Philippians 3

3:1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe. (God is unfailing in his love for us)

²Beware of dogs (scoundrels), beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. (Mutilation of one’s conversion)

³For we are the circumcision (cutting off the unwanted parts of our mind as well as our flesh, actions), which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. (just because the flesh is circumcised it does not guarantee your spiritual adherence to YHVH and His instructions)

⁴Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: (he has more bragging points than any other “religious” man in his day)

⁵Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; (highest ranking priest in Judaism)

⁶Concerning zeal (passion), persecuting the church (messianic believers); touching the righteousness which is in the law (Torah), blameless. (he was without blame in Judaism)

⁷But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. (his actions would not lead to salvation)

⁸Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

(all the things that Paul had gained in the sight of men and in the actions of Judaism were now gone according to the other Pharisees, and the oral and written codes adopted by the Sanhedrin such as the Midrash & Talmud, Paul can see as worthless)

⁹And be found in him (Jesus Christ), not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law (Torah), but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

¹⁰That I may know him (Jesus Christ), and the power of his resurrection (our replacement for the sacrificial system), and the fellowship (partnership) of his sufferings, being made conformable (to assimilate) unto his death; (of the flesh and concern ourselves with that which is Holy)

¹¹If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of (from) the dead. (death of the flesh unto a glorified body in everlasting peace with Christ)

¹²Not as though I had already attained (received), either were already perfect (complete/mature): but I follow after (pursue/adhere), if that I may apprehend (taken eagerly) that for which also I am apprehended (seized) of (by) Christ Jesus. (the security of ownership by Christ in the eternal battle)

¹³Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended (knowing at the present time being in Christ/ his apprehension is in the future): but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind (actions in the past), and reaching forth (stretching out to attain) unto those things which are before (in front of me),

¹⁴I press (pursue) toward the mark (seek out) for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

¹⁵Let us therefore, as many as be perfect (matured), be thus minded (concerned towards): and if in anything ye be otherwise (differently) minded (disposed), God shall reveal even this unto you.

¹⁶Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. (let us live up to the honor and praise of the word of God and the sacrifice that Christ offered)

¹⁷Brethren, be followers together of (with) me, and mark (seek out) them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

¹⁸{For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: (telling a false doctrine / mixing idol worship with the faith)

¹⁹Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly (cavity – meaning empty), and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things. (idols)}
Romans 8:5-10 “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.”

²⁰For our conversation (community) is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

²¹Who shall change our vile (humiliation) body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious (dignity/spiritual) body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue (make to obey) all things unto himself.
1 Corinthians 15:24-28 “Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.”