Philippians 3
Philippians 3 is part of “Warning Against False Teachers” (3:1–3) in the outline of Philippians.
Philippians 3 summary
He cautions them against judaizing seducers (Phi 3:1-3) and proposes his own example: and here he enumerates the privileges of his Jewish state which he rejected (Phi 3:4-8), describes the matter of his own choice (Phi 3:9-16), and closes with an exhortation to beware of wicked men, and to follow his example (Phi 3:17-21).
Source: Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Key verses in Philippians 3
Philippians 3 (GNV)
Geneva Bible 1599 (public domain)
Warning Against False Teachers
1Moreouer, my brethren, reioyce in the Lord. It grieueth mee not to write the same things to you, and for you it is a sure thing. 2Beware of dogges: beware of euil workers: beware of the concision. 3For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirite, and reioyce in Christ Iesus, and haue no confidence in the flesh:
Righteousness Through Faith in Christ
4Though I might also haue confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, much more I, 5Circumcised the eight day, of the kinred of Israel, of the tribe of Beniamin, an Ebrewe of the Ebrewes, by the Lawe a Pharise. 6Concerning zeale, I persecuted ye Church: touching the righteousnesse which is in the Law, I was vnrebukeable. 7But the thinges that were vantage vnto me, the same I counted losse for Christes sake. 8Yea, doubtlesse I thinke all thinges but losse for the excellent knowledge sake of Christ Iesus my Lord, for whome I haue counted all things losse, and doe iudge them to bee dongue, that I might winne Christ, 9And might bee founde in him, that is, not hauing mine owne righteousnesse, which is of the Lawe, but that which is through the faith of Christ, euen the righteousnesse which is of God through faith, 10That I may know him, and the vertue of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his afflictions, and be made conformable vnto his death, 11If by any meanes I might attaine vnto the resurrection of the dead:
Pressing Toward the Goal
12Not as though I had alreadie attained to it, either were alreadie perfect: but I follow, if that I may comprehend that for whose sake also I am comprehended of Christ Iesus. 13Brethren, I count not my selfe, that I haue attained to it, but one thing I doe: I forget that which is behinde, and endeuour my selfe vnto that which is before, 14And follow hard toward the marke, for the prise of the hie calling of God in Christ Iesus. 15Let vs therefore as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if yee be otherwise minded, God shall reueile euen the same vnto you. 16Neuerthelesse, in that whereunto wee are come, let vs proceede by one rule, that wee may minde one thing. 17Brethren, bee followers of mee, and looke on them, which walke so, as yee haue vs for an ensample. 18For many walke, of whom I haue told you often, and nowe tell you weeping, that they are the enemies of the Crosse of Christ: 19Whose ende is damnation, whose God is their bellie, and whose glorie is to their shame, which minde earthly things. 20But our conuersation is in heauen, from whence also we looke for the Sauiour, euen the Lord Iesus Christ, 21Who shall change our vile bodie, that it may be fashioned like vnto his glorious body, according to the working, whereby hee is able euen to subdue all things vnto him selfe.