No Confidence in the Flesh; Righteousness in Christ
Philippians 3:1-11
Phil.3.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Το: ART,nom,sg,n
- λοιπον: ADJ,acc,sg,n
- αδελφοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- χαιρετε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
- εν: PREP
- κυριω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- αυτα: PRON,acc,pl,n
- γραφειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- εμοι: PRON,dat,sg,1
- μεν: PART
- ουκ: PART,neg
- οκνηρον: ADJ,acc,sg,neut
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- δε: CONJ
- ασφαλες: ADJ,acc,sg,neut
Parallels
- Phil.4.4 (verbal): Shares the same exhortation to rejoice in the Lord (Phil 3:1’s χαίρετε ἐν κυρίῳ echoed in Phil 4:4’s 'Rejoice in the Lord always').
- 1 Thess.5.16 (thematic): A parallel short exhortation to continual joy ('Rejoice always'), matching the theme of persistent joy in Paul’s letters.
- 2 Cor.13.11 (verbal): Paul’s closing admonition includes 'Finally, brothers, rejoice' (χαίρετε), a near verbal parallel in tone and wording to Phil 3:1.
- 1 Cor.4.14 (thematic): Similar motive-language about writing: Paul explains his letters are not meant to shame but to instruct/benefit the recipients, echoing Phil 3:1’s 'to write the same things... not tedious for me but safe for you.'
- 2 Cor.2.4 (thematic): Paul speaks of writing out of concern and emotional investment ('I wrote to you out of much affliction and anguish of heart, with many tears'), paralleling Phil 3:1’s stress on the pastoral purpose and care behind his repeated writing.
Alternative generated candidates
- Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is a safeguard for you.
- Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no burden to me, and for you it is a safeguard.
Phil.3.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Βλεπετε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- κυνας: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- βλεπετε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- κακους: ADJ,acc,pl,m
- εργατας: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- βλεπετε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- κατατομην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
Parallels
- Galatians 5:2-12 (verbal): Paul attacks the Judaizing insistence on circumcision and uses violent language about mutilation; closely parallels Phil 3:2's 'beware the concision' and the same polemical opponents.
- Romans 2:28-29 (thematic): Argues that true circumcision is inward (a matter of the heart), countering the Judaizers' emphasis on physical circumcision implied in Phil 3:2.
- Matthew 7:15 (thematic): General warning to 'beware of false prophets' (wolves in sheep's clothing); thematically parallels Paul's admonition to watch out for dangerous, deceptive teachers.
- Philippians 3:18-19 (structural): Within the same chapter Paul further describes those who walk as 'enemies of the cross'—the same group he labels 'dogs' and 'evil workers' in v.2, confirming the polemical target.
Alternative generated candidates
- Beware of dogs; beware of evildoers; beware of those who insist on circumcision.
- Watch out for the dogs; watch out for evildoers; watch out for those who mutilate the flesh.
Phil.3.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ημεις: PRON,nom,pl,1
- γαρ: PART
- εσμεν: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,pl
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- περιτομη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- πνευματι: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- λατρευοντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- καυχωμενοι: VERB,pres,mid,part,nom,pl,m
- εν: PREP
- Χριστω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εν: PREP
- σαρκι: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- πεποιθοτες: VERB,perf,act,part,nom,pl,m
Parallels
- Romans 2:28-29 (verbal): Distinguishes true identity inwardly and defines circumcision as 'of the heart' in the Spirit—language and concept echoed in Phil 3:3's 'we are the circumcision' and 'in the Spirit of God.'
- Galatians 5:6 (verbal): Declares that 'neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts' but faith working through love—parallels Paul's devaluation of physical circumcision and emphasis on Spirit/faith in Phil 3:3.
- Colossians 2:11-12 (allusion): Speaks of a spiritual 'circumcision' accomplished in Christ (putting off the body of flesh) and baptismal union with him—an interpretive background to Paul’s claim that true circumcision is spiritual.
- Galatians 2:16 (thematic): Asserts that people are not justified by works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ—relates to Phil 3:3's rejection of confidence 'in the flesh' and stress on Christ-centered trust.
- Galatians 3:3 (thematic): Contrasts beginning by the Spirit with being perfected by the flesh—echoes Phil 3:3's opposition between worship/identity 'by the Spirit' and confidence in the flesh.
Alternative generated candidates
- For we are the true circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God, glory in Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh.
- For we are the circumcision—those who worship by the Spirit of God, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh.
Phil.3.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- καιπερ: PART
- εγω: PRON,nom,sg,1
- εχων: VERB,pres,act,ptc,nom,sg,m
- πεποιθησιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- εν: PREP
- σαρκι: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- Ει: PART
- τις: PRON,nom,sg,?
- δοκει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- αλλος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- πεποιθεναι: VERB,perf,act,inf
- εν: PREP
- σαρκι: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- εγω: PRON,nom,sg,1
- μαλλον·: ADV
Parallels
- Galatians 6:12-13 (verbal): Explicit use of 'boasting in the flesh' (circumcision) matches Paul's concern with confidence in the flesh.
- 2 Corinthians 10:17-18 (verbal): Contrasts human boasting with boasting in the Lord—direct verbal parallel to Paul's rejection of confidence in the flesh.
- 1 Corinthians 4:7 (thematic): Challenges grounds for boasting: 'What do you have that you did not receive?'—undercuts claims to confidence based on human status.
- Philippians 3:7-8 (structural): Immediate continuation in the same context where Paul declares his former gains in the flesh to be loss/rubbish compared with Christ—direct structural contrast to v.4.
- 1 Corinthians 1:29-31 (thematic): Asserts that God excludes human boasting so that, if anyone boasts, it is in the Lord—theological parallel to rejecting confidence in the flesh.
Alternative generated candidates
- Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he can place confidence in the flesh, I have more reason.
- Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more—
Phil.3.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- περιτομη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- οκταημερος: ADJ,nom,sg,f
- εκ: PREP
- γενους: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- Ισραηλ: NOUN,voc,sg,m
- φυλης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- Βενιαμιν: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- Εβραιος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- εξ: PREP
- Εβραιων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- κατα: PREP
- νομον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- Φαρισαιος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
Parallels
- Romans 11:1 (verbal): Paul affirms his identity as an Israelite and explicitly names the tribe of Benjamin, echoing Phil 3:5's ethnic/tribal claim.
- Acts 22:3 (verbal): Paul recounts his Jewish upbringing and strict Pharisaic training ('educated at the feet of Gamaliel,' 'strictly according to the law'), paralleling 'Hebrew of Hebrews' and 'a Pharisee.'
- 2 Corinthians 11:22 (verbal): Paul rhetorically affirms 'Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I,' repeating the same Hebraic/Israelite claims found in Phil 3:5.
- Luke 2:21 (verbal): Notes Jesus' circumcision 'on the eighth day,' paralleling the specific claim in Phil 3:5 that Paul was 'circumcised on the eighth day.'
- Galatians 1:14 (thematic): Paul describes advancing in Judaism and being zealous for ancestral traditions, thematically supporting the Pharisaic and law‑observant credentials asserted in Phil 3:5.
Alternative generated candidates
- Circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee;
- circumcised the eighth day; of Israel’s stock, of the tribe of Benjamin; a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee;
Phil.3.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- κατα: PREP
- ζηλος: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- διωκων: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,sg,m
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- εκκλησιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- κατα: PREP
- δικαιοσυνην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- εν: PREP
- νομω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- γενομενος: VERB,aor,mid,ptc,nom,sg,m
- αμεμπτος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
Parallels
- Galatians 1:13-14 (verbal): Paul describes his former life: he violently persecuted the church and advanced in Judaism—language and themes closely parallel Phil 3:6's 'zeal persecuting the church' and 'righteousness under the law, blameless.'
- Acts 26:9-11 (thematic): Paul's first‑person account of persecuting Christians (punishing and imprisoning, casting votes against) corresponds thematically to Phil 3:6's claim of zealous persecution of the church.
- 1 Corinthians 15:9 (verbal): Paul calls himself the least of the apostles because he persecuted the church of God—directly echoes the admission in Phil 3:6 about persecuting the church.
- Philippians 3:4-5 (structural): Immediate context listing Paul's Jewish credentials (circumcision, tribe, Pharisee, zeal) provides the broader structural frame for the statement in 3:6 about zeal and righteousness under the law.
Alternative generated candidates
- as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.
- as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.
Phil.3.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Αλλα: CONJ
- ατινα: PRON,nom,pl,n
- ην: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- μοι: PRON,dat,sg,1
- κερδη: NOUN,nom,pl,n
- ταυτα: PRON,acc,pl,n
- ηγημαι: VERB,perf,mid/pss,ind,1,sg
- δια: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- Χριστον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- ζημιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
Parallels
- Philippians 3:8 (verbal): Immediate continuation of v.7: Paul amplifies the same thought—what were gains he now counts as loss/rubbish for the surpassing worth of knowing Christ.
- 1 Corinthians 2:2 (verbal): Paul's resolution to focus on Christ alone ('I resolved to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified') parallels the decision to set aside former personal achievements as valueless compared with Christ.
- Matthew 16:24-26 (thematic): Jesus' call to deny oneself, take up the cross, and the paradox of losing life to save it echoes the theme of renouncing worldly advantage for the sake of Christ.
- Galatians 6:14 (thematic): Paul's refusal to boast in anything except the cross of Christ resonates with counting former 'gains' as loss—boasting and standing are revalued in light of Christ's cross.
Alternative generated candidates
- But whatever gains I once had, I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.
- But whatever gains I once had, I have come to count as loss for the sake of Christ.
Phil.3.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- αλλα: CONJ
- μενουνγε: PART
- και: CONJ
- ηγουμαι: VERB,pres,mp,ind,1,sg
- παντα: ADJ,nom,pl,n
- ζημιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ειναι: VERB,pres,act,inf
- δια: PREP
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- υπερεχον: ADJ,acc,sg,n
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- γνωσεως: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- Χριστου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- κυριου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- δι᾽ον: PRON,gen,pl,m
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- παντα: ADJ,nom,pl,n
- εζημιωθην: VERB,aor,pass,ind,1,sg
- και: CONJ
- ηγουμαι: VERB,pres,mp,ind,1,sg
- σκυβαλα: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- ινα: CONJ
- Χριστον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- κερδησω: VERB,aor,act,subj,1,sg
Parallels
- Philippians 3:7 (structural): Immediate context and near-verbatim parallel: Paul’s earlier statement that whatever was gain to him he now counts as loss for Christ, continued in 3:8.
- 1 Corinthians 2:2 (verbal): Paul’s single-minded emphasis on Christ (and him crucified) parallels the priority of knowing/gaining Christ expressed in Phil 3:8.
- Galatians 6:14 (thematic): Paul renounces boasting in anything except the cross of Christ, echoing the theme of counting all earthly advantages as loss compared to Christ.
- Mark 8:35–37 (thematic): Jesus’ teaching that one must lose/forfeit life to truly gain it parallels the gain-versus-loss motif in Phil 3:8 (counting losses to gain Christ).
- Acts 20:24 (thematic): Paul’s declaration that he considers his life and gains as of no account compared with finishing his ministry for Christ resonates with Phil 3:8’s valuation of Christ above all else.
Alternative generated candidates
- Indeed I count everything to be loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ.
- Indeed I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ
Phil.3.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ευρεθω: VERB,aor,pass,subj,1,sg
- εν: PREP
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- μη: PART
- εχων: VERB,pres,act,ptc,nom,sg,m
- εμην: PRON,acc,sg,1
- δικαιοσυνην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- εκ: PREP
- νομου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- αλλα: CONJ
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- δια: PREP
- πιστεως: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- Χριστου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- εκ: PREP
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- δικαιοσυνην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- επι: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- πιστει: NOUN,dat,sg,fem
Parallels
- Romans 3:21-24 (verbal): Speaks of the ‘righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ’ and justification apart from the works of the law—language and theology closely parallel to Phil 3:9.
- Galatians 2:16 (verbal): Affirms that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ—directly echoes Phil 3:9’s contrast between law‑based righteousness and righteousness through faith.
- Galatians 3:11 (allusion): Declares that ‘the righteous shall live by faith,’ using the OT axiom to ground the argument that righteousness is by faith rather than law, a theme central to Phil 3:9.
- Habakkuk 2:4 (quotation): OT source of the maxim ‘the righteous shall live by his faith’ which underlies Pauline claims about faith‑based righteousness reflected in Phil 3:9.
- Titus 3:5-7 (thematic): Emphasizes salvation/justification not by works but by God’s mercy and grace, resulting in being declared righteous—thematic parallel to Phil 3:9’s refusal of law‑righteousness in favor of God’s righteousness given through faith.
Alternative generated candidates
- And be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ—the righteousness from God by faith.
- and be found in him—not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God based on faith.
Phil.3.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- γνωναι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- δυναμιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- αναστασεως: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- κοινωνιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- παθηματων: NOUN,gen,pl,n
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- συμμορφιζομενος: VERB,pres,mid/pass,part,nom,sg,m
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- θανατω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Romans 6:4-5 (structural): Speaks of baptism into Christ’s death and being raised to new life—parallels participation in Christ’s death and the power of his resurrection that Paul longs to know.
- Galatians 2:20 (verbal): “I have been crucified with Christ” echoes Paul’s desire to be conformed to Christ’s death and to live by faith in the Son—directly related to fellowship with his sufferings.
- Colossians 2:12 (verbal): Describes being buried and raised with Christ through baptism and faith, paralleling the emphasis on sharing in Christ’s death and experiencing resurrection power.
- Romans 8:17 (thematic): Speaks of being heirs with Christ if we suffer with him, linking the fellowship of his sufferings with participation in his future glory—resonant with Paul’s sequence of suffering → conformity → resurrection.
- 1 Peter 4:13 (thematic): Calls believers to rejoice insofar as they share Christ’s sufferings, reflecting the positive valuation of participation in Christ’s sufferings found in Phil. 3:10.
Alternative generated candidates
- That I may know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to his death;
- That I may know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to his death,
Phil.3.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- πως: ADV
- καταντησω: VERB,fut,act,ind,1,sg
- εις: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- εξαναστασιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- εκ: PREP
- νεκρων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
Parallels
- Philippians 3:10 (structural): Immediate context: Paul links his knowing Christ and sharing in his sufferings with participation in ‘the power of his resurrection,’ explaining his aim to attain the resurrection from the dead.
- Romans 6:5 (verbal): Speaks of being 'planted together in the likeness of his death' and also 'in the likeness of his resurrection,' paralleling the language of union with Christ that grounds hope for believers’ resurrection.
- 1 Corinthians 15:20-23 (thematic): Affirms Christ as the firstfruits of the resurrection and the future resurrection of those who belong to him, providing the theological basis for Paul’s desire to attain resurrection.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17 (thematic): Describes the future raising of the dead at Christ’s coming and the hope of believers’ resurrection—closely related to Paul’s aim to ‘attain the resurrection from the dead.’
- Romans 8:11 (thematic): Promises that the Spirit who raised Christ will give life to mortal bodies, grounding the eschatological hope implicit in Paul’s desire to realize resurrection.
Alternative generated candidates
- if by any means I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
- if by any means I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you, and it is for your safety.
Watch out for dogs; watch out for evildoers; watch out for those who mutilate the flesh.
For we are the circumcision—those who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh.
Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he has reason to put confidence in the flesh, I have more.
Circumcised on the eighth day; of the people of Israel; of the tribe of Benjamin; a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee.
As to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. But whatever gains I had, these I have counted loss for the sake of Christ.
Indeed I count everything as loss compared with the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as refuse, that I may gain Christ. And be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ—the righteousness from God that is by faith.
That I may know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to his death.
If by any means I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.