Philippians 3:20

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Philippians 3:17-21

He closes the chapter with warnings and exhortations. I. He warns them against following the examples of seducers and evil teachers (Phil. 3:18, 19): Many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ. Observe, 1. There are many called by Christ's name who are enemies to Christ's cross, and the design and intention of it. Their walk is a surer evidence what they are than their profession. By their fruits you shall know them,... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Philippians 3:17-21

3:17-21 Brothers, unite in imitating me, and keep your gaze on those who live, as you have seen us as an example. For there are many who behave in such a way--I have often spoken to you about them, and I do so now with tears--that they are enemies of the Cross of Christ. Their end is destruction: their god is their belly; that in which they glory is their shame. Men whose whole minds are earthbound! But our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly await the Lord Jesus Christ as... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Philippians 3:20

For our conversation is in heaven ,.... The Ethiopic version renders it, "we have our city in heaven"; and the words may be truly rendered, "our citizenship is in heaven"; that is, the city whereof we are freemen is heaven, and we behave ourselves here below, as citizens of that city above: heaven is the saints' city; here they have no continuing city, but they seek one to come, which is permanent and durable; a city that has foundations, whose builder and maker is God, Hebrews 11:10 , as... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 3:20

Our conversation is in heaven - Ἡμως - το πολιτευμα· Our city, or citizenship, or civil rights. The word properly signifies the administration, government, or form of a republic or state; and is thus used by Demosthenes, page 107, 25, and 262, 27. Edit. Reiske. It signifies also a republic, a city, or the inhabitants of any city or place; or a society of persons living in the same place, and under the same rules and laws. See more in Schleusner. While those gross and Jewish teachers... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 3:20

Verse 20 20But our conversation is in heaven This statement overturns all empty shows, in which pretended ministers of the gospel are accustomed to glory, and he indirectly holds up to odium all their objects of aim, (201) because, by flying about above the earth, they do not aspire towards heaven. For he teaches that nothing is to be reckoned of any value except God’s spiritual kingdom, because believers ought to lead a heavenly life in this world. “They mind earthly things: it is therefore... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:17-21

Celestial citizenship. Paul, having urged the duty of forgetting the things behind, now speaks of his own example still more pointedly. He has been minding this rule and walking before men as an illustration of its power. And in this occupation with the future his idea has been that he is a citizen of heaven, and is conducting himself daily as one who belongs to that better country. But, while advancing to the statement of this celestial citizenship, he pauses parenthetically over the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:17-21

Contrasted character's and destinies. I. WHOM TO LOOK TO . "Brethren, be ye imitators together of me, and mark them which so walk even as ye have us for an ensample." There was no assumption in Paul putting himself before the Philippians for their imitation. He was simply proceeding on what belonged to the relation subsisting between them. It devolved on Timothy to be an example to believers in the various places where he labored in word, in manner of life, in love, in faith, in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:20

For our conversation is in heaven . The word "our" is emphatic; the apostle refers back to Philippians 3:17 : "Follow us, not those enemies of the cross; our conversation is in heaven; they mind earthly things." The A.V. has this same word "conversation" in Philippians 1:27 , where the Greek ( πολιτεύεσθε ) is the verb corresponding with the noun ( πολιτεῦ΄α ) which occurs here. The verb is used in the sense of a certain mode of life or conversation, as in Acts 23:1 , but... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:20

Citizenship in heaven. I. THE FACT . Christians are citizens of heaven. 1 . They are under h eavenly government. Other men are ruled by earthly influences—laws of the state, social customs, worldly expediency, etc. The true followers of Christ obey higher laws and serve an unseen King. It is their recognized aim to do God's will on earth as the angels do it in heaven. They confess supreme allegiance to a heavenly Lord. 2 . They perform heavenly functions. To be a loyal... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:20-21

The grounds for following St. Paul and other holy men. I. Our conservation is in heaven. The false brethren mirth earthly things; follow us. 1 . Our commonwealth is in heaven ; we are citizens of the heavenly country. Here we are citizens of this realm of England; we have our sovereign, our magistrates, our fellow-subjects, our duties, our privileges. It is a shadow of heavenly things. The heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God , is our true home, our continuing... read more

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