Philippians 3

Philippians 3:1

REjoyce in the Lord] Not in worldly comforts and contentments; or not in carnall rites and observations; but in the Lord with a spirituall and heavenly joy.

Philippians 3:2

Beware of dogs] by dogs he understandeth the false Apostles, whom he calleth by this vile and reproachfull name, because they barked at the light truth, snarled and bit sound and sincere preachers with their slanders: or because they returned unto their former grosse and scandalous vices, as the dog to his vomit, 2 Peter 2. 22.

evil workers] Either dccitfull workers, as 2 Corinthians 11:13. who seemed to seek the glory of God; but indeed aimed at their own profit, honour, or glory: or false teachers, who under pretence of building Gods Church, pulled it down; who took great toyle and paines, but onely to vent and further spread their erroneous and dangerous doctrin.

the concision] He calleth them so, not for that they made cuttings in their flesh, after the manner of the supe stitious Gentiles; but because by urging circumcision the made a rent and conciston in the Church: or the praeposition 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 as in 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and divers other words is taken in the worser sense, to disgrace and disparge the circumcision they so much boasted of, which was now no more a seale of Gods covenant, but a mer cutting of the flesh with an incision also, and wounding of the conscience.

Philippians 3:3

we are the circumcision] We now are to be accounted of the true circumcision, who have our hearts circumcised, and and our wicked lusts and affections cut off, by the grace of Christ serving God in puritie of life.

Philippians 3:4

confidence in the flesh] Trust not, nor value our selves by externall priviledges which concern the outward man, or rely not upon carnall rites.

Philippians 3:5

of the stock of Israel] See 2 Corinthians 11:22.

an Hebrew of the Hebrews] Not a proslyte, but a native Hebrew, born of Hebrew parents, without any mixture of Gentiles in my lineage.

as touching the law, a Pharisee] According to the strict observation of the law, Acts 23:6. & Acts 26:5.

Philippians 3:6

persecuting the church] See Acts 22:4. & Acts 26:11. 1 Cor. 15 9. Galatians 1:13.

Philippians 3:7

were gain to me] Those things which while I was a Jew I accounted rare and singular prerogatives, I now make no reckoning of; but slight them as not onely worthlesse, but some way prejudiciall to my better calling.

Philippians 3:9

be found in him] That I who was lost before in my self, might be found in him, as a branch engraffed into the true Vine, John 15:2. or a member incorporated into his mysticall body.

not having mine own righteousnesse] That is, to be in Christ, to be found not in our own righteousnesse, but clothed with the righteousnesse of Christ imputed to us.

Philippians 3:10

That I may know him] Not onely contemplatively, but also practically; that I may feel the power of his resurrection, in raising me first from the death of sinne to the life of grace; and after from the death of nature, to the life of glory.

the fellowship of his sufferings] That I may experimentally finde what exceeding joy and comfort it is to suffer for him, and with him.

Philippians 3:11

resurrection of the dead] He speaketh not of the resurrection of the dead common to all, but of a resurrection to a gloriouis and immortall life, Luke 14:14. John 5:29. In the Originall it is not 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, but 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 which some of the learned observe to be alwaies taken for the resurrection of the just; or resurrection of life, which is opposed to the resurrectiof condemnation.

Philippians 3:12

for which also I am apprehended] For we runne, but so farre forth as we ar laid hold on by Christ; that is, as God giveth us strength, and sheweth us the way. Or, I now follow hard to overtake and lay hold on Christ, who when I before wandred and fled from him, apprehended me and laid hands on me by his grace, Psal 119. 176.

Philippians 3:13

reaching] Gr. streiching.

Philippians 3:14

the mark] The prize of heavenly glory, for which we runne in the holy race set before us, 1 Cor. 9. 24, &c.

Philippians 3:15

as many as be perfect] As many as are fully instructed in this mysterie, and truly strive for Christian perfection. He said before vers. 12. that he was not already perfect; so that in this place he calleth them perfect which had well profited in the knowledge of Christ and the Gospel whom he setteth against the ruder and more ignorant. See more 1 Corinthians 2:6. Or, as many as think your selves perfect.

Philippians 3:16

By the same rule] Of faith and life, to wit, the word of God, not crossing one another inour wayes of teaching, or course of living.

Philippians 3:17

followers together of me] See 1 Corinthians 4:16.

Philippians 3:18

For many walk] He setteth forth the false Apostles in their colours, not out of malice, or emulation; but with sorrow and tears; to wit, that they regarded nothing else, but the commodities of this life; that is to say, their enjoying peace and quietnesse, and to flow in abundance of wealth, and worldly pleasures, and live in honour and estimationi among men, whose miserable end he forewarneth them of.

enemies of the crosse of Christ] Though they preach Christ crucified, yet partly by not mortifying their fleshly lusts; partly by preaching righteousnesse by the law, they undermine the doctrine of the Crosse, and really oppose the power and virtue of Christs passion.

Philippians 3:19

Whose end is destruction] Both of body and soul in hell, Matthew 10:28. See also Romans 6:21,23.

glory is in their shame] Who glory in those things whereof they ought to be ashamed; or which in the end will prove their shame and confusion, Romans 6:21.

Philippians 3:20

For our conversation is in heaven] Zanchius translateth it our burgeship; others our civill society, or politie; the Syriack out trade, or affairs. The Originall 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, signifieth more then can be expressed in one word in our vulgar language. The ful meaning is, We look higher then the earth, we set our affection upon the things that are above; we carry our selves like fellow citizens of Saints; there we live according to the lawes of heaven; and here on earth in part enjoy the privileges of the celestiall Jerusalem.

look for the Saviour] See 1 Corinthians 1:7. Titus 2:13.

Philippians 3:21

our vile body] Gr. the body of our vilenesse.

his glorious body] Gr. the body of his glory.