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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 3:17-21

(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

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Philippians 3:19

(19) Whose end is destruction. . . .—The intense severity of this verse is only paralleled by such passages as 2 Timothy 2:1-5; 2 Peter 2:12-22; Jude 1:4; Jude 1:8; Jude 1:12-13. All express the burning indignation of a true servant of Christ against those who “turn the grace of God into lasciviousness,” and “after escaping the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, are again entangled therein and overcome.”Whose God is their belly.—A stronger... 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 3:18-19

Chapter 15ENEMIES OF THE CROSS.Philippians 3:18-19 (R.V.)THE New Testament writers, and not least the Apostle Paul, are wont to bring out their conception of the true Christian life by setting it vividly in contrast with the life of the unspiritual man. They seem to say: "If you really mean to say No to the one, and Yes to the other, be sincere and thorough: compromises are not possible here." So: 1 Timothy 6:10 "The love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they... 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

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Philippians 3:19

3:19 Whose {n} end [is] destruction, whose God [is their] belly, and [whose] {o} glory [is] in their shame, who mind earthly things.)(n) Reward.(o) Which they hunt after from men’s hands. 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

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Philippians 3:1-21

JOY IN PRAYERS This chapter opens with a warning against the Judaizing teachers whom we have met before (Philippians 3:1-3 ), and who followed Paul everywhere teaching that the keeping of the ceremonial law of Moses was necessary to salvation. The “dogs,” the “evil workers” and the “concision” of Philippians 3:2 all refer to them, the last word being a parody of what circumcision meant in the Old Testament. These false teachers were not the true circumcision, or the true Israelites, who are... read more

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