Philippians 3–4

3RD CHAPTER

Run Straight toward the Goal

¹Now then, brothers and sisters, be joyful in the Lord. It’s no trouble for me to write the same things to you, and it’s for your safety. ²Beware of dogs! Beware of those who do evil things. Beware of those who insist on circumcision. ³We are the ⸤true⸥ circumcised people ⸤of God⸥ because we serve God’s Spirit and take pride in Christ Jesus. We don’t place any confidence in physical things, ⁴although I could have confidence in my physical qualifications. If anyone else thinks that he can trust in something physical, I can claim even more. ⁵I was circumcised on the eighth day. I’m a descendant of Israel. I’m from the tribe of Benjamin. I’m a pure-blooded Hebrew. When it comes to following Jewish laws, I was a Pharisee. ⁶When it comes to being enthusiastic, I was a persecutor of the church. When it comes to winning God’s approval by obeying Jewish laws, I was perfect. 

⁷These things that I once considered valuable, I now consider worthless for Christ. ⁸It’s far more than that! I consider everything else worthless because I’m much better off knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. It’s because of him that I think of everything as worthless. I threw it all away in order to gain Christ ⁹and to have a relationship with him. This means that I didn’t receive God’s approval by obeying his laws. The opposite is true! I have God’s approval through faith in Christ. This is the approval that comes from God and is based on faith ¹⁰that knows Christ. Faith knows the power that his coming back to life gives and what it means to share his suffering. In this way I’m becoming like him in his death, ¹¹with the confidence that I’ll come back to life from the dead. 

¹²It’s not that I’ve already reached the goal or have already completed the course. But I run to win that which Jesus Christ has already won for me. ¹³Brothers and sisters, I can’t consider myself a winner yet. This is what I do: I don’t look back, I lengthen my stride, and ¹⁴I run straight toward the goal to win the prize that God’s heavenly call offers in Christ Jesus. 

¹⁵Whoever has a mature faith should think this way. And if you think differently, God will show you how to think. ¹⁶However, we should be guided by what we have learned so far. 

Imitate Me

¹⁷Brothers and sisters, imitate me, and pay attention to those who live by the example we have given you. ¹⁸I have often told you, and now tell you with tears in my eyes, that many live as the enemies of the cross of Christ. ¹⁹In the end they will be destroyed. Their own emotions are their god, and they take pride in the shameful things they do. Their minds are set on worldly things. ²⁰We, however, are citizens of heaven. We look forward to the Lord Jesus Christ coming from heaven as our Savior. ²¹Through his power to bring everything under his authority, he will change our humble bodies and make them like his glorified body. 

4TH CHAPTER

Paul’s Advice

¹So, brothers and sisters, I love you and miss you. You are my joy and my crown. Therefore, dear friends, keep your relationship with the Lord firm! 

²I encourage both Euodia and Syntyche to have the attitude the Lord wants them to have. ³Yes, I also ask you, Syzugus, my true partner, to help these women. They fought beside me to spread the Good News along with Clement and the rest of my coworkers, whose names are in the Book of Life. 

Always Be Joyful

⁴Always be joyful in the Lord! I’ll say it again: Be joyful! ⁵Let everyone know how considerate you are. The Lord is near. ⁶Never worry about anything. But in every situation let God know what you need in prayers and requests while giving thanks. ⁷Then God’s peace, which goes beyond anything we can imagine, will guard your thoughts and emotions through Christ Jesus. 

⁸Finally, brothers and sisters, keep your thoughts on whatever is right or deserves praise: things that are true, honorable, fair, pure, acceptable, or commendable. ⁹Practice what you’ve learned and received from me, what you heard and saw me do. Then the God who gives this peace will be with you. 

Thanks for Your Gifts

¹⁰The Lord has filled me with joy because you again showed interest in me. You were interested but did not have an opportunity to show it. ¹¹I’m not saying this because I’m in any need. I’ve learned to be content in whatever situation I’m in. ¹²I know how to live in poverty or prosperity. No matter what the situation, I’ve learned the secret of how to live when I’m full or when I’m hungry, when I have too much or when I have too little. ¹³I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me. ¹⁴Nevertheless, it was kind of you to share my troubles. 

¹⁵You Philippians also know that in the early days, when I left the province of Macedonia to spread the Good News, you were the only church to share your money with me. You gave me what I needed, and you received what I gave you. ¹⁶Even while I was in Thessalonica, you provided for my needs twice. ¹⁷It’s not that I’m looking for a gift. The opposite is true. I’m looking for your resources to increase. ¹⁸You have paid me in full, and I have more than enough. Now that Epaphroditus has brought me your gifts, you have filled my needs. Your gifts are a soothing aroma, a sacrifice that God accepts and with which he is pleased. ¹⁹My God will richly fill your every need in a glorious way through Christ Jesus. ²⁰Glory belongs to our God and Father forever! Amen. 

²¹Greet everyone who believes in Christ Jesus. The brothers and sisters who are with me send greetings to you. ²²All God’s people here, especially those in the emperor’s palace, greet you. ²³May the good will^aof our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.