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Philippians Chapter 3

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) 21 Verses

What is Philippians 3 about?

The epistle of joy — contentment in every circumstance, humility modeled on Christ's kenosis, and the peace that surpasses understanding. The complete chapter text below provides the immediate literary context for study.

Text — American Standard Version (1901)

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. For original Hebrew/Greek interlinear text, open in BibleWord.ai.
1Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not irksome, but for you it is safe.
2Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the concision:
3for we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God, and glory in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh:
4though I myself might have confidence even in the flesh: if any other man thinketh to have confidence in the flesh, I yet more:
5circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
6as touching zeal, persecuting the church; as touching the righteousness which is in the law, found blameless.
7Howbeit what things were gain to me, these have I counted loss for Christ.
8Yea verily, and I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but refuse, that I may gain Christ,
9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of mine own, [even] that which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith:
10that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming conformed unto his death;
11if by any means I may attain unto the resurrection from the dead.
12Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect: but I press on, if so be that I may lay hold on that for which also I was laid hold on by Christ Jesus.
13Brethren, I could not myself yet to have laid hold: but one thing [I do], forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before,
14I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
15Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, be thus minded: and if in anything ye are otherwise minded, this also shall God reveal unto you:
16only, whereunto we have attained, by that same [rule] let us walk.
17Brethren, be ye imitators together of me, and mark them that so walk even as ye have us for an ensample.
18For many walk, of whom I told you often, and now tell you even weeping, [that they are] the enemies of the cross of Christ:
19whose end is perdition, whose god is the belly, and [whose] glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.
20For our citizenship is in heaven; whence also we wait for a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
21who shall fashion anew the body of our humiliation, [that it may be] conformed to the body of his glory, according to the working whereby he is able even to subject all things unto himself.
← Philippians 2Philippians 4 →

What do historical commentaries say about this chapter?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · on verse 1
“Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord, etc.] The Syriac version reads, “in our Lord”, i.e. Christ. The apostle seems as if he was about to conclude his epistle; and therefore, as if he was taking his farewell of this church, and giving his last advice to them, he exhorts them in a most affectionate manner, as his dear brethren in a spiritual relation, that they would make Christ their chief joy; that whatever sorrow they might have on account of his bonds, or the sickness of Epaphroditus, yet, he observes they had reason to rejoice in their Lord and Saviour; and however, it might be matter of rejoicing to…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“WARNING AGAINST JUDAIZERS: HE HAS GREATER CAUSE THAN THEY TO TRUST IN LEGAL RIGHTEOUSNESS, BUT RENOUNCED IT FOR CHRIST'S RIGHTEOUSNESS, IN WHICH HE PRESSES AFTER PERFECTION: WARNING AGAINST CARNAL PERSONS: CONTRAST OF THE BELIEVER'S LIFE AND HOPE. (Phi. 3:1-21) Finally--rather, not with the notion of time, but making a transition to another general subject, "Furthermore" [BENGEL and WAHL] as in Th1 4:1. Literally, "As to what remains," &c. It is often used at the conclusion of Epistles for "finally" (Eph 6:10; Th2 3:1). But it is not restricted to this meaning, as ALFORD thinks, supposing that Paul used it here…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord - That is, in the Lord Jesus; see Philippians 3:3; compare the Acts 1:24 note, and 1 Thessalonians 5:16 note. The idea here is, that it is the duty of Christians to rejoice in the Lord Jesus Christ. This duty implies the following things: (1) They should rejoice that they have such a Saviour. People everywhere have felt the need of a Saviour, and to us it should be a subject of unfeigned joy that one has been provided for us. When we think of our sins, we may now rejoice that there is one who can deliver us from them; when we think of the worth of the soul, we may rejoice…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · on verse 1
“The same things - Which you have heard before. Philippians 3:2”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · on verse 1
“3:1 rejoice in the Lord: This theme is resumed in 4:4 (see also 1:18; 2:17-18, 28; 4:10). • The phrase these things (literally the same things) is ambiguous: it may refer to (1) the immediately preceding encouragement to rejoice in the Lord; (2) the earlier encouragement to follow Christ’s example (2:1-18); (3) Paul’s exhortation in general; or (4) the following warning about threats to their faith.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · on verse 1
“Finally: Phi 4:8; Co2 13:11; Eph 6:10; Th1 4:1 \*Gr: Pe1 3:8 rejoice: Phi 3:3, Phi 4:4; Deu 12:18, Deu 16:11; Sa1 2:1; Ch1 15:28, Ch1 16:10, Ch1 16:31-33, Ch1 29:22; Ch2 30:26, Ch2 30:27; Neh 8:10; Job 22:26; Psa 5:11, Psa 32:11, Psa 33:1, Psa 37:4, Psa 42:4; Psa 97:1, Psa 100:1, Psa 100:2, Psa 149:2; Isa 12:2, Isa 12:3, Isa 41:16, Isa 61:10, Isa 65:14, Isa 66:11, Isa 66:12; Joe 2:23; Hab 3:17, Hab 3:18; Zep 3:14, Zep 3:17; Zac 10:7; Mat 5:12; Luk 1:47; Rom 5:2, Rom 5:3, Rom 5:11; Th1 5:16; Jam 1:2; Pe1 1:6-8, Pe1 4:13 To write: Phi 2:17, Phi 2:18; Pe2 1:12-15, Pe2 3:1 Philippians 3:2”
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