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Philippians 3

World English Bible

WEB

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’s walk by the same rule. Let’s 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, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org

Overview

Philippians Chapter 3 is a powerful exhortation from the Apostle Paul, emphasizing the importance of knowing Christ and the futility of relying on human achievements. Paul begins by warning the Philippians about the 'dogs' and 'evil workers,' referring to those who insist on circumcision and adherence to the law for salvation. He contrasts this with his own background, listing his credentials as a Hebrew of Hebrews, a Pharisee, and zealous for the law. However, he declares that all these accomplishments are worthless compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus, his Lord. This highlights the central theme of the chapter: true righteousness comes through faith in Christ, not from the law (#Philippians #Paul #Righteousness).

Paul expresses his desire to know Christ intimately, sharing in His sufferings and becoming like Him in His death, so that he may attain the resurrection from the dead. He acknowledges that he has not yet reached perfection but presses on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly calling in Christ Jesus. This call to perseverance encourages believers to forget what lies behind and strive forward, reminding them that their citizenship is in heaven. Paul concludes by urging the Philippians to imitate him and to follow those who live according to the example he has set, reinforcing the importance of community and accountability in the Christian faith.

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Referenced by

  1. 2 Samuel 6:21-22v7David's willingness to be humiliated for the sake of the Lord parallels Paul's attitude in Philippians 3:7-8, where he considers all things loss for the sake of Christ.
  2. Nehemiah 6:3v14Nehemiah's response to distractions emphasizes his focus on God's work, similar to Paul's focus on the goal of the heavenly call in Christ Jesus.
  3. Job 27:5v9Job 27:5 emphasizes Job's commitment to maintaining his integrity, paralleling Paul's desire in Philippians 3:9 to be found in Christ, not having a righteousness of his own but that which is through faith.
  4. Psalms 63:8v12Psalm 63:8 speaks of the soul following hard after God, which resonates with Philippians 3:12 where Paul speaks of pressing on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of him.
  5. Psalms 73:25v8Psalm 73:25 expresses a desire for nothing on earth besides God, which resonates with Philippians 3:8, where Paul considers everything a loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ.
  6. Matthew 13:44v7Matthew 13:44 describes the Kingdom of Heaven as a treasure, paralleling Paul's description in Philippians 3:7-8 of valuing Christ above all else.
  7. Luke 9:62v13Luke 9:62 emphasizes the commitment required to follow Jesus, similar to Paul's focus on pressing forward toward the goal in Philippians 3:13-14.
  8. John 4:23v3John 4:23 speaks of true worshipers worshiping in spirit and truth, which aligns with Philippians 3:3 where Paul describes believers as those who worship by the Spirit of God.
  9. Acts 22:28v5Acts 22:28 mentions Paul's Roman citizenship, which he uses to his advantage. In Philippians 3:5, Paul lists his credentials, including his heritage, showing his dual identity as a Jew and a Roman citizen.
  10. Acts 23:6v5In Acts 23:6, Paul identifies himself as a Pharisee, which he also mentions in Philippians 3:5, providing context for his background and understanding of the law.
  11. Romans 16:17v2Romans 16:17 warns against those who cause divisions, similar to Philippians 3:2, where Paul warns against 'dogs' and 'evil workers,' emphasizing vigilance against false teachings.
  12. 1 Corinthians 1:30v91 Corinthians 1:30 describes Christ as our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, which is related to Philippians 3:9 where Paul speaks of having righteousness through faith in Christ.
  13. 1 Corinthians 4:16v171 Corinthians 4:16 urges believers to imitate Paul, which is echoed in Philippians 3:17 where Paul encourages believers to follow his example.
  14. 1 Corinthians 6:13v191 Corinthians 6:13 discusses the body not being for immorality but for the Lord, similar to Philippians 3:19, which warns against those whose god is their belly, emphasizing the call to honor God with our bodies.
  15. 1 Corinthians 9:24v14Paul uses the metaphor of a race to describe the Christian life, urging believers to run in such a way as to win the prize, similar to his exhortation in Philippians to press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call.
  16. 2 Corinthians 1:5v102 Corinthians 1:5 discusses sharing in Christ's sufferings, which is echoed in Philippians 3:10 where Paul expresses a desire to know Christ and the fellowship of His sufferings.
  17. 2 Corinthians 4:10v102 Corinthians 4:10 speaks of carrying the death of Jesus in our bodies, so that His life may also be revealed. Philippians 3:10 echoes this by expressing a desire to know Christ and the power of His resurrection, sharing in His sufferings.
  18. Galatians 6:14v7Galatians 6:14 speaks of boasting only in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is similar to Philippians 3:7-8 where Paul considers everything as loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ.
  19. Ephesians 2:19v20Ephesians 2:19 speaks of believers as fellow citizens with the saints and members of God's household, which resonates with Philippians 3:20, where Paul states that our citizenship is in heaven.
  20. Colossians 3:2v20Colossians 3:2 encourages believers to set their minds on things above, similar to Philippians 3:20, which reminds believers that their citizenship is in heaven.
  21. 1 Thessalonians 1:6v171 Thessalonians 1:6 notes the Thessalonians becoming imitators of Paul and the Lord, which aligns with Philippians 3:17 where Paul encourages believers to follow his example as he follows Christ.
  22. 1 Thessalonians 2:12v141 Thessalonians 2:12 encourages believers to walk worthy of God, who calls them into His kingdom and glory, similar to Philippians 3:14 where Paul presses toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
  23. Hebrews 6:1v12Hebrews 6:1 encourages believers to move beyond elementary teachings and press on to maturity, similar to Paul's exhortation in Philippians 3:12-14 to press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
  24. 1 John 3:2v211 John 3:2 speaks of believers being transformed to be like Christ at His appearing, which is also described in Philippians 3:21 where our lowly bodies will be transformed to be like His glorious body.

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