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John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 3:1-21

Dangers and Hopes of the Present SituationV. Interjected Warnings (Philippians 3:1-21)§ 11. Philippians 3:1-6. Finally (lit. ’For the rest’), my brethren, brings the close of the letter in sight (see Intro.); the Apostle has only a few supplementary counsels to give—prefaced by the Rejoice in the Lord, which is the prevalent note of the Epistle (Philippians 1:4, Philippians 1:18, Philippians 1:26; Philippians 2:2, Philippians 2:17-18)—and to make acknowledgment of the contribution sent through... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Philippians 3:1-21

[7.Words of Warning (Philippians 3:1 to Philippians 4:3).(1) AGAINST THE JUDAISERS.(a)Warning against confidence “in the flesh,” illustrated by his own renunciation of all Jewish privileges and hopes, in order to have “the righteousness of Christ” (Philippians 3:1-9).(b)Warning against confidence in perfection as already attained, again illustrated by his own sense of imperfection and hope of continual progress (Philippians 3:10-16).(2) AGAINST THE ANTINOMIAN PARTY.Contrast of the sensual and... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Philippians 3:14

(14) The high calling of God.—Properly, the calling which is above—i.e. (much as in Colossians 3:12), “the heavenly calling,”—which is “of God,” proceeding from His will, for “whom He predestinated, them He also called” (Romans 8:30); and is “in Christ Jesus” in virtue of the unity with Him, in which we are at once justified and sanctified. read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Philippians 3:1-21

Beware of the Dogs Philippians 3:2-3 The text enshrines the presentation of a contrast on one side dark, forbidding, and revolting; on the other side radiant and alluring, 'Beware of the dogs: beware of the evil workers; beware of the concision'. What is all this but a solemn and urgent warning against externalism, against all dependence upon outward ordinance and form? What are the marks of true religion? Paul enumerates three, and they appear to me to be full and all-sufficient. I. The first... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Philippians 3:8-18

Chapter 11THE KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST.Philippians 3:8-18 (R.V.)MR. ALEXANDER KNOX, in a letter to a friend, makes the following remark: "Religion contains two sets of truths, which I may venture to denominate ultimate and mediatory: the former refer to God as an original and end; the latter to the Word made flesh, the suffering, dying, rising, ruling Saviour; the way, the truth, the life. Now I conceive these two views have almost ever been varying, in the minds even of the sincerely pious, with... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Philippians 3:12-17

Chapter 14CHRISTIAN LIFE A RACE.Philippians 3:12-17 (R.V.)VARIOUS passages in this Epistle suggest that the Apostle’s Philippian friends or some of them were relaxing in diligence; they were failing perhaps to lay to heart the need of progress, less sensitive than they ought to be to the impulse of Christianity as a religion of effort and expectancy. Some of them, it might be, were inclined to think of themselves as now pretty well initiated into the new religion, and as pretty thorough adepts... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Philippians 3:1-21

III. CHRIST, THE OBJECT AND THE GOAL CHAPTER 3 1. The true circumcision (Philippians 3:1-3 ) 2. Paul’s past experience (Philippians 3:4-7 ) 3. The one passion (Philippians 3:8-11 ) 4. Pressing towards the mark (Philippians 3:12-16 ) 5. The goal of glory (Philippians 3:17-21 ) Philippians 3:1-3 Finally (or, for the rest), my brethren, rejoice in the “Lord.” Rejoicing in the Lord, not merely in the salvation which is ours, nor in His mercies, in His gifts or in our service, but in Him, is... read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 3:1-21

It is far from irksome to the apostle to turn again to speak of "rejoicing in the Lord." Simple and elementary as is his exhortation, he is not wearied in repeating "the same things ... .. For you it is safe" he assures them. Blessed it is that most fundamentally vital things are the most simple and clear, - yet bearing the most profound results. The springs of our souls' delight must be "in the Lord" Himself: this is the one secret of all soul-prosperity. Nothing must be allowed to usurp His... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Philippians 3:1-21

JOY IN PRAYERS This chapter opens with a warning against the Judaizing teachers whom we have met before (Philippians 3:1-3 ), and who followed Paul everywhere teaching that the keeping of the ceremonial law of Moses was necessary to salvation. The “dogs,” the “evil workers” and the “concision” of Philippians 3:2 all refer to them, the last word being a parody of what circumcision meant in the Old Testament. These false teachers were not the true circumcision, or the true Israelites, who are... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Philippians 3:1-21

Religious Joys Php 3:1 A flower in a well-stocked garden excites no surprise. When a traveller found a flower under a glacier, he was more affected by it because it grew under the cold bosom of the ice than he would have been by the most gorgeous garden bloom. Times and places are considerations which naturally affect our estimation of men and things. This little violet of joy is growing under a glacier: Paul is in prison, daily suffering is meted out to him by the tyrant, and yet he boldly... read more

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