
Definition To be formed into the same pattern.
References Philippians 3:10
Lexicon to be conformed, shaped together with
Why it matters Paul seeks conformity to Christ's death as part of true participation in Christ.
Form in passage Aorist · Active · Subjunctive · 1st Person · Singular What is this?
Sense to arrive at, attain, reach
Definition To arrive at a goal or destination.
References Philippians 3:11
Lexicon to arrive at, attain, reach
Why it matters Paul's resurrection hope is future-directed, not a claim that final fullness has already arrived.
Form in passage Aorist · Active · Indicative · 1st Person · Singular What is this?
Sense to receive, take, obtain
Definition To receive or obtain something.
References Philippians 3:12
Lexicon to receive, take, obtain
Why it matters Paul denies having already obtained the fullness He pursues, opposing spiritual triumphalism.
Form in passage Perfect · Passive · Indicative · 1st Person · Singular What is this?
Sense to make perfect, complete, bring to goal
Definition To complete or bring to mature fullness.
References Philippians 3:12
Lexicon to make perfect, complete, bring to goal
Why it matters Paul rejects any claim of final perfection in the present life.
Form in passage Present · Active · Indicative · 1st Person · Singular What is this?
Sense to pursue, press after, chase
Definition To pursue intensely toward a goal.
References Philippians 3:12, 3:14
Lexicon to pursue, press after, chase
Why it matters Grace does not produce complacency; because Christ has taken hold, Paul presses on.
Form in passage Aorist · Active · Subjunctive · 1st Person · Singular What is this?
Sense to grasp, seize, take hold
Definition To lay hold of or seize.
References Philippians 3:12
Lexicon to grasp, seize, take hold
Why it matters Paul's pursuit is grounded in the prior reality that Christ Jesus has taken hold of Him.
Form in passage Present · Middle · Participle · Singular What is this?
Sense forget, neglect, leave behind
Definition To forget or disregard in a way that releases controlling focus.
References Philippians 3:13
Lexicon forget, neglect, leave behind
Why it matters Paul refuses to let past gains, losses, or achievements control His pursuit of Christ.
Form in passage Present · Middle · Participle · Singular What is this?
Sense to stretch forward, strain toward
Definition To reach or stretch intensely toward what lies ahead.
References Philippians 3:13
Lexicon to stretch forward, strain toward
Why it matters The Christian life requires forward-oriented exertion toward Christ's goal.
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Masculine What is this?
Sense goal, mark, target
Definition A target or goal toward which one moves.
References Philippians 3:14
Lexicon goal, mark, target
Why it matters Paul's life is directed toward the goal of God's call in Christ, not scattered by lesser aims.
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Neuter What is this?
Sense prize, award
Definition A prize awarded in a contest.
References Philippians 3:14
Lexicon prize, award
Why it matters The athletic imagery presents Christian perseverance as goal-directed and future-oriented.
Sense upward call, heavenly call
Definition God's heavenward summons in Christ Jesus.
References Philippians 3:14
Lexicon upward call, heavenly call
Why it matters The believer's pursuit is drawn by God's call in Christ toward final fullness.
Form in passage Nominative · Plural · Masculine What is this?
Sense mature, complete, fully grown
Definition Mature or full-grown in spiritual understanding.
References Philippians 3:15
Lexicon mature, complete, fully grown
Why it matters Maturity is marked by pressing forward, not claiming final arrival.
Form in passage Present · Active · Subjunctive · 1st Person · Plural What is this?
Sense to think, set the mind, adopt a mindset
Definition To have a settled way of thinking or disposition.
References Philippians 3:15
Lexicon to think, set the mind, adopt a mindset
Why it matters Paul calls mature believers to share the same forward-pressing mindset.
Form in passage Nominative · Plural · Masculine What is this?
Sense fellow imitators
Definition Those who imitate together or join in following an example.
References Philippians 3:17
Lexicon fellow imitators
Why it matters Paul treats embodied imitation as a necessary discipleship practice.
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Masculine What is this?
Sense pattern, example, model
Definition A pattern or model to be followed.
References Philippians 3:17
Lexicon pattern, example, model
Why it matters The church must observe patterns of life that correspond to apostolic gospel teaching.
Form in passage Accusative · Plural · Masculine What is this?
Sense enemies, hostile ones
Definition Those opposed or hostile.
References Philippians 3:18
Lexicon enemies, hostile ones
Why it matters Paul warns against those whose lives function in opposition to the cross of Christ.
Form in passage Genitive · Singular · Masculine What is this?
Sense cross, crucifixion instrument
Definition The instrument of Christ's death and the center of cross-shaped discipleship.
References Philippians 3:18
Lexicon cross, crucifixion instrument
Why it matters The cross is not only a doctrine to affirm but a pattern that exposes false living.
Form in passage Nominative · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Sense destruction, ruin, perdition
Definition Final ruin or destruction.
References Philippians 3:19
Lexicon destruction, ruin, perdition
Why it matters Paul's warning is eternally serious; cross-denying life leads to destruction.
Form in passage Nominative · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Sense stomach, belly, appetite
Definition The belly or appetite; figuratively, bodily appetite as ruling desire.
References Philippians 3:19
Lexicon stomach, belly, appetite
Why it matters Paul warns against appetite becoming godlike in its control over life.
Sense glory, honor, reputation
Definition Honor, glory, or reputation.
References Philippians 3:19
Lexicon glory, honor, reputation
Why it matters Enemies of the cross glory in shame, revealing a morally inverted value system.
Form in passage Dative · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Sense shame, disgrace
Definition Disgrace or shameful condition.
References Philippians 3:19
Lexicon shame, disgrace
Why it matters Paul identifies the tragic inversion of boasting in what should produce shame.
Form in passage Accusative · Plural · Neuter What is this?
Sense earthly, belonging to earth
Definition That which is earthbound or earthly in orientation.
References Philippians 3:19
Lexicon earthly, belonging to earth
Why it matters Earthly-mindedness contrasts with heavenly citizenship and hope in Christ's return.
Form in passage Nominative · Singular · Neuter What is this?
Sense citizenship, commonwealth, civic identity
Definition A commonwealth or citizenship identity.
References Philippians 3:20
Lexicon citizenship, commonwealth, civic identity
Why it matters In a Roman colony, Paul locates believers' ultimate civic identity in heaven.
Sense heaven
Definition The heavenly realm, the place from which believers await the Savior.
References Philippians 3:20
Lexicon heaven
Why it matters Believers' identity and hope are governed by heaven rather than earthbound status.
Form in passage Present · Middle · Indicative · 1st Person · Plural What is this?
Sense to eagerly await, expect patiently
Definition To await with eager expectation.
References Philippians 3:20
Lexicon to eagerly await, expect patiently
Why it matters Christian hope is active expectation of the Savior's return.
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Masculine What is this?
Sense Savior, deliverer
Definition One who saves or delivers.
References Philippians 3:20
Lexicon Savior, deliverer
Why it matters Jesus Christ is the awaited Savior whose return brings bodily transformation.
Sense Lord, master, sovereign
Definition One with authority and rule.
References Philippians 3:20
Lexicon Lord, master, sovereign
Why it matters The Savior believers await is the Lord Jesus Christ, whose authority extends over all things.
Form in passage Future · Active · Indicative · 3rd Person · Singular What is this?
Sense to transform, change the form
Definition To change or transform outward form or condition.
References Philippians 3:21
Lexicon to transform, change the form
Why it matters Christ's return includes the transformation of believers' lowly bodies.
Form in passage Genitive · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Sense body of humiliation, lowly body
Definition The present body marked by weakness, mortality, and humiliation.
References Philippians 3:21
Lexicon body of humiliation, lowly body
Why it matters Paul's hope includes the present body in its weakness, promising transformation rather than abandonment.
Sense body of glory, glorious body
Definition Christ's resurrection body marked by glory.
References Philippians 3:21
Lexicon body of glory, glorious body
Why it matters Believers' future bodily transformation is conformity to Christ's own glorious body.
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Sense working, effective power
Definition Effective working power or operative energy.
References Philippians 3:21
Lexicon working, effective power
Why it matters Bodily transformation rests on Christ's effective sovereign power.
Form in passage Aorist · Active · Infinitive What is this?
Sense to subject, subordinate, bring under control
Definition To bring under ordered authority or control.
References Philippians 3:21
Lexicon to subject, subordinate, bring under control
Why it matters Christ's power to transform believers is grounded in His sovereign authority over all things.
Lexicon data: MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML (CC0) · Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (CC BY 4.0) · Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon (CC BY 4.0) · STEPBible Data (CC BY 4.0) · Full details
Discourse Connectives (23)
grounds / explanation 3inference / conclusion 1strong contrast / correction 3purpose clause 1conditional clause 4content marker or causal 1comparative / scriptural grounding 1concessive adversative 1continuation or mild contrast 5contrast setup (μέν...δέ) 2additive / emphatic 1
| v.1 | μὲνindeedcontrast setup (μέν...δέ)The μέν...δέ pair is a rhetorical hinge. Both sides matter equally.δὲhowevercontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast. |
| v.3 | γάρforgrounds / explanationAsk: what claim is this 'for' grounding? That claim is the main point. |
| v.4 | εἴIfconditional clauseAsk whether Paul treats the 'if' as assumed true (1st class) or merely hypothetical. |
| v.7 | ἀλλ᾽Butstrong contrast / correctionAsk: what is being set aside? What is being asserted instead? |
| v.8 | ἀλλὰButstrong contrast / correctionAsk: what is being set aside? What is being asserted instead?ἵναthatpurpose clauseἵνα clauses often contain the theological payoff: 'so that God might...' |
| v.9 | καὶandadditive / emphaticClause-initial καί in Paul often links equal-weight clauses that should be read together.ἀλλὰbutstrong contrast / correctionAsk: what is being set aside? What is being asserted instead? |
| v.11 | εἴifconditional clauseAsk whether Paul treats the 'if' as assumed true (1st class) or merely hypothetical. |
| v.12 | ὅτιforcontent marker or causalIf ὅτι follows a verb of speaking/knowing/believing, it introduces content. If it follows a statement, it introduces a reason.δὲhowevercontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast.εἰifconditional clauseAsk whether Paul treats the 'if' as assumed true (1st class) or merely hypothetical. |
| v.13 | δέ,however:continuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast.μὲνindeedcontrast setup (μέν...δέ)The μέν...δέ pair is a rhetorical hinge. Both sides matter equally.δὲhowevercontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast. |
| v.15 | οὖνthereforeinference / conclusionAsk: what has Paul argued up to this point? 'Therefore' is the payoff.εἴifconditional clauseAsk whether Paul treats the 'if' as assumed true (1st class) or merely hypothetical. |
| v.16 | πλὴνNeverthelessconcessive adversativeπλήν often signals a pastoral correction: 'that said, here is what matters most.' |
| v.17 | καθὼςeven ascomparative / scriptural groundingWhen Paul writes καθώς γέγραπται ('just as it is written'), he is providing scriptural warrant for everything preceding it. |
| v.18 | γὰρforgrounds / explanationAsk: what claim is this 'for' grounding? That claim is the main point.δὲindeedcontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast. |
| v.20 | γὰρforgrounds / explanationAsk: what claim is this 'for' grounding? That claim is the main point. |
Discourse data: STEPBible TAGNT (CC BY 4.0)
Verb Aspect (51 main verbs)
completed 4ongoing 12prospective 2resultant 2imperative 5subjunctive 5background 1infinitive 7participle 13
| v.1 | χαίρετεchaírōrejoicepresent active imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortationγράφεινgráphōwritepresent active infinitiveinfinitiveInfinitive — verbal noun or complementary verb |
| v.2 | Βλέπετεbeware ofpresent active imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortationβλέπετεbeware ofpresent active imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortationβλέπετεbeware ofpresent active imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortation |
| v.3 | λατρεύοντεςlatreúōworshippresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionκαυχώμενοιkaucháomaiboastpresent middle participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionπεποιθότεςpeíthōput ~ confidenceperfect active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting action |
| v.4 | ἔχωνéchōhavepresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionδοκεῖdokéōthinkspresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthπεποιθέναιpeíthōput confidenceperfect active infinitiveinfinitiveInfinitive — verbal noun or complementary verb |
| v.6 | διώκωνdiṓkōpersecutingpresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting action |
| v.7 | ἥγημαιhēgéomaicountedperfect middle indicativeresultantPerfect indicative — completed action with present result |
| v.8 | ἡγοῦμαιhēgéomaicountpresent middle indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthὑπερέχονhyperéchōsurpassing valuepresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionἐζημιώθηνzēmióōsuffered ~ lossaorist passive indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionἡγοῦμαιhēgéomaicountpresent middle indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthκερδήσωkerdaínōgainaorist active subjunctivesubjunctiveSubjunctive mood — conditional, purpose, or contingent |
| v.9 | εὑρεθῶheurískōfoundaorist passive subjunctivesubjunctiveSubjunctive mood — conditional, purpose, or contingentἔχωνéchōhavingpresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting action |
| v.10 | γνῶναιginṓskōknowaorist active infinitiveinfinitiveInfinitive — verbal noun or complementary verbσυμμορφιζόμενοςsymmorphóōconformedpresent passive participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting action |
| v.11 | καταντήσωkatantáōattainaorist active subjunctivesubjunctiveSubjunctive mood — conditional, purpose, or contingent |
| v.12 | ἔλαβονlambánōobtainedaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionτετελείωμαιteleióōmade perfectperfect passive indicativeresultantPerfect indicative — completed action with present resultδιώκωdiṓkōpress onpresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthκαταλάβωkatalambánōtake hold ofaorist active subjunctivesubjunctiveSubjunctive mood — conditional, purpose, or contingentκατελήμφθηνkatalambánōlaid hold ofaorist passive indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed action |
| v.13 | λογίζομαιlogízomaiconsiderpresent middle indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthκατειληφέναιkatalambánōtaken hold ofperfect active infinitiveinfinitiveInfinitive — verbal noun or complementary verbἐπιλανθανόμενοςepilanthánomaiforgettingpresent middle participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionἐπεκτεινόμενοςepekteínomaireaching forwardpresent middle participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting action |
| v.14 | διώκωdiṓkōpress onpresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truth |
| v.15 | φρονῶμενphronéōthinkpresent active subjunctivesubjunctiveSubjunctive mood — conditional, purpose, or contingentφρονεῖτεphronéōthinkpresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthἀποκαλύψειrevealfuture active indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised action |
| v.16 | ἐφθάσαμενphthánōattainedaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionστοιχεῖνstoichéōhold onpresent active infinitiveinfinitiveInfinitive — verbal noun or complementary verb |
| v.17 | σκοπεῖτεskopéōobservepresent active imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortationπεριπατοῦνταςperipatéōwalkpresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionἔχετεéchōhavepresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truth |
| v.18 | περιπατοῦσινperipatéōlivepresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthἔλεγονlégōtoldimperfect active indicativebackgroundImperfect indicative — continuous or repeated past actionκλαίωνklaíōwith tearspresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionλέγωlégōtellpresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truth |
| v.19 | φρονοῦντεςphronéōminds ~ setonpresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting action |
| v.20 | ὑπάρχειhypárchōispresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthἀπεκδεχόμεθαeagerly awaitpresent middle indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truth |
| v.21 | μετασχηματίσειmetaschēmatízōtransformfuture active indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised actionδύνασθαιdýnamaienablespresent middle infinitiveinfinitiveInfinitive — verbal noun or complementary verbὑποτάξαιhypotássōsubjectaorist active infinitiveinfinitiveInfinitive — verbal noun or complementary verb |
Verb forms indicate aspect — not interpretive weight. Consult context before drawing conclusions about emphasis.
Clause data: MACULA Greek (Clear Bible, CC BY 4.0) · SBLGNT (Logos/SBL, CC BY 4.0)
Word Pictures (Robertson)
A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) — public domain
Formation Focus
Christ must be seen as surpassingly worthy, so that every fleshly confidence collapses and the believer lives from righteousness in Him toward resurrection transformation.
Believers must be freed from both religious self-confidence and spiritual complacency, learning to rest in Christ's righteousness while pressing on to know Him more deeply.
Christ-centered confidence, humble renunciation, persevering pursuit, mature discernment, cross-shaped imitation, heavenly-minded endurance, and resurrection hope.
Practice Response
- Write down the things You are most tempted to treat as spiritual gain apart from Christ.
- Confess any area where religious performance or ministry usefulness has become a ground of self-confidence.
- Meditate on Philippians 3:8-9 as a guard against self-righteousness.
- Name one concrete way to pursue deeper knowledge of Christ this week through Scripture, prayer, obedience, or costly faithfulness.
- Identify what is behind You that must no longer define You: achievement, failure, guilt, shame, status, or loss.
- Choose one mature believer whose cross-shaped example You can observe and imitate.
- Examine whether bodily appetites, comfort, reputation, or earthly belonging are shaping Your decisions more than heavenly citizenship.
- Encourage someone suffering bodily weakness with the promise of Christ's transforming return.
- Warn against cross-denying patterns with grief, prayer, and gospel clarity rather than harsh superiority.
Warnings and Misreadings
- Philippians 3 contains severe warnings against false teachers, fleshly confidence, self-righteousness, spiritual complacency, and cross-denying earthly-mindedness. Paul uses sharp language against those who corrupt covenant confidence and weeping language over those whose lives make them enemies of the cross of Christ.
- Paul despises His Jewish heritage as evil in itself. - Paul does not deny the historical reality of His covenant privileges. He rejects treating them as grounds of righteousness, status, or confidence before God in place of Christ.
- Counting all things loss means earthly vocations, family, history, and service have no value at all. - Paul speaks comparatively and theologically. Anything becomes loss when treated as gain apart from or above Christ. Christ reorders all value.
- Righteousness through faith means obedience and pursuit no longer matter. - Immediately after teaching righteousness through faith, Paul describes pressing on, striving, maturity, imitation, and heavenly hope.
- Pressing on means Paul is uncertain whether Christ has accepted Him. - Paul presses on because Christ Jesus has already taken hold of Him. His pursuit flows from grace, not insecurity.
- Philippians 3:12-14 teaches perfectionism. - Paul explicitly says He has not already obtained all this or arrived at His goal. The passage opposes both perfectionism and complacency.
- Enemies of the cross are only doctrinal outsiders. - Paul describes a way of life: appetite as god, glory in shame, earthly-mindedness, and destruction. Doctrine and life are both in view.
- Heavenly citizenship means the body or creation does not matter. - Paul's hope is bodily transformation, not escape from embodiment. The Savior will transform the lowly body to be like His glorious body.
- Imitation of leaders is dangerous and should be avoided. - Paul commands imitation of faithful examples who follow the apostolic pattern. The issue is not imitation itself but whether the example is cross-shaped and Christ-centered.
- The warning against confidence in the flesh applies only to ancient circumcision debates. - The immediate issue includes covenant-marker distortion, but the principle reaches every form of human confidence that competes with boasting in Christ.
Discipleship Questions
- Where am I tempted to place confidence in religious heritage, ministry record, morality, knowledge, sacrifice, or visible achievement?
- What do I still count as gain in a way that competes with the surpassing worth of Christ?
- Can I distinguish gratitude for God's gifts from confidence in the flesh?
- Do I rest in righteousness from God through faith, or do I quietly try to build a righteousness of my own?
- Do I want Christ Himself, or mainly the benefits, respectability, and usefulness associated with Christianity?
- Am I willing to know Christ in both resurrection power and fellowship in His sufferings?
- Where have I confused spiritual maturity with arrival rather than continued pursuit?
- What lies behind me that I must stop treating as the controlling story of my life?
- What is ahead of me in Christ that I must strain toward with renewed obedience?
- Who are faithful examples I should imitate because their lives embody the cross-shaped pattern of the gospel?
- Where do appetite, shameful glory, or earthly-mindedness threaten my loyalty to the cross?
- Does heavenly citizenship shape my ambitions, fears, speech, use of the body, and hope for the future?
- How does the promise of bodily transformation strengthen endurance in sickness, weakness, aging, or suffering?
Pastoral Applications
- Expose respectable fleshly confidence.
- Preach Christ as surpassingly worthy.
- Protect justification from moralism.
- Protect grace from passivity.
- Counsel believers trapped by the past.
- Teach suffering as participation in Christ.
- Develop visible examples of maturity.
- Warn with tears, not arrogance.
- Strengthen embodied resurrection hope.
- Reframe identity around heavenly citizenship.
Pastoral Trajectories
Paul moves the believer away from every basis of self-boasting into exclusive boasting in Christ Jesus.
The chapter dismantles spiritual résumé-building and replaces it with the treasure of knowing Christ.
Paul leads the reader away from law-based personal righteousness into righteousness from God through faith.
Maturity is not claiming completion but pressing on because Christ has taken hold.
Christian growth happens within a community where faithful patterns can be observed and followed.
The chapter contrasts the destruction-bound life ruled by appetite and shame with the heavenward life awaiting the Savior.
Paul lifts believers from present bodily lowliness to the promised transformation of their bodies by Christ's sovereign power.
Motifs in This Chapter
Follow faith, believing response, trust, and persevering allegiance across Scripture.
Follow resurrection hope, vindication, and life-over-death patterns across the canon.
Study holiness as divine character, covenant identity, and sanctified life across Scripture.
Study kingdom reign, divine rule, and gospel kingdom proclamation across Scripture.
Trace servant identity, obedient mission, and suffering service across Scripture.
Trace the Spirit's presence, empowerment, renewal, and mission-bearing work across Scripture.
The Biblical World
Chapter At A Glance
From rejoicing and warning, to renouncing fleshly confidence, to gaining Christ and His righteousness, to pressing toward resurrection fullness, to imitating mature examples, to awaiting the Savior from heaven.
Philippians 3 shows that covenant identity has reached its fulfillment in Christ. Circumcision, ancestral privilege, Torah zeal, and external righteousness cannot be treated as final grounds of confidence. The true people of God worship by the Spirit, boast in Christ Jesus, receive righteousness from God through faith, and await resurrection transformation from the heavenly Savior. The chapter therefore relocates covenant confidence from fleshly markers to union with Christ and Spirit-enabled worship.
Philippians 3 clarifies the gospel by showing that sinners are not made righteous through fleshly privilege, religious résumé, law-keeping confidence, zeal, or moral accomplishment, but through being found in Christ with the righteousness from God that comes through faith. The gospel gives Christ Himself as surpassing treasure, brings believers into participation with His death and resurrection life, and anchors hope in the returning Savior who will transform the body and subject all things to Himself.
Christ-centered confidence, humble renunciation, persevering pursuit, mature discernment, cross-shaped imitation, heavenly-minded endurance, and resurrection hope.
Focus Points
- Joy in the Lord as spiritual safeguard
- False confidence and the danger of fleshly boasting
- True covenant identity through Spirit-enabled worship and Christ-boasting
- The surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus
- Righteousness from God through faith in Christ
- Union with Christ expressed as being found in Him
- Participation in Christ's resurrection power and sufferings
- Conformity to Christ's death
- Perseverance in the already-not-yet Christian life
- Mature pursuit rather than spiritual arrivalism
- Apostolic imitation and embodied discipleship
- Enemies of the cross and earthbound living
- Heavenly citizenship
- Eager expectation of the Savior
- Bodily resurrection and transformation
- Christ's sovereign power to subject all things to Himself
- No Confidence in the Flesh
- Gaining Christ
- Righteousness Through Faith
- Knowing Christ
- Pressing On
- Imitation
- Enemies of the Cross
- Resurrection Hope
- Justification by Faith
- Union with Christ
- Christology
- Sanctification
- Perseverance
- Resurrection
- Ecclesiology
- Pneumatology
- Eschatology
- Christian Suffering
- Warning and Apostasy
Cross References
God said to Abraham, “As for You, You will keep my covenant, You and Your offspring after You throughout their generations. This is my covenant, which You shall keep, between me and You and Your offspring after You. Every male among You shall be circumcised. You shall be circumcised in the flesh of Your foreskin. It will be a token of the covenant between...
Circumcision covenant background
Yahweh Your God will circumcise Your heart, and the heart of Your offspring, to love Yahweh Your God with all Your heart and with all Your soul, that You may live.
Heart circumcision
Yahweh says, “Don’t let the wise man glory in His wisdom. Don’t let the mighty man glory in His might. Don’t let the rich man glory in His riches. But let Him who glories glory in this, that He has understanding, and knows me, that I am Yahweh who exercises loving kindness, justice, and righteousness in the earth, for I delight in these things,” says Yahweh.
Boasting corrected
They will say of me, ‘There is righteousness and strength only in Yahweh.’ ” Even to Him will men come. All those who raged against Him will be disappointed. All the offspring of Israel will be justified in Yahweh, and will rejoice!
Righteousness and boasting in the Lord
But now apart from the law, a righteousness of God has been revealed, being testified by the law and the prophets; even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ to all and on all those who believe. For there is no distinction, for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;
Righteousness from God
“We, being Jews by nature, and not Gentile sinners, yet knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the law, because no flesh will be justified by the works of the law. But if while we sought to be...
Justification and union with Christ
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? May it never be! We who died to sin, how could we live in it any longer? Or don’t You know that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?
Union with Christ's death and resurrection
But we have this treasure in clay vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves. We are pressed on every side, yet not crushed; perplexed, yet not to despair; pursued, yet not forsaken; struck down, yet not destroyed;
Suffering and resurrection hope
Don’t You know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run like that, that You may win. Every man who strives in the games exercises self-control in all things. Now they do it to receive a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible. I therefore run like that, not aimlessly. I fight like that, not beating the air,
Athletic pursuit imagery
Therefore let’s also, seeing we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down...
Enduring the race
So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown perishable; it is raised imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body and there is also a spiritual body.
Bodily resurrection transformation
If then You were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God. Set Your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth. For You died, and Your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Heavenward identity
Beloved, now we are children of God. It is not yet revealed what we will be; but we know that when He is revealed, we will be like Him; for we will see Him just as He is.
Future conformity to Christ
Which He worked in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and made Him to sit at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule, authority, power, dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in that which is to come. He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things for the...
Christ over all things
Passages
Chapter opening: Philippians 3:1-3
Finally (το λοιπον). Accusative of general reference, literally, "as for the rest." So again in 4:8 . It (or just λοιπον) is a common phrase towards the close of Paul's Epistles ( 2Th 3:1 ; 2Co 13:11 ). In Eph 6:10 we have του λοιπου (genitive case). But Paul uses the idiom elsewhere also as in 1Co 7:29 ; 1Th 4:1 before the close of the letter is in sight. It is wholly needless to understand Paul as about to finish and then suddenly changing his mind like some preachers who announce the end a half dozen times.
To write the same things (τα αυτα γραφειν). Present active articular infinitive, "the going on writing the same things." What things? He has just used χαιρετε (go on rejoicing) again and he will repeat it in 4:4 . But in verse 2 he uses βλεπετε three times. At any rate Paul, as a true teacher, is not afraid of repetition. Irksome (οκνηρον). Old adjective from οκνεω, to delay, to hesitate.
It is not tiresome to me to repeat what is "safe" (ασφαλες) for you. Old adjective from α privative and σφαλλω, to totter, to reel. See Ac 21:34 .
Beware (βλεπετε). Three times for urgency and with different epithet for the Judaizers each time. The dogs (τους κυνας). The Jews so termed the Gentiles which Jesus uses in a playful mood (κυναριοις, little dogs) to the Syro-Phoenician woman ( Mt 15:26 ). Paul here turns the phrase on the Judaizers themselves. The evil workers (τους κακους εργατας). He had already called the Judaizers "deceitful workers" (εργατα δολιο) in 2Co 11:13 .
The concision (την κατατομην). Late word for incision, mutilation (in contrast with περιτομη, circumcision). In Symmachus and an inscription. The verb κατατεμνω is used in the LXX only of mutilations ( Le 21:5 ; 1Ki 18:28 ).
For we (ημεις γαρ). We believers in Christ, the children of Abraham by faith, whether Jew or Gentile, the spiritual circumcision in contrast to the merely physical ( Ro 2:25-29 ; Col 2:11 ; Eph 2:11 ). See Ga 5:12 for αποτεμνειν (to cut off) in sense of mutilation also. By the Spirit of God (πνευματ θεου). Instrumental case, though the dative case as the object of λατρευω makes good sense also (worshipping the Spirit of God) or even the locative (worshipping in the Spirit of God).
No (ουκ). Actual condition rather than μη with the participle. In the flesh (εν σαρκ). Technical term in Paul's controversy with the Judaizers ( 2Co 11:18 ; Gal 6:13 f. ). External privileges beyond mere flesh.
Might have (εχων). Rather, "even though myself having." Confidence (πεποιθησιν). Late word, condemned by the Atticists, from πεποιθα (just used). See 2Co 1:15 ; 3:4 .
Thinketh to have confidence (δοκε πεποιθενα). Second perfect active infinitive. Old idiom, "seems to himself to have confidence." Later idiom like Mt 3:9 "think not to say" and 1Co 11:16 , "thinks that he has ground of confidence in himself." I yet more (εγω μαλλον). "I have more ground for boasting than he" and Paul proceeds to prove it in the rest of verses 5 , 6 .
Circumcised the eighth day (περιτομη οκταημερος). "In circumcision (locative case) an eighth day man." Use of the ordinal with persons like τεταρταιος ( Joh 11:39 ). Ishmaelites were circumcised in the thirteenth year, proselytes from Gentiles in mature age, Jews on the eighth day ( Lu 2:21 ). Of the stock of Israel (εκ γενους Ισραηλ). Of the original stock, not a proselyte.
Benjamin (Βενιαμιν). Son of the right hand (that is, left-handed), son of Rachel. The first King, Saul (Paul's own Hebrew name) was from this little tribe. The battle cry of Israel was "After thee, O Benjamin" ( Jud 5:14 ). A Hebrew of the Hebrews (Εβραιος εξ Εβραιων). Of Hebrew parents who retained the characteristic qualities in language and custom as distinct from the Hellenistic Jews ( Ac 6:1 ).
Paul was from Tarsus and knew Greek as well as Aramaic ( Ac 21:40 ; 22:2 ) and Hebrew, but he had not become Hellenized. A Pharisee (Φαρισαιος). In distinction from the Sadducees ( Ga 1:14 ) and he continued a Pharisee in many essential matters like the doctrine of the resurrection ( Ac 23:6 ). Cf. 2Co 11:22 .
As touching zeal (κατα ζηλος). So the old MSS. treating ζηλος as neuter, not masculine. He was a zealot against Christianity, "persecuting the church" (διωκων την εκκλησιαν). He was the ringleader in the persecution from the death of Stephen till his own conversion ( Ac 8:1-9:9 ). Found blameless (γενομενος αμεμπτος). "Having become blameless" ( Ga 1:14 ). He knew and practised all the rules of the rabbis. A marvellous record, scoring a hundred in Judaism.
Were gain to me (εν μο κερδη). "Were gains (plural, see on 1:21 ) to me (ethical dative)." Paul had natural pride in his Jewish attainments. He was the star of hope for Gamaliel and the Sanhedrin. Have I counted (ηγημα). Perfect middle indicative, state of completion and still true. Loss (ζημιαν). Old word for damage, loss. In N.T. only in Phil. and Ac 27:10 , 21 . Debit side of the ledger, not credit.
Yea, verily, and (αλλα μεν ουν γε κα). Five particles before Paul proceeds (yea, indeed, therefore, at least, even), showing the force and passion of his conviction. He repeats his affirmation with the present middle indicative (ηγουμα), "I still count all things loss for the excellency of the knowledge (το υπερεχον, the surpassingness, neuter articular participle of υπερεχω, Php 2:3 ) of Christ Jesus my Lord."
Dung (σκυβαλα). Late word of uncertain etymology, either connected with σκωρ (dung) or from ες κυνας βαλλω, to fling to the dogs and so refuse of any kind. It occurs in the papyri. Here only in the N. T. That I may gain Christ (ινα Χριστον κερδησω). First aorist active subjunctive of κερδαω, Ionic form for κερδαινω with ινα in purpose clause. Paul was never satisfied with his knowledge of Christ and always craved more fellowship with him.
Be found in him (ευρεθω εν αυτω). First aorist (effective) passive subjunctive with ινα of ευρισκω. At death ( 2Co 5:3 ) or when Christ comes. Cf. 2:8 ; Ga 2:17 . Through faith in Christ (δια πιστεως Χριστου). The objective genitive Χριστου, not subjective, as in Ga 2:16 , 20 ; Ro 3:22 . Explained further by επ τη πιστε (on the basis of faith) as in Ac 3:16 .
That I may know him (του γνωνα αυτον). Genitive of the articular second aorist (ingressive) active infinitive (purpose) of γινωσκω, to have personal acquaintance or experience with. This is Paul's major passion, to get more knowledge of Christ by experience. The power of his resurrection (την δυναμιν της αναστασεως αυτου). Power (Lightfoot) in the sense of assurance to believers in immortality ( 1Co 15:14 f.
; Ro 8:11 ), in the triumph over sin ( Ro 4:24 f. ), in the dignity of the body ( 1Co 6:13 ff. ; Php 3:21 ), in stimulating the moral and spiritual life ( Ga 2:20 ; Ro 6:4 f. ; Col 2:12 ; Eph 2:5 ). See Westcott's The Gospel of the Resurrection , ii, 31. The fellowship of his sufferings (την κοινωνιαν των παθηματων αυτου). Partnership in (objective genitive) his sufferings, an honour prized by Paul ( Co 1:24 ).
Becoming conformed to his death (συμμορφιζομενος τω θανατω αυτου). Present passive participle of συμμορφιζω, late verb from συμμορφος, found only here and ecclesiastical writers quoting it. The Latin Vulgate uses configuro . See Ro 6:4 for συμφυτο in like sense and 2Co 4:10 . "The agony of Gethsemane, not less than the agony of Calvary, will be reproduced however faintly in the faithful servant of Christ" (Lightfoot).
"In this passage we have the deepest secrets of the Apostle's Christian experience unveiled" (Kennedy).
If by any means I may attain (ε πως καταντησω). Not an expression of doubt, but of humility (Vincent), a modest hope (Lightfoot). For ε πως, see Ro 1:10 ; 11:14 where παραζηλωσω can be either future indicative or aorist subjunctive like καταντησω here (see subjunctive καταλαβω in verse 12 ), late compound verb κατανταω. Resurrection (εξαναστασιν). Late word, not in LXX, but in Polybius and one papyrus example.
Apparently Paul is thinking here only of the resurrection of believers out from the dead and so double εξ (τεν εξαναστασιν την εκ νεκρων). Paul is not denying a general resurrection by this language, but emphasizing that of believers.
Not that (ουχ οτ). To guard against a misunderstanding as in Joh 6:26 ; 12:6 ; 2Co 1:24 ; Php 4:11 , 17 . I have already obtained (ηδη ελαβον). Rather, "I did already obtain," constative second aorist active indicative of λαμβανω, summing up all his previous experiences as a single event. Or am already made perfect (η ηδη τετελειωμα). Perfect passive indicative (state of completion) of τελειοω, old verb from τελειος and that from τελος (end).
Paul pointedly denies that he has reached a spiritual impasse of non- development. Certainly he knew nothing of so-called sudden absolute perfection by any single experience. Paul has made great progress in Christlikeness, but the goal is still before him, not behind him. But I press on (διωκω δε). He is not discouraged, but encouraged. He keeps up the chase (real idea in διωκω, as in 1Co 14:1 ; Ro 9:30 ; 1Ti 6:11 ).
If so be that (ε κα). "I follow after." The condition (third class, ει--καταλαβω, second aorist active subjunctive of καταλαμβανω) is really a sort of purpose clause or aim. There are plenty of examples in the Koine of the use of ε and the subjunctive as here (Robertson, Grammar , p. 1017), "if I also may lay hold of that for which (εφ' ω, purpose expressed by επ) I was laid hold of (κατελημφθην, first aorist passive of the same verb καταλαμβανω) by Christ Jesus."
His conversion was the beginning, not the end of the chase.
Not yet (ουπω). But some MSS. read ου (not). To have apprehended (κατειληφενα). Perfect active infinitive of same verb καταλαμβανω (perfective use of κατα, to grasp completely). Surely denial enough. But one thing (εν δε). No verb in the Greek. We can supply ποιω (I do) or διωκω (I keep on in the chase), but no verb is really needed. "When all is said, the greatest art is to limit and isolate oneself" (Goethe), concentration.
Forgetting the things which are behind (τα μεν οπισω επιλανθανομενος). Common verb, usually with the genitive, but the accusative in the Koine is greatly revived with verbs. Paul can mean either his old pre-Christian life, his previous progress as a Christian, or both (all of it). Stretching forward (επεκτεινομενος). Present direct middle participle of the old double compound επεκτεινω (stretching myself out towards).
Metaphor of a runner leaning forward as he runs.
Toward the goal (κατα σκοπον). "Down upon the goal," who is Jesus himself to whom we must continually look as we run ( Heb 12:2 ). The word means a watchman, then the goal or mark. Only here in N.T. Unto the prize (εις το βραβειον). Late word (Menander and inscriptions) from βραβευς (umpire who awards the prize). In N.T. only here and 1Co 9:24 . Of the high calling (της ανω κλησεως). Literally, "of the upward calling." The goal continually moves forward as we press on, but yet never out of sight.
As many as be perfect (οσο τελειο). Here the term τελειο means relative perfection, not the absolute perfection so pointedly denied in verse 12 . Paul here includes himself in the group of spiritual adults (see He 5:13 ). Let us be thus minded (τουτο φρονωμεν). Present active volitive subjunctive of φρονεω. "Let us keep on thinking this," viz. that we have not yet attained absolute perfection.
If ye are otherwise minded (ε τ ετερως φρονειτε). Condition of first class, assumed as true. That is, if ye think that ye are absolutely perfect. Shall God reveal unto you (ο θεος υμιν αποκαλυψε). He turns such cases over to God. What else can he do with them? Whereunto we have already come (εις ο εφθασαμεν). First aorist active indicative of φθανω, originally to come before as in 1Th 4:15 , but usually in the Koine simply to arrive, attain to, as here.
By that same rule let us walk (τω αυτω στοιχειν) Aleph A B do not have κανον (rule). Besides στοιχειν is the absolute present active infinitive which sometimes occurs instead of the principal verb as in Ro 12:15 . Paul means simply this that, having come thus far, the thing to do is to go "in the same path" (τω αυτω) in which we have been travelling so far. A needed lesson for Christians weary with the monotony of routine in religious life and work.
Imitators together of me (συνμιμητα μου). Found only here so far, though Plato uses συμμιμεισθα. "Vie with each other in imitating me" (Lightfoot). Mark (σκοπειτε). Old verb from σκοπος (verse 14 ). "Keep your eyes on me as goal." Mark and follow, not avoid as in Ro 16:17 . An ensample (τυπον). Originally the impression left by a stroke ( Joh 20:25 ), then a pattern (mould) as here (cf. 1Th 1:7 ; 1Co 10:6 , 11 ; Ro 5:14 ; 6:17 ).
I told you often (πολλακις ελεγον). Imperfect active, repetition in Paul s warnings to them. Even weeping (κα κλαιων). Deep emotion as he dictated the letter and recalled these recreant followers of Christ (cf. 2Co 2:4 ). The enemies of the cross of Christ (τους εχθρους του σταυρου του Χριστου). Either the Judaizers who denied the value of the cross of Christ ( Ga 5:11 ; 6:12 , 14 ) or Epicurean antinomians whose loose living gave the lie to the cross of Christ ( 1Jo 2:4 ).
Whose god is the belly (ου το θεος η κοιλια). The comic poet Eupolis uses the rare word Κοιλιοδαιμων for one who makes a god of his belly and Seneca speaks of one who abdomini servit . Sensuality in food, drink, sex then as now mastered some men. These men posed as Christians and gloried in their shame. Who mind earthly things (ο τα επιγεια φρονουντες). Anacoluthon. The nominative does not refer to πολλο at the beginning, but with the accusative τους εχθρους in between. See Mr 12:40 .
Our citizenship (ημων το πολιτευμα). Old word from πιλιτευω ( Php 1:27 ), but only here in N. T. The inscriptions use it either for citizenship or for commonwealth. Paul was proud of his Roman citizenship and found it a protection. The Philippians were also proud of their Roman citizenship. But Christians are citizens of a kingdom not of this world ( Joh 18:36 ).
Milligan ( Vocabulary ) doubts if commentators are entitled to translate it here: "We are a colony of heaven," because such a translation reverses the relation between the colony and the mother city. But certainly here Paul's heart is in heaven. We wait for (απεκδεχομεθα). Rare and late double compound (perfective use of prepositions like wait out) which vividly pictures Paul's eagerness for the second coming of Christ as the normal attitude of the Christian colonist whose home is heaven.
Shall fashion anew (μετασχηματισε). Future active indicative of μετασχηματιζω for which see 1Co 4:6 ; 2Co 11:13 f. . Conformed to (συμμορφον). For which (συν, μορφη) see Ro 8:29 , only N. T. examples. With associative instrumental case. The body of our state of humiliation will be made suitable to associate with the body of Christ's glory ( 1Co 15:54 f. ). According to the working (κατα την ενεργειαν).
"According to the energy." If any one doubts the power of Christ to do this transformation, Paul replies that he has power "even to subject all things unto himself."