←Philippians 3→BSB

• rejoice in the Lord: This theme appears again in 4:4 (see also 1:18; 2:17–18, 28; 4:10).

• the same things: The meaning here is unclear. It might refer to:

  1. the recent encouragement to rejoice in the Lord;

  2. the earlier advice to follow Christ’s example (2:1–18);

  3. Paul’s encouragement in general; or

  4. the upcoming warning about threats to their faith.

those dogs, those workers of evil: Here, Paul reverses the traditional Jewish practice of calling non-Jewish people dogs (see Mark 7:27–28). Paul directs his strongest insults at Jews who taught that non-Jewish people must be circumcised to be saved (see 2 Corinthians 11:13–15; Galatians 1:6–9; 5:1–6, 12).

Circumcision was a sign that someone belonged to God’s people (see Gen 17:10–14). But the Bible teaches that those who trust in Christ are the ones who are truly circumcised in their hearts (see Romans 2:28–29; compare Jeremiah 4:4; Ephesians 2:11; Colossians 2:11–13). Being circumcised in heart means we are changed on the inside. Our hearts are made new by God so they can love and obey him.

in the flesh: Paul uses flesh to mean relying on yourself and human effort. This is different than relying on Christ and the power given by the Spirit.

• circumcised on the eighth day: This followed Jewish law, which required boys to be circumcised on the eighth day (See Genesis 17:12; Leviticus 12:3; Luke 1:59; Luke 2:21).

• Paul belonged to the Pharisees, a Jewish group known for strictly following the law (see Acts 23:6; Acts 26:5).

• as to zeal, persecuting the church (see Acts 8:1–3; 9:1–2, 21; Galatians 1:13): Paul's actions showed his strong support for Judaism, which saw the good news about Jesus as a threat.

• Paul’s righteousness, as judged by human standards, also showed his dedication to the law (see also Galatians 1:14; for Paul’s later Christian view, compare Romans 3:23; 7:14–25).

• Paul explains the difference between his view of salvation and that of his opponents (3:2).

• Believers unite with Christ by trusting him for salvation and sharing in his life (see John 15:1–5).

• We become righteous not by following the law of Moses, but through faith in Christ. This is God's way of making us right with him: Salvation is a free gift, not something we can earn (see Romans 1:17; 3:21–26; 4:5–8; Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:8–9).

• to know Christ: By knowing Jesus Christ, a person knows and is accepted by God (compare 3:7–8; John 1:12–13; 17:3).

• Believers experience the mighty power that raised Christ from the dead, both now and in eternity (see Romans 6:4–14; 8:10–11; Colossians 3:1–4).

• the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to Him in His death: United with Christ, a believer has the privilege of experiencing his life and death (see Philippians 1:29; 2 Corinthians 4:10–12; Colossians 1:24; 1 Peter 4:13–16).

Experiencing resurrection from the dead means being saved from judgment and receiving eternal life (see Revelation 20:4–6). Paul understood God's holiness and the seriousness of the final judgment (Revelation 20:11–15). He knew he must continue to pursue Christ and salvation (compare Galatians 5:5).

Spiritually mature people (see 1 Corinthians 2:6; 3:1) agree with Paul that eternal things matter most in life (Philippians 3:12–14; compare 2 Corinthians 4:16–18).

we must live up to what we have already attained: Believers should not go backward in their faith. Their way of life should match what they have already learned about Christ.

Join one another in following my example: Paul seriously pursued Christ and the life God called him to (3:7–14; 4:9; 1 Corinthians 4:6, 16–17; 11:1; 2 Thessalonians 3:7–9). This is very different from the enemies of Christ who are described next (Philippians 3:18–19).

Many live as enemies of the cross of Christ: The identity of the enemies is not certain. They may have been:

1. Jews or Jewish Christians who were proud of their circumcision (as in 3:2) and who emphasized Judaism in a way that did not agree with the message of the cross of Christ;

2. false believers living in a worldly and immoral way (see 3:19); or

3. people who claimed to believe but rejected Paul’s teaching that the good news centers on Christ’s death on the cross (see 1 Corinthians 1:23; compare Romans 9:33; 1 Peter 2:8).

• their god is their belly: This phrase may refer to their greed, sexcual desires, or self-interest (compare Romans 16:18).

• their glory is in their shame: This most likely refers to immoral behavior, not to pride in circumcision.

• Eternal destruction is God's ultimate judgment for those who reject Christ and live selfish, sinful lives (see 2 Thessalonians 1:8–9; compare Philippians 1:28; Matthew 7:13; Romans 9:22; 1 Corinthians 1:18; 2 Thessalonians 2:10; 1 Timothy 6:9; 2 Peter 2:3, 13; Jude 1:10; Revelation 11:18).

• their minds are set on earthly things: They cannot see beyond this life (compare John 12:25; 1 John 2:15–17).

In contrast, believers know that their true home is in heaven with the Lord Jesus Christ (see Ephesians 2:19). So they focus their thoughts on heavenly things (see Colossians 3:1–2; compare 1 Corinthians 15:19; 1 Peter 2:11). They also focus their thoughts on Christ’s return (see 1 Corinthians 1:7; Titus 2:13).

• will transform our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body: When Jesus returns, he will transform believers' physical bodies. Instead of weak, aging bodies that die, they will have perfect, eternal bodies (see 1 Corinthians 15:42–54; compare Romans 8:23).

• enables Him to subject all things to Himself: This means that Jesus will have complete authority over all things. Everything in creation will be subject to his rule (see 1 Corinthians 15:24–27).