Philippians 3–4

Knowing Christ

3Finally, my brothers, rejoice ⁱin the Lord. To write to you again about this is no trouble for me and is a protection for you.

²Watch out for “dogs,” ^jwatch out for evil ^kworkers, watch out for those who mutilate the flesh. ³For we are the circumcision, ^lthe ones who serve by the Spirit ^mof God, boast in Christ Jesus, ⁿand do not put confidence in the flesh— ⁴although I once also had confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more: ⁵circumcised the eighth day; ^oof the nation of Israel, ^pof the tribe of Benjamin, ^qa Hebrew born of Hebrews; regarding the law, ^ra Pharisee; ⁶regarding zeal, ^spersecuting ^tthe church; regarding the righteousness that is in the law, ^ublameless. ^v

⁷But everything that was a gain to me, I have considered to be a loss because of Christ. ⁸More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value ^wof knowing Christ ^xJesus my Lord. Because of Him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them filth, so that I may gain Christ ^y9and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own from the law, ^zbut one that is through faith in Christ ^a—the righteousness from God based on faith. ^b10My goal is to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, ^cbeing conformed to His death, ^d11assuming that I will somehow reach the resurrection from among the dead.

Reaching Forward to God’s Goal

¹²Not that I have already reached the goal or am already fully mature, but I make every effort to take hold ^eof it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus. ¹³Brothers, I do not ^fconsider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind ^gand reaching forward to what is ahead, ¹⁴I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly ^hcall in Christ Jesus. ⁱ¹⁵Therefore, all who are mature should think this way. And if you think differently about anything, God will reveal ^jthis also to you. ¹⁶In any case, we should live up to whatever truth we have attained. ¹⁷Join in imitating me, brothers, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. ¹⁸For I have often told you, and now say again with tears, that many live as enemies of the cross ^kof Christ. ¹⁹Their end is destruction; their god is their stomach; their glory ^lis in their shame. They are focused on earthly things, ²⁰but our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. ²¹He will transform the body of our humble condition into the likeness of His glorious ^mbody, ⁿby the power that enables Him to subject everything to Himself.

Practical Counsel

4So then, my brothers, you are dearly loved and longed for—my joy and crown. ^oIn this manner stand firm ^pin the Lord, dear friends. ²I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to agree in the Lord. ³Yes, I also ask you, true partner, ^qto help these women who have contended for the gospel at my side, along with Clement and the rest of my coworkers whose names are in the book of life. ⁴Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. ^r6Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. ⁷And the peace of God, which surpasses ^severy thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. ^t

⁸Finally brothers, whatever is true, ^uwhatever is honorable, ^vwhatever is just, ^wwhatever is pure, ^xwhatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence ^yand if there is any praise—dwell on these things. ⁹Do what you have learned and received ^zand heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

Appreciation of Support

¹⁰I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that once again ^ayou renewed your care for me. ^bYou were, in fact, concerned about me but lacked the opportunity to show it. ¹¹I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. ¹²I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. ^cIn any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. ¹³I am able to do all things through Him ^dwho strengthens me. ^e14Still, you did well by sharing with me in my hardship.

¹⁵And you Philippians ^fknow that in the early days of the gospel, ^gwhen I left Macedonia, ^hno church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone. ¹⁶For even in Thessalonica ⁱyou sent gifts for my need ^jseveral times. ¹⁷Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the profit ^klthat is increasing to your account. ¹⁸But I have received everything in full, ^mand I have an abundance. I am fully supplied, having received from Epaphroditus ⁿwhat you provided—a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing ^oto God. ¹⁹And my God ^pwill supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. ²⁰Now to our God and Father ^qbe glory forever and ever. ^rAmen. ^s

Final Greetings

²¹Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. Those brothers who are with me greet you. ²²All the saints greet you, but especially those from Caesar’s ^thousehold. ^u23The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. ^vw