Philippians 3:17-21

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Philippians 3:18

For many walk ,.... אחרניאית , "otherwise", as the Syriac version adds; and which truly explains the words, and gives the sense; they walked not as the apostle and his followers; they walked as men, as carnal men, 1 Corinthians 3:3 , according to the course of the world, after their ungodly lusts, Ephesians 2:2 ; or according to the rites and ceremonies of the Mosaic dispensation, and not uprightly, and according to the truth of the Gospel: and there were many that walked so; the road... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Philippians 3:19

Whose end is destruction ,.... Everlasting destruction, the destruction of both body and soul in hell, Matthew 10:28 ; and this is the end, the reward and issue of bad principles and practices; the broad roads of sin and error lead to destruction, Matthew 7:13 ; however pleasing such ways may be to men, the end of them is eternal death; destruction and misery are in all the ways of profaneness and heresy; not only immoralities, but heresies, such as strike at the efficacy of Christ's... 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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Philippians 3:21

Who shall change our vile body ,.... Which is defiled with sin, attended with frailty, and is mortal; and being dead, is sown and laid in the grave in corruption, weakness, and dishonour: in the Greek text it is, "the body of our humility"; sin has subjected the body to weakness, mortality, and death; and death brings it into a very low estate indeed, which is very humbling and mortifying to the pride and vanity man: now this vile body, in the resurrection morn, shall be stripped of all its... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 3:18

For many walk, etc - The Judaizing teachers continue to preach, who wish to incorporate circumcision, and other ordinances of the law, with the Gospel. They are the enemies of the cross of Christ - They rather attribute justification to the Levitical sacrifices, than to the sacrificial death of Christ; and thus they are enemies to that cross, and will not suffer persecution for its sake. They please the world, and are in no danger of reproach. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 3:19

Whose end is destruction - This is the issue of their doctrine and of their conduct. They are here described by three characters: Their god is their belly - they live not in any reference to eternity; their religion is for time; they make a gain of godliness; and live only to eat, drink, and be merry. Their glory is in their shame - they lay it down as a proof of their address, that they can fare sumptuously every day, in consequence of preaching a doctrine which flatters the passions... read more

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