Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe. FINALLY, [ to (G3588) loipon (G3063)] - or (not time, but a transition to another general subject) "Furthermore" (Bengel), as in 1 Thessalonians 4:1; 'as to what remai... [ Continue Reading ]
Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. BEWARE, [ blepete (G991)] - 'Have your eye on' so as to beware of. Contrast "mark," namely, so as to follow (Philippians 3:17). DOGS, [ tous (G3588) kunas (G2965)] - 'the dogs;' namely, those impure persons "of whom I have told yo... [ Continue Reading ]
For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. 'We are the (real) circumcision (Romans 2:25). WORSHIP GOD IN THE SPIRIT. So C, Vulgate. But 'Aleph (') A B G read 'worship by the Spirit of God.' The Spirit is the inf... [ Continue Reading ]
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 (emphatic) possess materials of confidence even in the flesh' (as well as in Christ); literally 'I, having,' etc., but not using. I MORE - I have mor... [ Continue Reading ]
Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; In three particulars he 'might have confidence in the flesh:' (1) His pure Jewish blood (2 Corinthians 11:22); (2) His legal preciseness and high status; (3)... [ Continue Reading ]
Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. CONCERNING - `As touching zeal' (cf. Acts 22:3; Acts 26:9). Sad irony. Even in this mournful Judaist zeal, he can, if they will, set himself on a level with them (Ellicott) (Galatians 1:14). BLAM... [ Continue Reading ]
But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. GAIN, [ kerdee (G2771)] - 'gains:' all possible advantages of outward status which he heretofore enjoyed. I COUNTED, [ heegeemai (G2233)] - 'I have counted for Christ's sake loss.' Not plural, as 'gains;' for he counts them all... [ Continue Reading ]
Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, YEA, DOUBTLESS, [ alla (G235) menoun (G3304) (A adds: ge (G1065)) kai (G2532)] - 'nay mo... [ Continue Reading ]
And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: BE FOUND IN HIM (Ephesians 2:6) - as the element of my life, at His coming again. Once lost, I have been "found;" and I hope to... [ Continue Reading ]
That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; THAT I MAY KNOW HIM - experimentally; not merely know the doctrine concerning Him: the aim of the "righteousness" (). This verse resumes and explains "the excellen... [ Continue Reading ]
If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. IF BY ANY MEANS - not implying uncertainty of the issue, But the earnestness of the struggle (1 Corinthians 9:25; 1 Corinthians 9:27), the need of jealous self-watchfulness (1 Corinthians 10:12), and indefatigable use of means at... [ Continue Reading ]
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,' etc. (let me not be misunderstood as saying that, etc.) ATTAINED - `obtained;' namely, a perfect knowledge of Christ... [ Continue Reading ]
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 COUNT NOT MYSELF - whatever others count as to themselves. He who counts himself perfect must deceive himself (1 John 1:8)... [ Continue Reading ]
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. HIGH CALLING, [ tees (G3588) anoo (G507) kleeseoos (G2821)] - 'the calling that is above' (Galatians 4:26; Colossians 3:1); the "heavenly calling" (Hebrews 3:1). "The prize" is the "crown of righteousness" (2 Timoth... [ Continue Reading ]
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. THEREFORE - resuming . PERFECT - full-grown (no longer 'babes') in the Christian life (, 'worshipping God in the Spirit, having no confidence in the flesh') ()... [ Continue Reading ]
Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. The expectation of further (Philippians 3:15), 'revelation' is not to make you less careful in walking according to whatever knowledge and perfection you have already attained. God reveals mo... [ Continue Reading ]
Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. BE [ ginesthe (G1096), 'become'] FOLLOWERS, [ summimeetai (G4831)] - 'imitators together. OF ME - as I am of Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1). Imitate me no further than as I imitate Christ. Bengel's... [ Continue Reading ]
(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: MANY WALK. Follow not evildoers, because they are "many" (). Their numbers are rather a presumption against their being Christ's "little flock" (). OFTEN. There is ne... [ Continue Reading ]
Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) END - fixed doom (2 Corinthians 11:15). Contrast Romans 6:22. DESTRUCTION - everlasting, at Christ's coming (Philippians 1:28): contrast to "Saviour" (Philippians 3:20). WHOSE GOD... [ Continue Reading ]
For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: OUR CONVERSATION - our life as citizens [ politeuma (G4175), from politeuomai (G4176): Philippians 1:27; Acts 23:1 ]. The antithesis to Philippians 3:19 favours this translation, rather than 'our c... [ Continue Reading ]
Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. [ Metascheematisei (G3345) to (G3588) sooma (G4983) tees (G3588) tapeinooseoos (G5014)] 'Who shall transfigure the body of our... [ Continue Reading ]