Philippians 3–4

³Finally, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord.

Breaking with the Past

To write the same things to you is not troublesome to me, and for you it is a source of steadfastness.

²Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of those who mutilate the flesh!^{n* 3}For it is we who are the circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God^o and boast in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the flesh^*—⁴even though I, too, have reason for confidence in the flesh.

If anyone else has reason to be confident in the flesh, I have more: ⁵circumcised on the eighth day, a member of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee;^{* 6}as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.

⁷Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ.^{* 8}More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ^{* 9}and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law but one that comes through faith in Christ,^p the righteousness from God based on faith.^{* 10}I want to know Christ^q and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, ¹¹if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead.^*

Pressing toward the Goal

¹²Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal,^r but I press on to lay hold of that for which Christ^s has laid hold of me.^{* 13}Brothers and sisters, I do not consider that I have laid hold^t of it, but one thing I have laid hold of: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,^{* 14}I press on toward the goal, toward the prize of the heavenly^u call of God in Christ Jesus.^{* 15}Let those of us, then, who are mature^v think this way, and if you think differently about anything, this, too, God will reveal to you.^{* 16}Only let us hold fast to what we have attained.^*

¹⁷Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us.^{* 18}For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears.^{* 19}Their end is destruction, their god is the belly, and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things.^{* 20}But our citizenship^w is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. ²¹He will transform the body of our humiliation^x that it may be conformed to the body of his glory,^y by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself.^*

⁴Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.

Exhortations

²I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. ³Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion,^z help these women, for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my coworkers, whose names are in the book of life.^*

⁴Rejoice^a in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.^{b* 5}Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.^{* 6}Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.^{* 7}And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.^*

⁸Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about^c these things. ⁹As for the things that you have learned and received and heard and noticed in me, do them, and the God of peace will be with you.^*

Acknowledgment of the Philippians’ Gift

¹⁰I rejoice^d in the Lord greatly that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned for me but had no opportunity to show it.^{e* 11}Not that I am referring to being in need, for I have learned to be content with whatever I have.^{* 12}I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need.^{* 13}I can do all things through him who strengthens me.^{* 14}In any case, it was kind of you to share my distress.

¹⁵You Philippians indeed know that in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone.^{* 16}For even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me help for my needs more than once. ¹⁷Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the profit^f that accumulates to your account.^{* 18}I have been paid in full and have more than enough; I am fully satisfied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.^{* 19}And my God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.^{* 20}To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.^*

Final Greetings and Benediction

²¹Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers and sisters who are with me greet you. ²²All the saints greet you, especially those of the emperor’s household.

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