Thematic Bible

Themes in Philippians 3

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Themes in Philippians 3

Philippians 3:1 (show verse)

Finally, my brothers, rejoice in [your relationship to] the Lord. It does not trouble me to write the same things to you again, because you will be safer if I do. [Note: These "same things" may refer to warnings against false teachers which Paul had either spoken to them or written about previously].

Christian conduct » Rejoicing in Christ
Joy » Encouraged to saints

Philippians 3:2 (show verse)

Watch out for the "dogs!" [Note: "Dogs" were viewed with disgust by the ancient Jews (Deut. 23:18; II Kings 8:13; Rev. 22:15), so the term is used here derogatorily for Jewish Christians who were trying to impose on the church the requirements of the law of Moses]. Watch out for the evil workers! Watch out for those who mutilate the body meaninglessly! [Note: Paul here alludes, in a derogatory wordplay, to the Jewish practice of circumcision].

Alertness » What to be aware of
Beware » Beware of evil
Circumcision » Called the » Concision
Concision » A term for "over-zealous" circumcision
Dog » Figurative
Dogs » Illustrative » Of false teachers
Dogs » A term of reproach
Heedfulness » Necessary » Against false teachers
Warnings » Beware of evil

Philippians 3:3 (show verse)

For we [Christians] are the [true] circumcision [i.e., the real "Jews" in God's eyes. See Rom. 2:28-29]. We worship by means of God's Holy Spirit [i.e., are empowered and motivated by the Holy Spirit], and boast in [the person and work of] Christ Jesus, and [we] place no confidence in the flesh [i.e., in any outward ritual or status for salvation].

Circumcision » Figurative
Circumcision » Saints the true spiritual
Circumcision » Who are the circumcision
Circumcision » Figurative » A designation of Christians
Confidence » Who has no confidence in the flesh
Flesh » Who has no confidence in the flesh
Joy » Of saints, is » In Christ
Trust » Of saints, is » Not in the flesh
Worship » Who worships God in the spirit

Philippians 3:4 (show verse)

However I, myself, have [reasons for such] confidence in the flesh. [But] if any other person has [reasons for placing] confidence in the flesh, I have more [reasons].

Confidence » Who has no confidence in the flesh
Flesh » Who has no confidence in the flesh
Trust » Of saints, is » Not in the flesh

Philippians 3:5 (show verse)

[I was] circumcised eight days after I was born; [I am] from the nation of Israelites; from the tribe of Benjamin and of Hebrew ancestry [i.e., an outstanding Hebrew]. As far as the law of Moses is concerned, [I am] a Pharisee [i.e., a strict sect of the Jewish religion].

Benjamin » Tribe of » Paul, of the tribe of
tribe of Benjamin » Celebrated persons of; » Paul
Children » Circumcised on the eighth day
Circumcision » Performed on all males on the eighth day
Circumcision » Instances of » Paul
Hebrew » Applied to » And his descendants
Israel » Etc
Jews, the » Modern, divided into » Hebrews or pure jews
Paul » A zealous pharisee
Paul » From the tribe of benjamin,
Pharisees » Character of » Outwardly moral
Pharisees » Character of » Zealous of the law

Philippians 3:6 (show verse)

As far as enthusiasm is concerned, I persecuted the church; as far as being righteous according to the law of Moses is concerned, I was without just blame.

Bigotry » Instances of » Of saul, in persecuting the Christians
Christian conduct » Blamelessness
Evil » Zeal » Against » Manifested by evil men in pursuing their plans
Persecution » Spirit of--exemplified
Pharisees » Character of » Outwardly moral
Righteousness » Saints » Put no trust in their own
Zeal » Evil » Manifested by evil men in pursuing their plans

Philippians 3:7 (show verse)

However, those things which were [once regarded as] gain to me, I have [now] considered to be loss for [the sake of] Christ.

Consecration » Entire consecration, examples of » Paul the apostle
Entire consecration » Entire consecration, examples of » Paul the apostle
Paul » Characteristics of » Entire consecration
Righteousness » Saints » Put no trust in their own
Righteousness imputed » Exemplified » Paul
Sacrifices » Figurative » Of self-denial
Self-denial » Instances of » Paul, in not regarding even his life dear to himself
Self-righteousness » Saints renounce
Suffering » Those that suffer for jesus Christ
The Surrendered life » Entire consecration, examples of » Paul the apostle

Philippians 3:8 (show verse)

What is more, I consider everything to be a loss compared to the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus [as] my Lord, for whose sake I have suffered the loss of all things. [I now] consider [all of] them to be trash, in order to gain Christ

Christ » Precious » Paul's estimate of
Consecration » Entire consecration, examples of » Paul the apostle
Entire consecration » Entire consecration, examples of » Paul the apostle
Gain through loss » Paul gave up all, and won the great prize
Justification before God » Exemplified » Paul
Knowledge » Of Christ
Leaving all » Paul's renunciation
Paul » Characteristics of » Entire consecration
Preciousness of Christ » To saints
Renunciation » Renunciations of all things for Christ » Paul's renunciation
Righteousness » Saints » Put no trust in their own
Righteousness imputed » Exemplified » Paul
Sacrifices » Figurative » Of self-denial
Self-denial » Instances of » Paul, in not regarding even his life dear to himself
Self-righteousness » Not being self-righteousness via the law
Self-righteousness » Saints renounce
Spiritual » Transformation characters transformed by conversion » Treasures
Spiritual » Of children encouraged » Investments
Suffering » Those that suffer for jesus Christ
The fruit of righteousness » The righteousness of the lord
The Surrendered life » Entire consecration, examples of » Paul the apostle
spiritual Treasures » Enrich the life » How secured

Philippians 3:9 (show verse)

and to be found in [fellowship with] Him, not having a righteousness of my own, acquired by observing the law of Moses, but one acquired through believing in Christ. This righteousness, which comes from God, is based on faith.

Abiding in Christ » Results in » Robe of righteousness
Christ » Opinions concerning » Our righteousness
Christ » Abiding in » Robe of righteousness
Faith/faithfulness » What is achieved through and by the faith of jesus Christ
Abiding in Christ » Robe of righteousness
Justification » Justification by faith
Justification before God » Exemplified » Paul
Paul » Characteristics of » Entire consecration
Righteousness imputed » Exemplified » Paul
Righteousness imputed » Saints » Desire to be found in
Self-righteousness » Not being self-righteousness via the law
Self-righteousness » Saints renounce
Suffering » Those that suffer for jesus Christ
The fruit of righteousness » The righteousness of the lord
Union with Christ » Beneficial results of » Righteousness imputed

Philippians 3:10 (show verse)

I want to know Christ [as Savior] and to experience the power [produced] by His resurrection, and to share in His sufferings and become like Him in His death,

Denial of Christ » In practice
Paul » Characteristics of » Entire consecration
Jesus Christ, Resurrection » Saints » Desire to know the power of
Self-righteousness » Not being self-righteousness via the law
Self-righteousness » Saints renounce
Suffering » For Christ
Suffering » Those that suffer for jesus Christ
Union with Christ » Saints » Have, in sufferings

Philippians 3:11 (show verse)

in order to, somehow, be raised out of the dead [i.e., to have never ending life].

Paul » Characteristics of » Entire consecration
The Resurrection » Saints should look forward to
The Roman empire » Allusions to grecian game adapted by » Foot races
Self-righteousness » Not being self-righteousness via the law

Philippians 3:12 (show verse)

[It is] not that I have already arrived at the goal [of spiritual maturity], or have already been made perfectly [righteous], but I am pushing onward in order to take hold of what Christ Jesus took hold of me for [i.e., to receive all that Christ intended for me].

Grace of God » Growth in
Paul » Characteristics of » Entire consecration
Perfection » Saints follow after
Perfection » Saints claim not
The Roman empire » Allusions to grecian game adapted by » Foot races

Philippians 3:13 (show verse)

Brothers, I consider that I, myself, have not yet taken hold [of Christ's ultimate purpose for me]. But there is one thing that I am doing; I am forgetting about my past [See verses 5-7], and reaching forward to what lies ahead.

Ambition » Ambition, worldly, examples of » Holy ambition, general references to
Diligence » Required by God in » Striving after perfection
Diligence » Striving after perfection
Grace of God » Growth in
Holy » General references to » Ambition
Life's purpose » Attaining Christlikeness
One thing » To do
Paul » Characteristics of » Entire consecration
Purpose » Of life » Attaining Christlikeness
The Roman empire » Allusions to grecian game adapted by » Foot races
Steadfastness » Seven notable examples of » In moving forward toward the goal
Straightforwardness » Moving forward toward the goal

Philippians 3:14 (show verse)

I am pushing onward toward the goal for the prize of the upward call [i.e., to heaven] from God in [fellowship with] Christ.

Ambition » Ambition, worldly, examples of » Holy ambition, general references to
Athletics » The Christian life compared to a foot-race » Pressing toward the goal
The call of God » To man is » High
Christian race » The Christian life compared to a foot-race » Pressing toward the goal
Diligence » Required by God in » Striving after perfection
Diligence » Striving after perfection
Earnestness » In prayer » In seeking salvation
Games » Figurative » Of the Christian life
Grace of God » Growth in
Holy » General references to » Ambition
Life's purpose » Attaining Christlikeness
Likemindedness » Being likeminded
Paul » Characteristics of » Entire consecration
Prize » Figurative
Purpose » Of life » Attaining Christlikeness
the Reward of saints » The prospect of, should lead to » Pressing forward
the Reward of saints » Described as » The prize of the high calling of God in Christ
The Roman empire » Allusions to grecian game adapted by » Foot races
The Roman empire » Allusions to grecian game adapted by » Crowning of conquerors
Spiritual » Sowing » Striving
Striving » What to strive for

Philippians 3:15 (show verse)

So, all of us who are mature [Christians] should think this way. And if you people think differently about anything, God will reveal that to you also.

Grace of God » Growth in
Likemindedness » Being likeminded
Perfection » All saints have, in Christ

Philippians 3:16 (show verse)

So, we should continue living by the same [standard] that we have [already] attained.

Likemindedness » Being likeminded
Unity » Of the righteous
Walking » With God » By the gospel rule

Philippians 3:17 (show verse)

Brothers, you people should join together in imitating me, and take note of those who are following my example.

Christian ministers » Duties of the church to
Christian ministers » Examples to the flock
Example » Inspiration of example » Paul's example
Example » Paul, our
Ministers » Should be » Ensamples to the flock
Ministers » Their people are bound, to » Follow their holy example
Paul's » Example
Unity » Of the righteous

Philippians 3:18 (show verse)

For I have often told you before, and am telling you again with tears in my eyes, that many people are living as the enemies of the cross of Christ [i.e., their lives oppose the purpose of Christ's death].

Christ » Cross of » Enemies of
Cross » Figurative
Cross of Christ » Enemies of
Denial of Christ » In practice
Glory » Whose glory is in their shame
Names » Of the wicked » Enemies of the cross
Pathway of sin » Walking in
Paul » Characteristics of » Earnestness
Shame » Whose glory is in their shame
Sinful » The whole imitation of worldly people and customs condemned » Walk
Solicitude » For the wayward
Titles and names of the wicked » Enemies of the cross of Christ
Walk » Characteristics of » Sinful
Weeping » Instances of » Of paul

Philippians 3:19 (show verse)

Their [ultimate] end is [spiritual] destruction; their god is their appetite; they boast of what they ought to be ashamed of, and they [constantly] think about worldly things.

Character » Of the wicked » Sensual
Character » Of the wicked » Glorying in their shame
Character of the wicked » Sensual
Character of the wicked » Glorying in their shame
the Earth » Man » By nature minds the thing of
Glory » Whose glory is in their shame
Glory » Of the wicked » Is in their shame
Glory » Temporal » Of the wicked is in their shame
Gluttony » The wicked addicted to
Idolatry » Consists in » Sensuality
Shame » Whose glory is in their shame
The wicked » Devices of » End of

Philippians 3:20 (show verse)

But we are [really] citizens of heaven and we are waiting for a Savior [to return] from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,

Body » Jesus Christ changing your body
Change » The lord changing believers
Citizens » Figurative
heavenly Citizenship » Furnishes an undying hope
Commonwealth » Figurative » rv margin
Heavenly » Citizenship » Furnishes an undying hope
Pilgrims and strangers » As saints they » Have a heavenly conversation
Redemption » They who partake of » Wait for the completion of
Rewards at advent » Bestowed upon believers » Likeness to the king
Second coming of Christ » Rewards at, bestowed upon believers » Likeness to the king
The second coming of Christ » Saints » Look for
the future » Rewards at, bestowed upon believers » Likeness to the king

Philippians 3:21 (show verse)

who will change our lowly [physical] bodies and make them like His glorious body. [He will do this] according to the power that enables Him even to bring everything into submission to Himself.

Ability » God's Ability » To subdue all things
Assurance » Saints privileged to have, of » A glorious resurrection
Assurance » Saints privileged to have » A glorious resurrection
Body » Resurrection of » Spiritual
Body » Jesus Christ changing your body
Change » The lord changing believers
Jesus Christ, Deity Of » As omnipotent
Christlikeness » The ultimate aim of the Christian life
Family Joy » Future » Maternal and paternal love » Saints glorified
Glory » The bodies of saints shall be raised in
Glory » Eternal » The bodies of saints shall be raised in
Power » Of Christ » Bodies of, will be changed by
Power » Of Christ » Is able to subdue all things
The power of Christ » Saints » Bodies of, shall be changed by
The power of Christ » Is able to subdue all things
Redemption » They who partake of » Wait for the completion of
Jesus Christ, Resurrection » Saints » Shall rise in the likeness of
The Resurrection » Saints in, shall » Have bodies like Christ's
Rewards at advent » Bestowed upon believers » Likeness to the king
Saints » Death of » Glorified
Second coming of Christ » Rewards at, bestowed upon believers » Likeness to the king
The second coming of Christ » Shall be like him at
Spiritual » Physical inflicted physical healed » Body
the future » No more » Saints glorified
the future » Rewards at, bestowed upon believers » Likeness to the king