Warning Against Evil Workers
1 So then, my brothers, keep on rejoicing in the Lord. It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you; indeed, it is for your safety.
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.
1 Finally, my brethren, (A)rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you.
3 For it is we who are the circumcision we who worship in the Spirit of God and find our joy in the Messiah Jesus. We have not placed any confidence in the flesh,
3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
3 for (D)we are the true (b)circumcision, who (E)worship in the Spirit of God and (F)glory in (G)Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh,
3 For we are the circumcision,(C) the ones who serve by the Spirit(D) of God, boast in Christ Jesus,(E) and do not put confidence in the flesh—
3 for we [who are born-again have been reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, set apart for His purpose and] are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory and take pride and exult in Christ Jesus and place no confidence [in what we have or who we are] in the flesh—
4 although I could have confidence in the flesh. If anyone thinks he can place confidence in the flesh, I have more reason to think so.
4 Though 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:
4 although (H)I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more:
4 although I once also had confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more:
4 though I myself might have [some grounds for] confidence in the flesh [if I were pursuing salvation by works]. If anyone else thinks that he has reason to be confident in the flesh [that is, in his own efforts to achieve salvation], I have far more:
Righteousness Through Christ
5 Having been circumcised on the eighth day, I am of the nation of Israel, from the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews. As far as the Law is concerned, I was a Pharisee.
5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
5 (I)circumcised the eighth day, of the (J)nation of Israel, of the (K)tribe of Benjamin, a (L)Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, (M)a Pharisee;
5 circumcised the eighth day;(F) of the nation of Israel,(G) of the tribe of Benjamin,(H) a Hebrew born of Hebrews; regarding the law,(I) a Pharisee;
5 circumcised when I was eight days old, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews [an exemplary Hebrew]; as to the [observance of the] Law, a Pharisee;
6 As for my zeal, I was a persecutor of the church. As far as righteousness in the Law is concerned, I was blameless.
6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
6 as to zeal, (N)a persecutor of the church; as to the (O)righteousness which is in the Law, found (P)blameless.
6 regarding zeal,(J) persecuting(K) the church; regarding the righteousness that is in the law,(L) blameless.(M)
6 as to my zeal [for Jewish tradition], a persecutor of the church; and as to righteousness [supposed right living] which [my fellow Jews believe] is in the Law, I proved myself blameless.
7 But whatever things were assets to me, these I now consider a loss for the sake of the Messiah.
7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
7 But (Q)whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.
7 But everything that was a gain to me, I have considered to be a loss because of Christ.
7 But whatever former things were gains to me [as I thought then], these things [once regarded as advancements in merit] I have come to consider as loss [absolutely worthless] for the sake of Christ [and the purpose which He has given my life].
8 What is more, I continue to consider all these things to be a loss for the sake of what is far more valuable, knowing the Messiah Jesus, my Lord. It is because of him that I have experienced the loss of all those things. Indeed, I consider them rubbish in order to gain the Messiah
8 Yea 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,
8 More than that, I count all things to be loss (c)in view of the surpassing value of (d)(R)knowing (S)Christ Jesus my Lord, (e)for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ,
8 More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value(N) of knowing Christ(O) Jesus my Lord. Because of Him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them filth, so that I may gain Christ(P)
8 But more than that, I count everything as loss compared to the priceless privilege and supreme advantage of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord [and of growing more deeply and thoroughly acquainted with Him—a joy unequaled]. For His sake I have lost everything, and I consider it all garbage, so that I may gain Christ,
9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the Law, but one that comes through the faithfulness of the Messiah, the righteousness that comes from God and that depends on faith.
9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
9 and may be found in Him, not having (T)a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, (U)the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith,
9 and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own from the law,(Q) but one that is through faith in Christ(b)—the righteousness from God based on faith.(R)
9 and may be found in Him [believing and relying on Him], not having any righteousness of my own derived from [my obedience to] the Law and its rituals, but [possessing] that [genuine righteousness] which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith.
10 I want to know the Messiah what his resurrection power is like and what it means to share in his sufferings by becoming like him in his death,
10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
10 that I may (V)know Him and (W)the power of His resurrection and (f)(X)the fellowship of His sufferings, being (Y)conformed to His death;
10 My goal is to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings,(S) being conformed to His death,(T)
10 And this, so that I may know Him [experientially, becoming more thoroughly acquainted with Him, understanding the remarkable wonders of His Person more completely] and [in that same way experience] the power of His resurrection [which overflows and is active in believers], and [that I may share] the fellowship of His sufferings, by being continually conformed [inwardly into His likeness even] to His death [dying as He did];
Reaching Forward To God's Goal
12 It's not that I have already reached this goal or have already become perfect. But I keep pursuing it, hoping somehow to embrace it just as I have been embraced by the Messiah Jesus.
12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
12 Not that I have already (AA)obtained it or have already (AB)become perfect, but I press on (h)so that I may (AC)lay hold of that (i)for which also I (AD)was laid hold of by (AE)Christ Jesus.
13 Brothers, I do not consider myself to have embraced it yet. But this one thing I do: Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: (AF)forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,
Imitate Paul
15 Therefore, those of us who are mature should think this way. And if you think differently about anything, God will show you how to think.
15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
15 Let us therefore, as many as are (j)(AJ)perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a (AK)different attitude, (AL)God will reveal that also to you;
15 Therefore, all who are mature should think this way. And if you think differently about anything, God will reveal(X) this also to you.
15 All of us who are mature [pursuing spiritual perfection] should have this attitude. And if in any respect you have a different attitude, that too God will make clear to you.
16 However, we should live up to what we have achieved so far.
16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
16 In any case, we should live up to whatever truth we have attained.
16 Only let us stay true to what we have already attained.
Imitate Me
17 Join together in imitating me, brothers, and pay close attention to those who live by the example we have set for you.
17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
17 Brethren, (AN)join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the (AO)pattern you have in us.
17 Join in imitating me, brothers, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us.
17 Brothers and sisters, together follow my example and observe those who live by the pattern we gave you.
18 For I have often told you, and now tell you even with tears, that many live as enemies of the cross of the Messiah.
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:
18 For (AP)many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even (AQ)weeping, that they are enemies of (AR)the cross of Christ,
18 For I have often told you, and now say again with tears, that many live as enemies of the cross(Y) of Christ.
18 For there are many, of whom I have often told you, and now tell you even with tears, who live as enemies of the cross of Christ [rejecting and opposing His way of salvation],
19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their belly, and their glory is in their shame. Their minds are set on worldly things.
19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their (l)(AS)appetite, and whose (AT)glory is in their shame, who (AU)set their minds on earthly things.
19 Their end is destruction; their god is their stomach; their glory(Z) is in their shame. They are focused on earthly things,
19 whose fate is destruction, whose god is their belly [their worldly appetite, their sensuality, their vanity], and whose glory is in their shame—who focus their mind on earthly and temporal things.
20 Our citizenship, however, is in heaven, and it is from there that we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus, the Messiah.
20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
20 For (AV)our (m)citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly (AW)wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;
20 but our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
20 But [we are different, because] our citizenship is in heaven. And from there we eagerly await [the coming of] the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;
21 He will change our unassuming bodies and make them like his glorious body through the power that enables him to bring everything under his authority.
21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
21 who will (AX)transform (n)the body of our humble state into (AY)conformity with (o)the (AZ)body of His glory, (BA)by the exertion of the power that He has even to (BB)subject all things to Himself.
21 He will transform the body of our humble condition into the likeness of His glorious(AA) body,(AB) by the power that enables Him to subject everything to Himself.
21 who, by exerting that power which enables Him even to subject everything to Himself, will [not only] transform [but completely refashion] our earthly bodies so that they will be like His glorious resurrected body.