Philippians 3:17-4:7 NIV

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Philippians 3:17

This verse is transitional. It applies equally well to what precedes and to what follows.Paul’s advice might appear to some as egocentric. Nonetheless the reason he encouraged others to follow his example was that he was following Christ (cf. 1 Corinthians 11:1). Those who walked after Paul’s pattern of life included Timothy and Epaphroditus. In Philippians, Paul typically gave warnings and then followed them up with encouragements in the form of good examples."At issue throughout is living a... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 3:1-21

Dangers and Hopes of the Present SituationV. Interjected Warnings (Philippians 3:1-21)§ 11. Philippians 3:1-6. Finally (lit. ’For the rest’), my brethren, brings the close of the letter in sight (see Intro.); the Apostle has only a few supplementary counsels to give—prefaced by the Rejoice in the Lord, which is the prevalent note of the Epistle (Philippians 1:4, Philippians 1:18, Philippians 1:26; Philippians 2:2, Philippians 2:17-18)—and to make acknowledgment of the contribution sent through... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Philippians 3:1-21

[7.Words of Warning (Philippians 3:1 to Philippians 4:3).(1) AGAINST THE JUDAISERS.(a)Warning against confidence “in the flesh,” illustrated by his own renunciation of all Jewish privileges and hopes, in order to have “the righteousness of Christ” (Philippians 3:1-9).(b)Warning against confidence in perfection as already attained, again illustrated by his own sense of imperfection and hope of continual progress (Philippians 3:10-16).(2) AGAINST THE ANTINOMIAN PARTY.Contrast of the sensual and... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Philippians 3:17

(17) Followers together of me.—The word is peculiar. It signifies unite in following me. In accordance with the genius of the whole Epistle, St. Paul offers his example as a help not only to rectitude but to unity. For the simple phrase “followers of me,” see 1 Corinthians 4:16; 1 Corinthians 11:1; 1 Thessalonians 1:6; 2 Thessalonians 3:9. In 1 Corinthians 11:1, a passage dealing with the right restraints of Christian liberty, we have the ground on which the exhortation is based, “Be ye... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Philippians 3:17-21

(17-21) In these verses St. Paul turns from the party of Pharisaic perfection to the opposite party of Antinomian profligacy, claiming, no doubt, to walk in the way of Christian liberty which he preached. The co-existence of these two parties was, it may be remarked, a feature of the Gnosticism already beginning to show itself in the Church. He deals with this perversion of liberty into licentiousness in exactly the same spirit as in Romans 6:0, but with greater brevity; with less of argument... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Philippians 3:1-21

Beware of the Dogs Philippians 3:2-3 The text enshrines the presentation of a contrast on one side dark, forbidding, and revolting; on the other side radiant and alluring, 'Beware of the dogs: beware of the evil workers; beware of the concision'. What is all this but a solemn and urgent warning against externalism, against all dependence upon outward ordinance and form? What are the marks of true religion? Paul enumerates three, and they appear to me to be full and all-sufficient. I. The first... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Philippians 3:8-18

Chapter 11THE KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST.Philippians 3:8-18 (R.V.)MR. ALEXANDER KNOX, in a letter to a friend, makes the following remark: "Religion contains two sets of truths, which I may venture to denominate ultimate and mediatory: the former refer to God as an original and end; the latter to the Word made flesh, the suffering, dying, rising, ruling Saviour; the way, the truth, the life. Now I conceive these two views have almost ever been varying, in the minds even of the sincerely pious, with... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Philippians 3:12-17

Chapter 14CHRISTIAN LIFE A RACE.Philippians 3:12-17 (R.V.)VARIOUS passages in this Epistle suggest that the Apostle’s Philippian friends or some of them were relaxing in diligence; they were failing perhaps to lay to heart the need of progress, less sensitive than they ought to be to the impulse of Christianity as a religion of effort and expectancy. Some of them, it might be, were inclined to think of themselves as now pretty well initiated into the new religion, and as pretty thorough adepts... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Philippians 3:1-21

III. CHRIST, THE OBJECT AND THE GOAL CHAPTER 3 1. The true circumcision (Philippians 3:1-3 ) 2. Paul’s past experience (Philippians 3:4-7 ) 3. The one passion (Philippians 3:8-11 ) 4. Pressing towards the mark (Philippians 3:12-16 ) 5. The goal of glory (Philippians 3:17-21 ) Philippians 3:1-3 Finally (or, for the rest), my brethren, rejoice in the “Lord.” Rejoicing in the Lord, not merely in the salvation which is ours, nor in His mercies, in His gifts or in our service, but in Him, is... read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 3:1-21

It is far from irksome to the apostle to turn again to speak of "rejoicing in the Lord." Simple and elementary as is his exhortation, he is not wearied in repeating "the same things ... .. For you it is safe" he assures them. Blessed it is that most fundamentally vital things are the most simple and clear, - yet bearing the most profound results. The springs of our souls' delight must be "in the Lord" Himself: this is the one secret of all soul-prosperity. Nothing must be allowed to usurp His... read more

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Philippians 3:17

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 3:1-21

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Philippians 3:1-21

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Philippians 3:17

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Philippians 3:17-21

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Philippians 3:1-21

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Philippians 3:8-18

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Philippians 3:12-17

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Philippians 3:1-21

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 3:1-21

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