Philippians 3

Righteousness Through Faith in Christ

1 Finally, my brethren, a rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe.

2 b Beware of dogs, beware of c evil workers, d beware of the mutilation! 3 For we are e the circumcision, f who worship 1 God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, 4 though g I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I h more so: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, i of the tribe of Benjamin, j a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, k a Pharisee; 6 concerning zeal, l persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. 7 But m what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss n for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having o my own righteousness, which is from the law, but p that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the q power of His resurrection, and r the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may s attain 2 to the resurrection from the dead.

Straining Toward the Goal

12 Not that I have already t attained, 3 or am already u perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have 4 apprehended; but one thing I do, v forgetting those things which are behind and w reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 x I press toward the goal for the prize of y the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Therefore let us, as many as are z mature, a have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, b God will reveal even this to you. 16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already 5 attained, c let us walk d by the same 6 rule, let us be of the same mind.

17 Brethren, e join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as f you have us for a pattern. 18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are g the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 h whose end is destruction, i whose god is their belly, and j whose glory is in their shame - k who set their mind on earthly things. 20 For l our citizenship is in heaven, m from which we also n eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 o who will transform our lowly body that it may be p conformed to His glorious body, q according to the working by which He is able even to r subdue all things to Himself.

  1. Cross References
    1 Thessalonians 5:16
    Rejoice always.
  2. Cross References
    Psalms 22:16
    For dogs have surrounded Me; The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced My hands and My feet.
    Psalms 22:20
    Deliver Me from the sword, My precious life from the power of the dog.
    Galatians 5:15
    But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!
    Revelation 22:15
    But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.
  3. Cross References
    Psalms 119:115
    Depart from me, you evildoers, For I will keep the commandments of my God!
  4. Cross References
    Romans 2:28
    For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh.
  5. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 30:6
    And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.
    Romans 2:28
    For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh.
    Romans 2:29
    But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.
    Romans 9:6
    But it is not that the word of God has taken no effect. For they are not all Israel who are of Israel.
    Galatians 6:15
    For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.
  6. Cross References
    John 4:24
    "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."
    Romans 7:6
    But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.
  7. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 5:16
    Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer.
    2 Corinthians 11:18
    Seeing that many boast according to the flesh, I also will boast.
  8. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 11:22
    Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I.
    2 Corinthians 11:23
    Are they ministers of Christ? - I speak as a fool - I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often.
  9. Cross References
    Romans 11:1
    I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
  10. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 11:22
    Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I.
  11. Cross References
    Acts 23:6
    But when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, "Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee; concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!
  12. Cross References
    Acts 8:3
    As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.
    Acts 22:4
    I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.
    Acts 22:5
    As also the high priest bears me witness, and all the council of the elders, from whom I also received letters to the brethren, and went to Damascus to bring in chains even those who were there to Jerusalem to be punished.
    Acts 26:9 - 11
    Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
  13. Cross References
    Matthew 13:44
    Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
  14. Cross References
    Isaiah 53:11
    He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, For He shall bear their iniquities.
    Jeremiah 9:23
    Thus says the LORD: "Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches.
    John 17:3
    And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.
    1 Corinthians 2:2
    For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
    Ephesians 4:13
    Till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.
  15. Cross References
    Romans 10:3
    For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.
  16. Cross References
    Romans 1:17
    For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith.
  17. Cross References
    Ephesians 1:19
    And what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power
    Ephesians 1:20
    Which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places.
  18. Cross References
    Romans 6:3 - 5
    Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?
    2 Corinthians 1:5
    For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.
    1 Peter 4:13
    But rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
  19. Cross References
    Acts 26:6 - 8
    And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers.
    1 Corinthians 15:23
    But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming.
    Revelation 20:5
    But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
  20. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 9:24
    Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.
    1 Timothy 6:12
    Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
    1 Timothy 6:19
    Storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
  21. Cross References
    Hebrews 12:23
    To the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect.
  22. Cross References
    Luke 9:62
    But Jesus said to him, "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
  23. Cross References
    Hebrews 6:1
    Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God.
  24. Cross References
    2 Timothy 4:7
    I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
  25. Cross References
    Hebrews 3:1
    Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus.
  26. Cross References
    Matthew 5:48
    Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
    1 Corinthians 2:6
    However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.
  27. Cross References
    Galatians 5:10
    I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will have no other mind; but he who troubles you shall bear his judgment, whoever he is.
  28. Cross References
    Hosea 6:3
    Let us know, Let us pursue the knowledge of the LORD. His going forth is established as the morning; He will come to us like the rain, Like the latter and former rain to the earth.
    James 1:5
    If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
  29. Cross References
    Galatians 6:16
    And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.
  30. Cross References
    Romans 12:16
    Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
    Romans 15:5
    Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus.
  31. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 4:16
    Therefore I urge you, imitate me.
    1 Corinthians 11:1
    Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.
    Philippians 4:9
    The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
  32. Cross References
    Titus 2:7
    In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility.
    Titus 2:8
    Sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.
    1 Peter 5:3
    Nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
  33. Cross References
    Galatians 1:7
    Which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.
  34. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 11:15
    Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.
  35. Cross References
    1 Timothy 6:5
    Useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.
  36. Cross References
    Hosea 4:7
    The more they increased, The more they sinned against Me; I will change their glory into shame.
  37. Cross References
    Romans 8:5
    For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.
    Colossians 3:2
    Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.
  38. Cross References
    Ephesians 2:6
    And raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.
    Ephesians 2:19
    Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.
    Philippians 1:27
    Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.
    Colossians 3:1
    If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.
    Hebrews 12:22
    But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels.
  39. Cross References
    Acts 1:11
    Who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.
  40. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 1:7
    So that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.
  41. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 15:43 - 53
    It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power.
  42. Cross References
    1 John 3:2
    Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
  43. Cross References
    Ephesians 1:19
    And what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power
  44. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 15:28
    Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
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