The Bible — World English Bible
Philippians 3
In brief
In Philippians 3, Paul warns against those who put confidence in the flesh. He lists his flawless record under the Law, then counts it as loss because of the knowledge of Jesus Christ. He no longer seeks his own righteousness but God's, through faith. He says he has not already reached the goal: forgetting what is behind, he presses on toward what is ahead. The chapter reminds us that our citizenship is in heaven, from where we await the Savior.
The chapter in 5 parts
- v. 1-3Rejoicing in the Lord and not putting confidence in the flesh
- v. 4-11Losing everything to gain Christ: the righteousness that comes through faith
- v. 12-16Forgetting what is behind and pressing on toward the goal
- v. 17-19Following good examples and watching out for the enemies of the cross
- v. 20-21Our citizenship is in heaven
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.
Key verses
However, I consider those things that were gain to me as a loss for Christ. Yes 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
Paul reverses the balance sheet: what was a religious gain becomes loss next to the knowledge of Christ. He does not despise his background, he simply sees that nothing compares to a relationship with Jesus.
and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own, that which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith,
The heart of the gospel in one verse: to be found in Christ, not with one's own righteousness, but with the righteousness God gives through faith.
that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming conformed to his death,
Paul's desire is not only to know things about Christ, but to know him. This knowledge includes the power of the resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings.
Brothers, 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, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Paul admits he has not arrived. His energy is turned forward: leaving the past behind and pursuing the goal to which God calls him in Christ Jesus.
For our citizenship is in heaven, from where we also wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who 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.
Our ultimate identity is in heaven. Christ will return to transform our body, and this hope gives direction to our walk today.
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What the sermons say
Frequently asked questions about Philippians 3
What is the message of Philippians 3?
Paul affirms that nothing compares to knowing Jesus Christ, and that salvation rests not on our merits but on the righteousness God gives through faith. He then invites us to move forward without being defined by the past, pursuing the goal God has set, in the hope of Christ's return.
What does forgetting what is behind mean in Philippians 3:13?
Paul is not talking about denying the past. He refuses to lean on his past successes or his failures in order to move forward. His eyes are fixed on what God offers ahead. For the one who is forgiven, the past no longer has the right to decide what comes next.
What does Paul mean by the righteousness that comes through faith?
He contrasts two ways of being righteous before God: the one we try to earn by keeping the Law, and the one God gives freely to whoever believes in Christ. Paul, who was blameless under the Law, declares that he left everything behind to receive this second righteousness.
What does it mean that our citizenship is in heaven?
Paul reminds us that the believer's identity and citizenship are not limited to this world. The Philippians, whose city was a Roman colony, understood this image. It invites us to live here with the hope of Christ's return and of the promised transformation.
Articles quoting Philippians 3
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- Birds of a Feather Flock Together: Don't Lose God's Peace
- How Do I Know If God Is Calling Me? Four Biblical Markers
- Genesis 32: Give Everything to God to Gain Everything
- 2 Timothy 1: I Know Whom I Have Believed, Even in Uncertainty
World English Bible translation — public domain.