Philippians 3

1 the same things. Partly, perhaps, Christian joy, so often dwelt upon in this Epistle (see i. 18; ii. 17, 18; iv. 4), but also the warning against dissensions (ii. 3, 14). “Grievous” here means irkeone.

2 dogs. See Job xxx. 1; Psa. xxii. 16, and note. The apostle here retorts upon the Judaisers the opprobrious term that they were wont to apply to the Gentiles.

evil workers. Men whose work in regard to the gospel was deceitful and wicked: ep. 2 Cor. xi. 13.

the concision. Or, the “mutilation,” not the “circumcision”; for the true circumcision is not the adherence to a mere outward rite, but the worshipping God in spirit, etc. (3): ep. Col. ii. 11. The verb corresponding to “concision” is used by the LXX to express the idolatrous mangling of the flesh, practised by the heathen, and forbidden by the Mosaic law (Ler. xxii. 5; 1 Kings xviii. 28).

4. Though I might also have, etc. This ground of “confidence,” whatever its worth, was shared by the apostle with these Judaisers.

5. Benjamin. One of the two royal tribes (1 Sam. x. 20, 21), closely associated with Judah after the Captivity (Ezra iv. 1).

a Hebrew of [the] Hebrews. The Greek indicates “a Hebrew and of Hebrew ancestry,” Ap. 6

6 in the law. Or, “in law”; in obedience to formal precepts.

blameless. Paul, before his conversion, like many young men religiously educated, seems to have lived a correct moral life, and to have observed the ritual law. But he learned the worthlessness of all this as a ground of hope and acceptance before God (8-11).

8 that I may win Christ. Or, “gain Christ”; as the very principle of my life; so that I may have the righteousness, which comes from God, and is based on faith (see Rom. i. 17, and note).

10 the power of his resurrection, etc. The thought of oneness with Christ wrought out in detail. The power of Christ’s resurrection is known experimentally by all who rest upon His finished work (Rom. iv. 25; viii. 34), who receive in Him the pledge of life immortal (John xiv. 19), who have apprehended Him as a living Saviour, and have been raised through Him from the death of sin to newness of life (Rom. vi. 8, 9). The thought of Col. iii. 1 is in the apostle’s mind.

11 if by any means, etc. The words point onward to the final redemption of the saints: ep. Rom. viii. 23. “Resurrection” here is expressed by an emphatic word not found elsewhere in the New Testament, meaning complete resurrection—not simply of, but from the dead.

12 perfect. Rather, “perfected”: ep. ver. 15. I follow after. The same word is rendered, “I press,” in ver. 14.

14 toward the mark. R.V., “toward the goal.” the high calling. Rather, “my calling from above.” Cp. Heb. iii. 1.

15. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect. “Perfect” here is different from the word in ver. 12. It means mature in knowledge and experience (ep. 1 Cor. ii. 6). Let such think and feel as I have just been urging.

If in any thing ye be otherwise minded. If in some minor points your opinions differ from mine, God Himself will set you right.

18 of whom I have told you often. During his personal ministry in Philippi; lit., “I was often telling you.”

enemies of the cross of Christ. Either by insisting on conformity to the ritual law (the Judaisers), or by making the grace of God an excuse for sin: ep. Rom. vi. 1. The context seems to point to the latter class. Lightfoot points out that the abuse of the apostle’s doctrine of free justification would be peculiarly painful to him. Hence his “weeping.”

19 who mind earthly things. See Rom. viii. 6, and note.

20 our conversation. “The state of which we are citizens.” This community is heavenly, and such should be our conduct.

21 who shall change our vile body. Rather, “who will transform (or, ‘fashion anew’) the body of our humiliation into conformity with the body of His glory”: see 1 Cor. xv. 42-49 and notes.