Philippians 3

Philippians 3:2

Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.

Beware of those profane and impure men, which open their unhallowed mouths against the truth of God: beware of those false teachers, which, under pretence of edifying God’s Church, pull it down, by their life and erroneous doctrine: beware of the Judaizing opposers of the Gospel; who, while they talk of circumcision, do indeed make a concision and rent in the Church.

Philippians 3:3

For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the Spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

For, whatsoever they may pretend, we are indeed of the true and spiritual circumcision, and not they; we, who worship God inwardly in the soul, and stand not upon an outward cutting of the flesh; we, who place the confidence and joy of our hearts upon Christ Jesus, and not upon these external acts and privileges which concern the outward man.

Philippians 3:4

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.

Although I dare boldly say, if these outward privileges were to be stood upon, there is none of them all, who could find more cause of confidence and boasting herein, than I might.

Philippians 3:6

Concerning the righteousness of the law, I was blameless.

I was so strict and punctual in the observation of the prescriptions of the law, as that no man could tax me for the breach or violation thereof.

Philippians 3:7

But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

But those things, which, while I was a Jew, I accounted as rare and excellent prerogatives, those now, since that I was converted to Christ, I have made no reckoning of; but have slighted them, as not only worthless, but even rather prejudicial to my better calling.

Philippians 3:9

And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness.

That I, who was but a lost man in myself, might be found in him, not having, &c. III. 10, 11. That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. That I may know him, both in speculation and in practice; and may both know and feel the power of his Resurrection, raising me from the death; and that I may experimentally find what a comfort and happiness it is, to suffer for him and with him, that thereby I may be made conformable to him in his death; That so, by this means, I may attain to that eternal life, which follows upon the happy Resurrection of the just; and, in the mean time, that full measure of mortification and newness of life, which he hath ordained me unto.

Philippians 3:12

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.

Not that I have as yet already attained it: let no man misconstrue me, as boasting of my perfection: no; I come as yet short; but I strive and labour towards it, and follow hard, that I may reach it at the last: yet can I not do it, as of myself; it is Christ’s laying hold on me, that will and must enable me thus to lay hold on Christ. III. 13, 14. 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, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. As those, that run in a race, forget how much ground they have already passed, and mind only that part of the way which yet remaineth to the goal: so do I, in this course of my Christian profession, never look back to what I have done, but still look forward to that which I yet must and ought to do, And thus consciously labouring, I press forward toward that prize of heavenly glory, which is the blessed issue and fruit of our high calling in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:15

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.

Let us therefore, so many of us as are sincere and true hearted to God, and such as do truly strive for this Christian perfection, be thus minded; renouncing all confidence in ourselves, or ought that pertains to us, and seeking for Justification only in Christ: and, if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, as depending upon the Works of the Law, or any other outward helps, God shall, in his good time, open your eyes to see and acknowledge this truth of his, which he hath revealed unto me.

Philippians 3:16

Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

Nevertheless, in the mean time, for so much of the truth of God as we have already obtained the knowledge of, let us therein walk on peaceably and lovingly; following one and the same rule of the word of God, and conspiring in all Christian unanimity and concord, to do all good offices to God and each other.

Philippians 3:18

(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:

For many, even of those that profess themselves to be Christians, of whom I have oft complained and warned you, and now renew my complaint with tears, live inordinately; and so, as that they proclaim themselves to be the secret and real enemies to the Gospel of Christ, and opposers of the power and virtue of his passion.

Philippians 3:19

Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

Whose end is destruction of body and soul, who make a god of their ease and pleasure and profit, avoiding all the danger of persecution for maintenance of the truth, and making an advantage of their plausible teaching; who now glory in that, which will at last prove their shame and confusion; who mind only these transitory and earthly things.

Philippians 3:20

For our conversation is in heaven; from whence &c.

As for us, we overlook the earth, and have both our affections and conversation in heaven beforehand; from whence &c.