Philippians 3–4

No Confidence in the Flesh

3Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again,^p and it is a safeguard for you. ²Watch out for those dogs,^q those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. ³For it is we who are the circumcision,^r we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus,^s and who put no confidence in the flesh—⁴though I myself have reasons for such confidence.^t

If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: ⁵circumcised^u on the eighth day, of the people of Israel,^v of the tribe of Benjamin,^w a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee;^{x 6}as for zeal,^y persecuting the church;^z as for righteousness based on the law,^a faultless.

⁷But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss^b for the sake of Christ. ⁸What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing^c Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ^{d 9}and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law,^e but that which is through faith in^a Christ—the righteousness^f that comes from God on the basis of faith.^{g 10}I want to know^h Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings,ⁱ becoming like him in his death,^{j 11}and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection^k from the dead.

¹²Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal,^l but I press on to take hold^m of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.^{n 13}Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind^o and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴I press on^p toward the goal to win the prize^q for which God has called^r me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Following Paul’s Example

¹⁵All of us, then, who are mature^s should take such a view of things.^t And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.^{u 16}Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

¹⁷Join together in following my example,^v brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.^{w 18}For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears,^x many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.^{y 19}Their destiny^z is destruction, their god is their stomach,^a and their glory is in their shame.^b Their mind is set on earthly things.^{c 20}But our citizenship^d is in heaven.^e And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,^{f 21}who, by the power^g that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies^h so that they will be like his glorious body.ⁱ

Closing Appeal for Steadfastness and Unity

4Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for,^j my joy and crown, stand firm^k in the Lord in this way, dear friends!

²I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind^l in the Lord. ³Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers,^m whose names are in the book of life.ⁿ

Final Exhortations

⁴Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!^{o 5}Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.^{p 6}Do not be anxious about anything,^q but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.^{r 7}And the peace of God,^s which transcends all understanding,^t will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

⁸Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice.^u And the God of peace^v will be with you.

Thanks for Their Gifts

¹⁰I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me.^w Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. ¹¹I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content^x whatever the circumstances. ¹²I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry,^y whether living in plenty or in want.^{z 13}I can do all this through him who gives me strength.^a

¹⁴Yet it was good of you to share^b in my troubles. ¹⁵Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days^c of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia,^d not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only;^{e 16}for even when I was in Thessalonica,^f you sent me aid more than once when I was in need.^{g 17}Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account.^{h 18}I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditusⁱ the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant^j offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. ¹⁹And my God will meet all your needs^k according to the riches of his glory^l in Christ Jesus.

²⁰To our God and Father^m be glory for ever and ever. Amen.ⁿ

Final Greetings

²¹Greet all God’s people in Christ Jesus. The brothers and sisters who are with me^o send greetings. ²²All God’s people^p here send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household.

²³The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ^q be with your spirit.^r Amen.^a