- 1Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.
- 2Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.
- 3For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
- 4Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
- 5Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
- 6Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
- 7But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
- 8Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
- 9And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
- 10That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
- 11If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
- 12Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
- 13Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
- 14I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
- 15Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
- 16Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
- 17Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
- 18(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
- 19Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
- 20For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
- 21Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
KING JAMES VERSION
PHILIPPIANS 3
Read the chapter, follow a linked verse, and continue into related Watchman 33 teaching.
CHAPTER VISUAL
Philippians 3 — Paul counts former gain as loss to know Christ, presses toward the heavenly calling, and awaits the Savior who will transform His people.
About this illustration
The road, race, abandoned status objects, followers, radiant homeland, and risen Christ combine Paul’s testimony and athletic comparison. Paul is still running rather than shown as already perfected or crowned.
Scripture basis: Philippians 3:1–21King James Version · Standardized 1769 text with Strong’s numbering · Public domain outside the United Kingdom
EXPLORE THE MESSAGE
Related Watchman 33 Resources
Archaeological Evidence
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEManuscript
3rd–4th Century
Papyrus P16: Philippians 3:10–17 in a Greek Witness
P.Oxy. VII 1009, now BAAM 0544 in Alexandria, preserves Philippians 3:10–17 and 4:2–8 on a third- or fourth-century papyrus codex leaf and may once have belonged with P15 to a larger Pauline collection.
Philippians 3:10–17 · Philippians 4:2–8
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEManuscript
8th Century
Papyrus P61: 1 Corinthians 5:1–3 in a Greek Witness
P61, P. Colt 5 from the Nessana excavations, is a late-seventh- or eighth-century Greek papyrus witness to portions of seven Pauline letters, including a damaged subscription to Titus.
Romans 16:23–27 · 1 Corinthians 5:1–3 · 1 Corinthians 5:9–13
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