1.
Finally, 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.
in . App-104 .
Lord. App-98 .
not . App-105 .
grievous = irksome. Greek. oknneros. See Romans 12:11 .
safe . Greek. asphales. See Acts 21:34 .
2.
Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.
Beware . App-133 .
evil , App-128 .
concision . Greek. katatome. Only here. The verb katatemno Occurs in the Septuagint of heathen mutilations. Leviticus 21:5 . 1 Kings 18:28 . Paul regards the circumcision of the Judaizers as a mere ordinance, no better than a heathen one. Compare Romans 2:26-29 . 1 Corinthians 7:19 , Galatians 1:5 , Galatians 1:6 ; Galatians 6:15 .
3.
For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
the circumcision . i.e. the true circumcision. Greek. peritome. Note the Paronomasia ( App-6 ) Katatome , peritome.
worship . App-137 and App-190 .
God. App-98 . All the texts have Theou., instead of Theo, making it dependent upon pneumati, and reading, "worship by the spirit of God", i.e. the new nature. App-101 . Compare Romans 8:9 .
and rejoice = rejoicing, or glorying.
Christ Jesus . App-98 .
have , &c. = not ( App-105 ) trusting ( App-150 .)
4.
Though 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:
I might , &c. = having myself confidence ( App-150 .) in the flesh also. Here Paul takes the Judaizers on their own ground.
If. App-118 .
any other man = any ( App-123 .) other ( App-124 .)
that . . . trust . Literally to have confidence.
trust . App-150 .
5.
Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
Circumcised = In circumcision, as in Philippians 3:3 .
of. App-104 .
stock . Greek. genos . 1 Corinthians 12:10 (kind). Galatians 1:1 , Galatians 1:14 (nation).
the Hebrews. Omit "the". He refers to his parents, both Hebrews.
as touching = according to. App-104 .
Pharisee. App-120 .
6.
Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
Concerning, touching. App-104 .
church. App-186 .
righteousness . App-191 .
blameless = found blameless, i.e. before men. Compare Acts 24:20 .
7.
But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
gain. Greek. kerdos. See Philippians 1:21 . Note the seven gains in verses: Philippians 3:5 , Philippians 3:6
counted . Same as "esteem", Philippians 2:3 .
loss. Greek. zemia . See Acts 27:10 .
for. App-104 .Philippians 3:2 .
Christ . App-98 .
8.
Yea 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,
excellency = excelling. Greek. huperecho. See Philippians 2:3 .
knowledge. App-132 .
Lord. App-98 .
suffered , &c. Greek. zemioo . See 1 Corinthians 3:15 .
be dung = to be dung. Greek. skubalon. Only here.
that = in order that. Greek. hina.
win = gain. kerdaino . Occurs sixteen times, translated gain except here, and 1 Peter 3:1 . First occurance: Matthew 16:26 .
9.
And 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:
not. App-105 .
mine own , &c. = any . . . of mine.
through . App-104 .Philippians 3:1 .
the faith of Christ = Christ's faith. See Hebrews 12:2 .
faith . App-150 .
by. App-104 .
10.
That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
know. App-132 .
power. App-172 .
resurrection . App-178 .
sufferings . Compare 2 Corinthians 1:5-7 . 1 Peter 4:13 .
being made conformable. Greek. summorphoomai . Only here. See Philippians 3:21 .
unto = to.
11.
If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
If . App-118 .
by any means . As Acts 27:12 .
attain . Greek. katantao . See Acts 16:1 .
unto . App-104 .
resurrection = out-resurrection. App-178 . Only here.
of the dead . All the texts read, "the one from (Greek. ek) the dead", making the expression emphatic. App-189 . The term resurrection of the dead ( anastasis nekron) is of frequent occurrence (Matthew 22:31 .Acts 17:32 ; Acts 23:6 . 1 Corinthians 15:12 , 1 Corinthians 15:13 , 1 Corinthians 15:21 , 1 Corinthians 15:42 .Hebrews 6:2 , &c.), and includes the resurrection to life, of the just, and the resurrection to judgment, of the unjust (John 5:29 . Acts 24:15 .Daniel 12:2; Daniel 12:2 ). Resurrection from the dead (ek nekron) implies the resurrection of some, the former of these two classes, the others being left behind. See Luke 20:35 .Acts 4:2 . Paul had no doubt of attaining to this, as may he seen from 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 , written some ten years before. The exanastasis must therefore mean a further selection of some before the anastasis of 1 Thessalonians 4:14 , and Paul was not yet sure of attaining to this. Perhaps he had the assurance when he wrote 2 Timothy 4:7 . It is noteworthy that there is no reference to any living ones being caught up, or any parousia of the Lord here, as in 1 Thessalonians 4:15 , 1 Thessalonians 4:16 ,
12.
Not 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.
as though = that.
had. Omit.
attained = received.
perfect = perfected. App-125 .
follow after . Same as Philippians 3:6 (persecuting), and Philippians 3:14 (press).
apprehend . Greek. katalambano. See John 1:5 .Ephesians 3:18 , The Greek adds "also",
for. App-104 .
also , Read after "apprehended".
am = was.
of = by. App-104 .
13.
Brethren, 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,
not . Many texts read "not yet".
reaching forth . Greek. epekteinomai. Only here.
14.
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
press . Same as "follow after", Philippians 3:12 .
toward App-104 .
mark . Greek. skopos . Only here.
for . App-104 ., but the texts rend eis ( App-104 .),
prize . Greek. brabeion. Only here and 1 Corinthians 9:24 .
high calling = the calling above, or on high (Greek. ano , see John 8:23 ). No shout, or voice of archangel or trampet here, as in 1 Thessalonians 4:16 .
15.
Let 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.
perfect. App-126 .
be thus minded = have this in mind. Greek. phroneo, as in verses: Php 16:19 .
be . . . minded . Same word.
otherwise . Greek. heteros . Only used thus here. Compare App-124 .
reveal . App-106 .
even = also.
16.
Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
whereto = to ( App-104 .) which (point).
attained . = come, as Matthew 12:28 .
rule . Greek. kanon . See 2 Corinthians 10:13 , but the texts omit "rule", &c.
17.
Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
be . Literally become.
followers together. Lit fellow-imitators. Greek. summimetes, Only here.
mark. Greek. skopeo. See Luke 11:35 .
ensample. Greek. typos , pattern.
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:
Philippians 3:18-19 = These verses form a Parembole, App-6 .
19.
Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
end . Compare Romans 6:21 . 2 Corinthians 11:15 .Hebrews 6:8 .
destruction . Same as "perdition", Philippians 1:28 .
god. App-98 .
belly . Compare Romans 16:18 ,
earthly . See Philippians 2:10 .
20.
For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
conversation . Greek. politeuma , Only here in N.T. It sec, in the Septuagint and in 2 Macc. 12.7. The seat of the government of which we are citizens (Greek. polites), and of which we have both rights and responsibilities. Compare the verb, Philippians 1:27 .
is = exists even now. Greek. huparcho. See Luke 9:48 .
heaven = heavens. See Matthew 6:9 , Matthew 6:10 .
from. App-104 .
whence = which, singular, referring to politeuma .
also . To follow "Saviour".
look for = eagerly wait for. Greek. apekdechomai. See Romans 8:19 .
Jesus Christ . App-98 .
21.
Who 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.
change = transform, or change the fashion of. Greek. meta schematizo. See 1 Corinthians 4:6 .
vile body = body of humiliation (Greek. tapeinosis. See Acts 8:33 ).
that it may be, The texts omit.
fashioned like = (to be) conformed. Greek. summorphos. See Romans 8:29 , Compare Philippians 3:10 above. Notice the use of and contrast between schema, fashion, in metaschematizo, and morphe, form, in summorphos, and Compare Philippians 2:8 .
His glorious body , the body of His glory. according to. App-104 .
working . Greek. energeia. See Ephesians 1:19 .
whereby He is able = of His ability.
subdue = subject. Compare 1 Corinthians 15:27 , 1 Corinthians 15:28 .