Stand Firm in the Lord! – Philippians 3:1-4:1
3 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. For me it is not tedious to write the same things to you, and for you it is a safeguard. (2) Beware of the dogs, beware of those who are working evil, beware of those who mutilate the flesh. (3) We are the true circumcision, we who offer worship by the Spirit of God and rejoice with confidence in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh—(4) although I certainly have reason for confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks that he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more reason. (5) I was circumcised on the eighth day, I come from the nation of Israel, I am of the tribe of Benjamin, I am a pure Hebrew, with regard to the law, I was a Pharisee. (6) As far as zeal is concerned, I persecuted the church. With regard to the righteousness that a man can attain by the law, I had become blameless.
(7) However, whatever things were gain to me, these things I now regard as loss on account of Christ. (8) But much more than that, I regard all things as loss on account of the all-surpassing value of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, because of whom I have suffered the loss of all things. Indeed, I regard all such things as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ, (9) and be found in him—not having my own righteousness that is derived from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God received by faith—(10) so that I may know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming conformed to his death, (11) that I may in some way attain the resurrection from the dead.
(12) It is not that I have already obtained this or have already been made perfect; rather, I press on so that I may take hold of that for which also I have been taken hold of by Christ. (13) Brothers, I do not regard myself as having already taken hold of these things; rather, I do this one thing: forgetting the things that are behind and reaching for the things that lie ahead, (14) press on to the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
(15) All of us who are mature should have this attitude; and if you have any different attitude, God will certainly reveal that to you. (16) Only let us live in agreement with the level of maturity we have attained. (17) Join in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who are walking in accordance with the model you have in us. (18) As I have often told you, and even now tell you with tears, many walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. (19) Their destiny is perdition, their god is their own appetites,* and they glory in their shameful conduct. They set their minds on earthly things.
(20) But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. (21) By the power that enables him to bring everything into submission to himself, he will transform the body belonging to the present state of our humiliation, so that it may be conformed to his glorified body. 4 Therefore, my beloved brothers for whom I yearn, my joy and my crown, so stand firm in the Lord, beloved.
*Literally, “their god is the belly”
Now proceed to the next section of this study, entitled, Exploring the Passage.
