Righteousness Through Faith in Christ
1Finally, my brothers,1 krejoice in the Lord. lTo write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.
2Look out for mthe dogs, look out for nthe evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. 3For owe are the circumcision, pwho worship qby the Spirit of God2 and rglory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— 4sthough I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5tcircumcised on the eighth day, uof the people of Israel, vof the tribe of Benjamin, ua Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, wa Pharisee; 6xas to zeal, ya persecutor of the church; zas to righteousness under the law,3 blameless. 7But awhatever gain I had, bI counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8Indeed, I count everything as loss because of cthe surpassing worth of dknowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I ehave suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9and be found in him, not having fa righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but gthat which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10hthat I may know him and ithe power of his resurrection, and jmay share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11that by any means possible I may kattain the resurrection from the dead.
Straining Toward the Goal
12Not that I have already lobtained this or mam already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: nforgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14I press on toward the goal for othe prize of the upward pcall of God in Christ Jesus. 15Let those of us who are qmature think this way, and if in anything ryou think otherwise, sGod will reveal that also to you. 16Only tlet us hold true to what we have attained.
17Brothers, ujoin in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk vaccording to the example you have in us. 18For wmany, of whom I have often told you and now tell you xeven with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19yTheir end is destruction, ztheir god is their belly, and athey glory in their shame, with bminds set on earthly things. 20But cour citizenship is in heaven, and dfrom it we eawait a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21who will transform four lowly body gto be like his glorious body, hby the power that enables him even ito subject all things to himself.
Union with Christ in Pastoral Ministry
Philippians 3:1–21, Philippians 4:1 Sermon • 55:23 • ID: GS941Where Do I Belong?
Philippians 3:17–4:1 Sermon • Includes Transcript • 48:17 • ID: 2022Christian Maturity
Philippians 3:12–16 Sermon • Includes Transcript • 43:43 • ID: 2021I Want to Know Christ
Philippians 3:4–11 Sermon • Includes Transcript • 47:24 • ID: 2020A Study in Philippians, Volume 2
Take Dead Aim Philippians 3:1–4:23 Series • ID: 150021Therefore, my brothers,1 whom I love and jlong for, kmy joy and lcrown, mstand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.
Exhortation, Encouragement, and Prayer
2I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to nagree in the Lord. 3Yes, I ask you also, true companion,2 help these women, who have labored3 side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, owhose names are in the book of life.
4pRejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5Let your reasonableness4 be known to everyone. qThe Lord is at hand; 6rdo not be anxious about anything, sbut in everything by prayer and supplication twith thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And uthe peace of God, vwhich surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9What you have learned5 and wreceived and heard and seen xin me—practice these things, and ythe God of peace will be with you.
God's Provision
10I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length zyou have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be acontent. 12I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and bhunger, abundance and cneed. 13I can do all things dthrough him who strengthens me.
14Yet it was kind of you eto share6 my trouble. 15And you Philippians yourselves know that fin the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, gno church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. 16Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. 17hNot that I seek the gift, but I seek ithe fruit that increases to your credit.7 18I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, jhaving received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, ka fragrant offering, la sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. 19And my God mwill supply every need of yours naccording to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20To oour God and Father be pglory forever and ever. Amen.
Final Greetings
21Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. qThe brothers who are with me greet you. 22rAll the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household.
23sThe grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Union with Christ in Pastoral Ministry
Philippians 3:1–21, Philippians 4:1 Sermon • 55:23 • ID: GS941Contentment
Philippians 4:12, Psalm 131:1 Sermon • Includes Transcript • 46:13 • ID: 2414Thinking Like Christ
Philippians 4:4–9 Sermon • Includes Transcript • 23:01 • ID: 2925Spiritual Investing — Part One
Philippians 4:14–23 Sermon • Includes Transcript • 39:29 • ID: 2035Spiritual Investing — Part Two
Philippians 4:14–23 Sermon • Includes Transcript • 24:09 • ID: 2036The Secret of Contentment
Philippians 4:10–13 Sermon • Includes Transcript • 44:37 • ID: 2032Learning for Living
Philippians 4:8–9 Sermon • Includes Transcript • 28:21 • ID: 2031The Power of Proper Thinking
Philippians 4:8–9 Sermon • Includes Transcript • 47:42 • ID: 2029A Study in Philippians, Volume 2
Take Dead Aim Philippians 3:1–4:23 Series • ID: 15002Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language.