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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Philippians 3:17 - 4:1
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Php_3:17 to Php_4:1
17Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. 18For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, 19whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things. 20For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; 21who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself. Php_4:1 Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.
Php_3:17 "Join in following my example" This verse has two present imperatives. Paul is encouraging them to follow him as he followed Christ (cf. Php_4:9; 1Co_4:16; 1Co_11:1; 1Th_1:6; 2Th_3:7; 2Th_3:9). This phrase is logically linked to Php_3:15-16. Notice how Paul's example is expanded to include his missionary team and possibly Epaphroditus ("my"-"us").
▣ "Example" See Special Topic following.
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Php_3:18 "for many walk of whom I often told you" There were, and are, false teachers in the church. In this book they could be either Judaizers (cf. Php_3:2-16), as in the book of Galatians and Acts 15, or Gnostics (cf. 1Jn_2:18; 1Jn_2:22; 1Jn_4:1-6). The only way to protect oneself from error is to know, embrace, and live the truth! False teachers are sharp, logical, articulate, and attractive people. Trust the Son; follow the Book; yield to the Spirit!
▣ "even weeping" This is a term for intense grief (cf. Mat_2:18; Mat_26:75; Mar_5:38-39; Joh_11:31; Jas_4:9; Jas_5:1). Paul took no joy in others who were in moral or theological error.
▣ "enemies of the cross of Christ" There is uncertainty about the identity of these "enemies of the cross." The phrases used by Paul are so intense they seem to refer to the unbelieving false teachers of Php_3:2-16. The sins listed in Php_3:19 do not fit legalistic Jews, but Greek antinomian false teachers or possibly Christian converts who have reverted to former pagan lifestyles (cf. Col_2:16-23; 2Pe_2:20-22). The context favors the last option. But, if so, the contrast of Php_3:20 implies that Paul thought they were not truly saved (cf. Mat_7:13; 1Jn_2:19; 2Pe_2:1-22; Rev_2:4-5; Rev_2:10-11; Rev_2:16-17; Rev_2:25-26; Rev_3:2; Rev_3:5; Rev_3:11; Rev_3:21).
Be careful that your systematic (denominational, experiential, cultural) theology does not interpret this text. Literary context and the original author's intent must be the major criteria. The NT is not a systematic presentation of truth but an eastern, paradoxical genre. The NT regularly presents truths in seemingly contradictory pairs (paradox). The Christian life is a tension- filled life of assurance and hope as well as responsibility and warning! Salvation is not a product but a new life!
Php_3:19
NASB, NKJV,
NRSV "whose end is destruction"
TEV "they are going to end up in hell"
NJB "they are destined to be lost"
These were sincere, informed, religious people. Paul uses this term apôleia to describe God's ultimate judgment (cf. Php_1:28; Rom_9:22; 2Th_2:3; 1Ti_6:9). However, in the Gospels it must be admitted that it was used in the sense of "wasted" (cf. Mat_26:8; Mar_14:4). Therefore, it is impossible to know to whom Paul is referring (believers or nonbelievers).
NASB "whose god is their appetite"
NKJV, NRSV "whose god is their belly"
TEV "because their god is their bodily desires"
NJB "their god is their stomach"
This shows their tendency toward (1) antinomian practices or (2) gluttony and materialism. This sounds more like Greek false teachers (cf. Rom_16:17-18) than Jewish legalists (cf. Php_3:2-6). TEV may have captured the metaphorical meaning,"because their god is their bodily desires."
▣ "whose glory is in their shame" This could refer to
1. the Judaizers' emphasis on circumcision or Jewish pride
2. the Gnostics' emphasis on knowledge
3. the Libertines' immoral lifestyle
These false teachers were proud of the very things for which they should have been ashamed! The false teachers of the NT are often characterized by financial and/or sexual exploitation.
▣ "who set their minds on earthly things" This shows the origin of much of humanity's religiosity (cf. Isa_29:13; Col_2:16-23; Col_3:1-2).
Php_3:20
NASB, NKJV "For our citizenship is in heaven"
NRSV "But our citizenship is in heaven"
TEV "We, however, are citizens of heaven"
NJB "But our homeland is in heaven"
This verse is a contrast to Php_3:18-19. The pronoun "our" is emphatic. "Heaven" is plural (cf. 2Co_12:2; Eph_4:10; Heb_4:14; Heb_7:26) following the Hebrew usage (shamayim). Possibly Paul was using the Roman colonial status of this city as an illustration (cf. Php_1:27).
▣ "we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ" Paul often uses this term "eagerly wait" in relation to the Second Coming (cf. Rom_8:19; Rom_8:23; Rom_8:25; 1Co_1:7; Gal_5:5; Heb_9:28). Believers' desire for the Second Coming is one evidence of their relationship with Christ and an impetus for Christlike living (cf. Rom_8:19; Rom_8:23; 1Co_1:7).
Paul's emphasis on the Lord's return is recurrent, but his understanding of the time element is ambiguous. There are several passages in which Paul includes himself in the group who would be alive at the Second Coming (cf. 1Co_15:51-52; 2 Corinthians 5; Php_3:20; 1Th_4:15; 1Th_4:17). However, there are other passages where he asserts a future return beyond his own lifetime (cf. 1Co_6:14; 2Co_4:14 and especially 2 Thessalonians). It is possible that the "we" of the first group of texts is literary, or that Paul's views on this subject developed. It is difficult to suppose that an inspired author "developed" his theology. A better approach is to assert a dialectical model. Paul, like all NT writers, asserted the certainty and "soon-ness" of the Second Coming. Believers are to live in light of the any-moment return of the Lord! However, Jesus (Matthew 24) and Paul (2 Thessalonians 2) spoke of historical events that must occur before the Second Coming. Both are somehow true! The return of Jesus is a motivating hope of every generation of believers but the reality of only one generation!
This is one of two times Paul calls Jesus "Savior" (cf. Eph_5:23) before the Pastoral Letters (1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus), in which he uses the title ten times. This term came to be a title for the Roman Emperor. In Titus there is a parallel in the use of this term between God the Father and Jesus the Son (cf. Php_1:3 vs. Php_1:4; Php_2:10 vs. Php_2:13; Php_3:4 vs. Php_3:6). The early Christians were willing to face death rather than relinquish this title to the Emperor. Both "Savior" and "Lord" were Imperial Roman titles used by Christians exclusively for Jesus.
Php_3:21 "who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory" Paul put a positive emphasis on believers' bodily existence (cf. 2Co_5:1-10), both here and in heaven. This is referred to theologically as glorification (cf. Rom_8:30; 1Jn_3:2), when salvation will be consummated and fully realized. Our body of dust (cf. Psa_103:14) will be exchanged and remade (1Th_4:13-18) into a spiritual body like Jesus' (cf. 1Co_15:45; 1Jn_3:2).
▣ "He has even to subject all things to Himself" The resurrected Christ is Lord of all (cf. 1Co_15:24-28; Col_1:20).
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