Philippians 3:17

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 3:17

Brethren, be followers together of me ,.... Not that the apostle set up himself as the head of a party, which is what he always blamed in others; he did not assume a dominion over the faith of men, or seek to lord it over God's heritage; nor did he desire any to be followers of him, any further than he was a follower of Christ; and in what he was, whether in doctrine or practice, he desires to be followed in: and here he has a particular regard to what went before, concerning reckoning what... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 3:17

Brethren, be followers - of me - In the things of Christ let me be your line, and my writings preaching, and conduct, your rule. And mark them - Σκοπειτε . Still alluding to the line in the stadium, keep your eye steadily fixed on those who walk - live, as ye have us - myself, Timothy, and Epaphroditus, for an ensample. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 3:17

Verse 17 17Mark them By this expression he means, that it is all one to him what persons they single out for themselves for imitation, provided they conform themselves to that purity of which he was a pattern. By this means all suspicion of ambition is taken away, for the man that is devoted to his own interests wishes to have no rival. At the same time he warns them that all are not to be imitated indiscriminately, as he afterwards explains more fully. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:15-17

Moral perfection. "Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in anything ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample." Three thoughts are suggested here concerning moral perfections. I. THAT MORAL PERFECTION IS ATTAINABLE IN THIS ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:17

Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample ; rather, as R.V., imitators together. They are to unite, one and all, in imitating him. In 1 Corinthians 11:1 he gives the ground of this advice, "As I also am of Christ." Mark , here in order to imitate; elsewhere (as Romans 16:17 ) in order to avoid. He changes the singular number to the plural, modestly shrinking from proposing himself alone as their example. But "ensample" is still... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:17

The imitation of good men. "Brethren, be ye imitators together of me, and mark them who walk so as ye have us for an ensample." I. THE DUTY OF FOLLOWING GOOD EXAMPLES . 1 . We are commanded to do so. ( 1 Corinthians 11:1 .) 2 . The lives of many saints are expressly recorded for our imitation. ( James 5:10 , James 5:11 , James 5:17 ; Philippians 4:9 .) 3 . the imitation is limited by several circumstances. II. THE USES OF SUCH ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:17

Imitation. When a man invites others to become imitators of himself he must be either possessed by an absurd self-admiration or almost entirely devoid of self-regarding feelings. The latter was the case with St. Paul. he saw the plain fact that there were points in which it was desirable for the Philippians to imitate him, and he was so unselfishly concerned for their welfare as never to have a passing thought that he might be laying himself open to a charge of self-glorification. The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:17-19

The Christian minister must set an example to his flock. I. TRUE SHEPHERD GOETH BEFORE HIS SHEEP . He should be able to say, like the apostle, "Be ye followers of me, as I also am of Christ." For the preacher's words have little influence if they are not enforced and illustrated by his life. A real earnest Christian life is a living power; its light shines before men; it leads others to glorify that God from whom all true religion comes. For it proves the truth of God's Word... read more

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