Philippians 3

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 3 of 4

1 For the rest, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you truly is not troublesome to me, but safe for you.

2 Watch for the dogs, watch for the evil workers, watch for the cutting off party.

3 For we are the circumcision, the ones who worship by the Spirit of God, and who glory in Christ Jesus, and who do not trust in flesh.

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Chapter Summary

1 He warns them to beware of false teachers. 18 He persuades them to reject the ways of carnal Christians.

Key Greek Words

ἡγέομαι count, regard G2233
σκύβαλον refuse, trash G4657
δικαιοσύνη righteousness G1343
ἀνάστασις resurrection G386
διώκω pursue, press on G1377
πολίτευμα citizenship G4175

People & Context

Paul

The apostle writing in the first person, recounting his Hebrew pedigree and counting it loss for Christ

Christ Jesus

The Lord for whose excelling knowledge Paul counts all things loss; the Savior awaited from Heaven

God

The one in whose Spirit they worship and who issues the upward calling and will reveal truth to them

Timeline

Warning Against Trust in the Flesh

Paul explicitly warns the believers to watch out for the 'dogs' and the 'cutting off party,' emphasizing that true believers worship by the Spirit of God [12, 13]. To prove his point, Paul lists his own exceptional Hebrew heritage and Pharisaical zeal, only to dismiss it [13].

Philippians 3:1-6
Counting All Things as Loss

Paul declares that he counts all his past religious gains as loss and mere trash for the excellency of knowing Christ Jesus [13, 14]. His goal is to be found in Christ, having righteousness based on faith rather than the Law [14].

Philippians 3:7-11
Pressing Toward the Goal

Acknowledging he has not yet been perfected, Paul forgets the things behind and stretches out for the things before him [15]. He actively pursues the goal for the prize of the upward calling of God in Christ Jesus [15].

Philippians 3:12-16

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Word-for-word literal translation with Greek interlinear, Strong's numbers, and audio.

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