Philippians 3

1 The Apostle warns the Philippians against the seduction of the false Apostles, who mingled the Law and the Gospel together, 3 and teacheth on the contrary that not the outward circumcision, but the spiritual is necessary to salvation, 4 Which he confirms by his own example and faith. 5 And for that end he related, that he had all those outward advantages which these boasted to have, 7 But that he regarded not those things, nor put any confidence therein, but only in Christ: 9 Not relying on his own righteousness which is of the law, but only on the righteousness of Christ, which he deserves with its fruits. 12 Nevertheless acknowledgeth his own imperfection, how much so ever he followed after persecution, 15 And exhorts the Philippians they should doe the like also, according to this rule and after his example. 18 reproving those that did otherwise, with a denunciation of eternal destruction to them, 20 and comforts true believers with the glory even of the body, which the Lord Christ shall procure us.

1. Furthermore my brethren rejoice ye in the lord. [That is, for the grace which the Lord had shewed us. Or, with a joy which is acceptable to the Lord, namely, in the midst of tribulations.] To write the same thing to you [namely, which I have taught you before by mouth. See Thes. 2.15.] is it not irksome to me, [or is it not grievous, troublesome, too much to me] and it is for you [that is, it tends and is serviceable for your assurance, thereby to more and more confirmed in the truth of Christian doctrine and in the faith.]

2. Beware of the dogs, [That is, observe the dogs, and take heed of the false Apostles, which he calls by this reproachful name of dogs to express their nature, that they impudently bark at and bite the sincere teachers with their slanders] beware of the evil labourers [that is, who indeed take much pains and labor, but to implant in men evil and corrupt doctrine.] Beware of the concision, [that is, who are of the circumcision, boast thereof, and teacheth that circumcision is necessary to salvation. Which may be justly be called not so much a circumcision, as indeed a concision ( cutting in pieces.) The Apostle here very elegantly changeth the word circumcision into concision, because the doctrine of these false Apostles, cuts off the men that embrace it from Christ, and as it were cuts them in pieces, unto destruction.]

3. For we [Namely, who seek place our righteousness only in Christ, as is declared hereafter.] are the circumcision, [that is, the true circumcision which avails before God, which is the inward circumcision of the heart. See Romans 2:29.] we who serve God in the Spirit [or with the Spirit, i.e. inwardly with the soul and heart Job. 4.24. Ephes. 6.18. of by the power of the holy spirit.] and glory in Christ Jesus, [namely, that we have our salvation in him, and in his righteousness only. 1 Cor. 1.30,31.] and trust not in the flesh: [that is, in the outward ceremonies of the law, or outward circumcision of the flesh, and observation of the same, to be saved thereby, and is opposed to the word spirit used before.]

4. Although I have also what to trust to might in the flesh: [Gr. Although I also have confidence in the flesh, i.e. although I also have matter concerning that outward circumcision and other ceremonies of the law together with the outward advantages of the Jews, to put confidence in, namely, if a man might put his confidence to be saved therein] if any other man thinketh that he may put trust in the flesh, [namely, of these false Apostles, who always boasted much in those outward things, and sought therein] I yet more: [That is, I should find yet more wherein to put trust.

5. Circumcised the eight day [Gr. Eight days circumcision] of the generation, an Hebrew of the Hebrews, according to the Law a Pharisee: [That is, in the respect of the sense of the law: Or of those three sects which were among the people of the Jews, Sedduces, Essences, and Pharisees, I was addicted to the sect of the Pharisees; which was accounted the discreetness of all, Acts 26:5.]

6. According to zeal [Namely, for the observation of the ceremonies of the Law: wherein the false Apostles were also very zealous, but perversely] a persecutor of the church: [namely, of the Christians, who sought not their salvation in the works of the Law, but only in Christ] according to the righteousness which is in the Law, That is which the law outwardly requires of men] being unbearable. [Namely, so that men could not reprove me for any willful transgression of the Law, seeing mine external works were conformable to the Law of God. Whereby notwithstanding he declares that he was not justified. 1 Cor. 4.4.]

7. But that which was gain to me [Gr which were gains to me which I am that time esteemed to be profitable and advantageous to me and to salvation]that I esteemed loss for Christ [that is on the contrary rejected as bringing loss to me.]

8. Yeah surely I also account [that is I do not only esteem if so when I was first converted unto Christ but account it so still and continue in the same opinion]all things [namely by which man seek their salvation without Christ]to be damaged for Excellency of knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord[namely not of the bare knowledge but of the saving knowledge which is accompanied with affiance and faith John 17:3 as the word my lord import]for whose sake I have reckoned all these things damage [Gr have suffered loss of all those things]and account to be dung [the Greek word properly signifies things which either are cast forth by dogs or cast before dogs that is forbid things and refuse]that I may win Christ[that is be made partaker of righteousness of Christ which is the greatest gain.]

9. And be found [namely in the judgment of God]in him [that is in his communion engrafted by faith and being partaker of his righteousness]not having my own righteousness [that is not relying on mine own righteousness] which is of the law [that is which consist in perfect observation of the law as well moral as ceremonial]but that which is by the faith of Christ [that is which men obtained when they believed in Christ and thereby embrace his righteousness and that which is imputed to believers by God of grace and their own righteousness]namely the righteousness [namely of Christ] which is of God [that is which God freely gives and graciously imputes to us Romans 4:6]by faith [Gr in that is which we obtain and apply to ourselves by faith as by a spiritual instrument whereby this righteousness is received.]

10. That [hereby he describes the true saving and justifying faith wherein the same consist what it aims at and what it produceth] I may know [see verse 8]him [namely Christ] and the power of his resurrection [that is the fruits and benefits which he having procured for us by his death powerfully applies and brings to us by his resurrection namely our justification before God and the power to arise from the death of sin see Romans 4:25 and 6,3,4 &c and 8.11 1Peter 4.1,2] and the fellowship of his suffering [that is that I may have part in the fruits of Christ suffering namely that thereby I may be delivered from the punishment of sin and raised up to a new life and for his sake willingly endure his suffering crosses and tribulation which may come upon me for his sake] being conformable to his death [namely the old man being mortified in me Romans 6:5,6 and for his sake being killed all the day long Romans 8:36]

11. If any means I may come these words signify not here uncertainty of this thing but the difficulty to obtain it thereby to quicken up our desire and diligence and the sense is diligently pursuing this if by any means 1 &c] unto the resurrection of the dead [namely the blessed resurrection of the just and thereby unto eternal glory and blessedness Luke14.14 Job 6.39,40,44,54 therefore only the faithful and the righteous are called the children of resurrection Luke 20:36 not but that the ungodly shall arise Daniel 12:2 Acts 24:15 but their resurrection shall be unto condemnation Job 5.29 and therefore rather a fall and a resurrection .]

12. Not that I have already obtained it [namely the perfection of regeneration in this life] or am already perfect [namely in generation] but I pursue after it [Gr I prosecute it with great desire and diligence] if I may also apprehend it [thereby he meaneth not that he is uncertain whether he shall obtain but sheweth the difficulty of and his zeal after it as in the former verse] for which [that is to obtain which I am also apprehended of Jesus Christ [that is as it were apprehended and taken by Christ when persecuting his Church and as it were running into destruction on the way to Damascus I was laid hold on by him and converted unto him Acts 9 see the like 1 Corinthians 13:12.]

13. Brethren I account not [that is I do not persuade myself as some might think because I boast so much of communion with and his benefits] that I may self apprehend it.

14. But one thing I do [namely as the principal wherein I exercise myself with all diligence psalms 27.4 Luke 10:42] forgetting that [that is not being content with that good which heretofore I may have done] which is behind [that iswhich is past whereby understood that which he hath done hither to even since his being converted unto Christ a similitude taken from those who are already run far from a race and leave behind them the place which they have run see 1 Corinthians 9:24] and reaching [or stretching forth as runner stretch forth forward their head neck arms and body to run faster by which similitude he declares his great and diligent Endeavour which he useth with all his might to attain unto that which is before [that is which must yet be run to come to the end or goal or unto the promises of the gospel which are set before to get and apprehend them] I pursue[Gr prosecute as verse 21] after the mark that is after the goal set at the end of the race towards which the runners strive to run first to hold upon it and so to win the prize] unto the prize[Gr brabeton whereby is understood a crown or other mark of honor which is given unto them which had won in the race and the apostle thereby understands eternal salvation which he calls a crown of righteousness 2 Timothy 4:8] of the calling of God [that is which shall be given to them whom God have effectually called unto the fellowship of salvation and who are obedient to this calling and consequently stedfastly run out this race even to the end] which is from above [that is which comes unto us from God out of Heaven and invites and brings us unto heavenly blessedness in Christ Jesus] that is which is to be obtained by the merits of Christ alone and which is given unto us for him by him ]

15. as many of us therefore as are perfect [by this word the apostle understands not chose which are altogether in the keeping of law for that he before denied of himself verse 12,13 but those that well and thouroughly understands the article of Christian religion and are as it were come to full grown age therein Ephesians 4:13 to whom are proposed those who are yet as children in knowledge see 1 Corinthians 2:6 and chapter 3.1 Hebrews 5:13,14]let us judge this namely that is here before taught by him namely of a man’s justification before God verse 9and of our imperfection in this life verse 12 and the like] and if you judge ought otherwise namely in matters of lesser moment ] that also shall God reveal unto you [namely causing you in time to increase and grow up in knowledge if so be you shew yourselves teacheable and diligently use the means thereunto this he saith not of secret revelation without the word of God but the ordinary revelation or manifestation which he maketh by the preaching of his word accompanied with illumination of his spirit and this is said principally for comfort of the weak who could not yet rightly understand that the ceremonial law was wholly abrogated namely that is in time that God would give them to understand that also see hereof also Romans 14]

16. Yet whereunto we are come [that is in those doctrines to understand whereof we are brought by the grace of god] let us therein walk according to the same rule [that is according to the knowledge of which we have of it out of Gods word which is as a square or rule according to which we must regulate our faith and walking] let us judge the same thing.

17. But ye also or together likewise imitators of me [namely in judgment and conversation see 1 Corinthians 11:1] brethren and mark those which walk so [namely as I walk as is declared in that which follows] as ye have us for a pattern .

18. For many walk otherwise [namely of the teacher who peach the word and walk not in their calling as we do] if whom I have told you often [namely when I was with you warning you of the same in my preaching]and now also[namely by this my writing] tell you weeping[that is with grief of heart arising from thence that these man with their false doctrine and disorderly life seduces and disturb the church and hale down destruction upon their own head] that they are enemies of the cross of Christ [that is shewing that they are enemies of the doctrine whereby is taught that man are saved not by the keeping of the law but by the alone sacrifice of Christ performed on the cross 1 Corinthians 1:23,24 and 2.2.]

19. Whose end is destruction [that is who at last shall be punished by God with eternal damnation Revelations 19.20 ,21 see also chapter 1.28] whose God is the belly [that is who is instead of serving God and spreading abroad his honor seek nothing else but to lead a delicate and easy live and to serve their belly as if it were God]and whose glory [that is honor which they seek of men and of which they boast] is in their shame [that is seek their honor in that which is shameful to them or unto their shame that is shall fall out for their temporal and eternal shame]who mind or consider that is [are carried after with their fences and understanding]earthly things[that is temporal pleasure and ease]

20. But our walking [or citizenship that is civil conversation and manner of living of true Christians see chapter 1.27] is in the heavens [that is ,is such that it always pursues after not earthly things but heavenly and after glory which is laid up in heaven see Colossians 3:1,2] from whence [Gr out of which namely place of heaven see the like Matthew 2:9] we also look for the savior [namely to come judge the quick and the dead Acts 1:11] namely the Lord Jesus Christ.

21. Who shall change [the Greek word signifies to in fashion of quality see 1 Corinthians 15:52 &c] our low brought body [Gr the body of our lowliness or our body of lowliness that is this our mortal and corruptible body]that the same may be comfortable [namely in incorruptibleness and mortality other spiritual properties see 1 Corinthians 15,48,49] to his glorious body [Gr to the body of his body or to his body of glory namely which he had after his resurrection and now still hath in heaven]according to the working whereby he can also subject all things to himself [that is according to his divine and almighty power whereby he is able to do all things and therefore can also bring about the resurrection and changing of our bodies .]