Philippians 3:17-4:7 NIV

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - Philippians 3:13-21

Pressing on “unto the Prize” Philippians 3:13-21 The nearer the saint comes to the perfect life, the farther he feels from it. It is only when we have climbed the foothills that we realize how lofty the mountain summits are. But there is no need for discouragement. We have eternity before us, the expanding landscape of truth is our inspiration, and the loving Spirit of God bears us upward on eagle’s wings. Our Savior had a distinct purpose in view when He apprehended us. Its full scope was... read more

G. Campbell Morgan

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - Philippians 3:1-21

This is the great chapter of the autobiography of Paul. First, he emphasized the story of his past in a most remarkable way. Then referring to these things as gains (the word in the original is plural) he declared he counted them loss. The vision of Christ immediately showed him the worthlessness of everything in comparison. He then brought up the story of his life to the time of his writing. It would then be about thirty years after meeting the risen Lord that he counted his gains but loss.... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 3:10-21

His Knowing Of Christ Involves Participation With Him In The Power Of His Resurrection, And Equal Participation With Him in His Sufferings, By Himself Recognising That He Has Died With Christ. And His Aim Is To Participate In The Resurrection From The Dead (Philippians 3:10-21 ). In The New Testament the power of Christ’s resurrection is seen as an effective transforming power. It is through that power that in Christ God will, from start to finish, bring about the whole salvation of the whole... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 3:17

‘Brothers, be you imitators together of me, and mark them that so walk even as you have us for an example.’ Having sought to establish a proper mindset, Paul points out that a further aid in godly living is the example of mature Christians of repute, whose example they are to follow. Here Paul calls on the Philippians as a whole to be imitators of him, and to note those who walk as he walked. It is such people who should be taken as their example. Note the important twofold step towards... read more

Arthur Peake

Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 3:17-21

Php_3:17-21 . A Contrast.— The Philippians are to follow Paul’ s example in this matter. It is needed because many live very differently. They are a great grief to him; indulging in gross living and even glorying in that for which they should be ashamed, their minds are set on earthly things. Paul and the Philippians claim a citizenship in heaven, corresponding to the claim of citizenship in Rome, which the people in Philippi may put forward, seeing that it is a Roman colony. He and they... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Philippians 3:17

Brethren, be followers together of me; he doth here not only propound his own single example to the brethren at Philippi, as he doth to others elsewhere, 1 Corinthians 4:16, implying the limitation there expressed, viz. as he and others were followers of God and Christ, 1 Corinthians 11:1; Ephesians 5:1; 1 Thessalonians 1:6; 1 Thessalonians 2:14; but, by a word expressing joint consent, he would have them to be fellow imitators or fellow followers of him and others in what he had exhorted them... read more

Joseph Exell

Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary - Philippians 3:17-19

CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTESPhilippians 3:17. Followers together of me.—He does not, as some ungracious pastors do, show the steep road to perfection whilst himself staying at the wicket-gate. Like the good Shepherd he leadeth his sheep.Philippians 3:18. For many walk … the enemies of the cross of Christ.—Christians in name only, whose loose interpretations of the perfect law of liberty make it possible to live an animal life. The cross of Christ, symbol of His self-renunciation, should be... read more

Charles Simeon

Charles Simeon's Horae Homileticae - Philippians 3:17

DISCOURSE: 2156OF FOLLOWING GOOD EXAMPLESPhilippians 3:17; Philippians 3:20. Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.…For our conversation is in heaven.GREAT is the force of example, either to vitiate or improve the morals of those around us. There are few, even of real Christians, who do not, in some considerable degree, yield to its influence. The church at Philippi was, on the whole, distinguished for its attainments: yet even there,... read more

Chuck Smith

Chuck Smith Bible Commentary - Philippians 3:1-21

Shall we turn now in our Bibles to Philippians 3 .Again, remember that the background of this epistle, Paul is chained to a Roman soldier in Rome, in prison, writing to the Philippians. The keynote of the epistle is rejoice, and he said,Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord ( Philippians 3:1 ).You know, oftentimes it is extremely difficult to rejoice in circumstances. In fact, I think sometimes it is impossible to rejoice in circumstances. I just did a dumb thing, I ran through a red light... read more

Joseph Sutcliffe

Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments - Philippians 3:1-21

Philippians 3:2 . Beware of dogs, judaizing teachers and false apostles, which bite and devour the flock; dogs which bark in ignorance against the person of Christ, and the gospel of God our Saviour. Paul had in view the rebuke given by Isaiah to the false prophets of Israel: Isaiah 56:10-11. Dogs that encompassed about both David and David’s Lord, and thirsted for their blood. Psalms 22:17; Psalms 22:21. Beware of evil workers, who corrupt the truth, and by every art seek to seduce and... read more