Philippians 3:18

“For many walk, etc.] tyaynrja, “otherwise”, as the Syriac version adds; and which truly explains the words, and gives the sense; they walked not as the apostle and his followers; they walked as men, as carnal men, (<460303>1 Corinthians 3:3), according to the course of the world, after their ungodly lusts, (<490202>Ephesians 2:2,3); or according to the rites and ceremonies of the Mosaic dispensation, and not uprightly, and according to the truth of the Gospel: and there were many that walked so; the road both of profaneness and error is a broad one, and many walk therein, which makes it the more dangerous; the examples of many have great force, though a multitude is not to be followed to do…”

“many walk--in such a manner. Follow not evildoers, because they are "many" (Exo 23:2). Their numbers are rather a presumption against their being Christ's "little flock" (Luk 12:32). often--There is need of constant warning. weeping-- (Rom 9:2). A hard tone in speaking of the inconsistencies of professors is the very opposite of Paul's spirit, and David's (Psa 119:136), and Jeremiah's (Jer 13:17). The Lord and His apostles, at the same time, speak more strongly against empty professors (as the Pharisees), than against open scoffers. enemies of the cross of Christ--in their practice, not in doctrine (Gal 6:14; Heb 6:6; Heb 10:29).”

“For many walk - Many live, the Christian life being often in the Scriptures compared with a journey. In order to induce them to imitate those who were the most holy, the apostle says that there were many, even in the church, whom it would not be safe for them to imitate. He evidently here refers mainly to the church at Philippi, though it may be that he meant to make the declaration general, and to say that the same thing existed in other churches. There has not probably been any time yet in the Christian church when the same thing might not be said. Of whom I have told you often - When he preached in Philippi. Paul was not afraid to speak of church members when they did wrong, and to warn…”

“Weeping - As he wrote. Enemies of the cross of Christ - Such are all cowardly, all shamefaced, all delicate Christians. Philippians 3:19”

“3:18 The identity of the enemies is not known; they might have been (1) Jews or Jewish Christians proud of their circumcision (as in 3:2), whose emphasis on observant Judaism contradicted the cross of Christ; (2) pseudo-believers living a worldly, immoral life (cp. 3:19); or (3) professing believers who had rejected Paul’s cross-centered view of the Good News. Christ’s crucifixion as a criminal was scandalous and offensive to many (see 1 Cor 1:23; cp. Rom 9:33; 1 Pet 2:8).”

“many: Isa 8:11; Dan 4:37; Gal 2:14; Eph 4:17; Th2 3:11; Pe2 2:10; Jde 1:13 I have: Co1 6:9; Gal 5:21; Eph 5:5, Eph 5:6; Th1 4:6 even: Phi 1:4; Psa 119:136; Jer 9:1, Jer 13:17; Luk 19:41; Act 20:19, Act 20:30, Act 20:31; Rom 9:2; Co2 2:4, Co2 11:29 enemies: Phi 1:15, Phi 1:16; Co1 1:18; Gal 1:7, Gal 2:21, Gal 6:12 Philippians 3:19”