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Philippians

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Philippians 3

1Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not irksome, but for you it is safe.

1Finally, 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.

Commentary · verse 1

Paul began writing his final thoughts to the Philippians, not necessarily his last thoughts. This final thought was according to the theme of this letter: rejoice in the Lord. Paul did not feel hindered in writing to the Philippians.

2Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the concision:

2Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.

Commentary · verse 2

Paul was making them aware of "dogs, evil workers, and the concision":

  • "Dogs" being "impure persons."
  • Evil workers being "deceitful workers"…people with a right WHAT and a wrong or no HOW/WHY.
  • The "concision" being "circumcision"…which Paul followed through with in the next verse.

3for we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God, and glory in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh:

3For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

Commentary · verse 3

Paul stating "we are the circumcision" was in the context of those who lived by faith. This referred to spiritual circumcision, those whose confidence was in the Holy Spirit and not in the flesh.

4though I myself might have confidence even in the flesh: if any other man thinketh to have 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; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 6as touching zeal, persecuting the church; as touching the righteousness which is in the law, found blameless.

4Though 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:

5Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;

6Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

Commentary · verses 4-6

Paul revisited the theme of chapter 1: Confidence. If anyone was to have confidence in the flesh it would be Paul. Everything the people in Paul's day stated were things to be grasped, were things Paul had attained. However, all those things were physical.

7Howbeit what things were gain to me, these have I counted loss for Christ.

8Yea verily, and I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but refuse, that I may gain Christ,

7But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

8Yea 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,

Commentary · verses 7-8

Paul counted anything that was not for Christ as "refuse." Paul consecrated himself from the things that would appeal to his flesh.

9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of mine own, even that which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith:

9And 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:

Commentary · verse 9

The theme of the previous chapter: Righteousness comes by faith in God.

10that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming conformed unto his death; 11if by any means I may attain unto the resurrection from the dead.

10That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

11If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

Commentary · verses 10-11

Paul again revisited the theme of chapter 2: Conformity.

12Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect: but I press on, if so be that I may lay hold on that for which also I was laid hold on by Christ Jesus.

12Not 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.

Commentary · verse 12

Paul knew there was no finish line in growth. Believers ought to always be progressing in Christ.

13Brethren, I count not myself yet to have laid 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 unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

13Brethren, 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,

14I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Commentary · verses 13-14

The only thing Paul admitted to having attained was a long term mentality. He was focused (concentrated) on growth, on progress towards consecration.

15Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, be thus minded: and if in anything ye are otherwise minded, this also shall God reveal unto you: 16only, whereunto we have attained, by that same rule let us walk.

15Let 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.

16Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

Commentary · verses 15-16

Paul wanted other believers to be as concentrated on consecration (perfection) as he was and if not, may God reveal it to you.

17Brethren, be ye imitators together of me, and mark them that so walk even as ye have us for an ensample.

17Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

Commentary · verse 17

Paul blatantly stated he wanted people to be as him (growth oriented) and that others who were also concentrated on consecration should be pointed out for the benefit of others.

18For many walk, of whom I told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19whose end is perdition, whose god is the belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.

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:

19Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

Commentary · verses 18-19

The enemies of the "cross of Christ" were people who concentrated on the physical, who concentrated on their own glory, and whose end was eternal destruction...which was not consecration.

20For our citizenship is in heaven; whence also we wait for a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

20For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

Commentary · verse 20

Paul stated that "we wait for a Savior." Since Christ had already come, died for our sins, was buried, and rose again, Paul must have meant the second coming of Christ: the Meaning of Life.

21who shall fashion anew the body of our humiliation, that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, according to the working whereby he is able even to subject all things unto himself.

21Who 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.

Commentary · verse 21

Our final consecration will be achieved through conforming to the Body of His glory, which is the Bride that is submitted to Jesus, the Groom in Marriage.

Theme of Chapter 3: Paul exhorted the Philippians to concentrate on their consecration in Christ, to continually focus on growing in Righteousness regardless of our circumstances. The final chapter concluded with contentment.

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