Philippians 3–4

Righteousness Through Faith in Christ

3Finally, my brothers,^{1 k}rejoice in the Lord. ^lTo write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.

²Look out for ^mthe dogs, look out for ⁿthe evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. ³For ^owe are the circumcision, ^pwho worship ^qby the Spirit of God² and ^rglory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— ^4sthough I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: ^5tcircumcised on the eighth day, ^uof the people of Israel, ^vof the tribe of Benjamin, ^ua Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, ^wa Pharisee; ^6xas to zeal, ^ya persecutor of the church; ^zas to righteousness under the law,³ blameless. ⁷But ^awhatever gain I had, ^bI counted as loss for the sake of Christ. ⁸Indeed, I count everything as loss because of ^cthe surpassing worth of ^dknowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I ^ehave suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ ⁹and be found in him, not having ^fa righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but ^gthat which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— ^10hthat I may know him and ⁱthe power of his resurrection, and ^jmay share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, ¹¹that by any means possible I may ^kattain the resurrection from the dead.

Straining Toward the Goal

¹²Not that I have already ^lobtained this or ^mam already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. ¹³Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: ⁿforgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, ¹⁴I press on toward the goal for ^othe prize of the upward ^pcall of God in Christ Jesus. ¹⁵Let those of us who are ^qmature think this way, and if in anything ^ryou think otherwise, ^sGod will reveal that also to you. ¹⁶Only ^tlet us hold true to what we have attained.

¹⁷Brothers, ^ujoin in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk ^vaccording to the example you have in us. ¹⁸For ^wmany, of whom I have often told you and now tell you ^xeven with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. ^19yTheir end is destruction, ^ztheir god is their belly, and ^athey glory in their shame, with ^bminds set on earthly things. ²⁰But ^cour citizenship is in heaven, and ^dfrom it we ^eawait a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹who will transform ^four lowly body ^gto be like his glorious body, ^hby the power that enables him even ⁱto subject all things to himself.

4Therefore, my brothers,¹ whom I love and ^jlong for, ^kmy joy and ^lcrown, ^mstand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

Exhortation, Encouragement, and Prayer

²I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to ⁿagree in the Lord. ³Yes, I ask you also, true companion,² help these women, who have labored³ side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, ^owhose names are in the book of life.

^4pRejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. ⁵Let your reasonableness⁴ be known to everyone. ^qThe Lord is at hand; ^6rdo not be anxious about anything, ^sbut in everything by prayer and supplication ^twith thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ⁷And ^uthe peace of God, ^vwhich surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

⁸Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. ⁹What you have learned⁵ and ^wreceived and heard and seen ^xin me—practice these things, and ^ythe God of peace will be with you.

God’s Provision

¹⁰I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length ^zyou have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. ¹¹Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned, in whatever situation I am, to be ^acontent. ¹²I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and ^bhunger, abundance and ^cneed. ¹³I can do all things ^dthrough him who strengthens me.

¹⁴Yet it was kind of you ^eto share⁶ my trouble. ¹⁵And you Philippians yourselves know that ^fin the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, ^gno church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. ¹⁶Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. ^17hNot that I seek the gift, but I seek ⁱthe fruit that increases to your credit.^{7 18}I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, ^jhaving received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, ^ka fragrant offering, ^la sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. ¹⁹And my God ^mwill supply every need of yours ⁿaccording to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. ²⁰To ^oour God and Father be ^pglory forever and ever. Amen.

Final Greetings

²¹Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. ^qThe brothers who are with me greet you. ^22rAll the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household.

^23sThe grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.