Philippians 3:4 KJV,ASV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Philippians 3:4-8

The apostle here proposes himself for an example of trusting in Christ only, and not in his privileges as an Israelite. I. He shows what he had to boast of as a Jew and a Pharisee. Let none think that the apostle despised these things (as men commonly do) because he had them not himself to glory in. No, if he would have gloried and trusted in the flesh, he had as much cause to do so as any man: If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof to trust in the flesh, I more, Phil. 3:4. He had as... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Philippians 3:4-7

3:4-7 And yet it remains true that I have every ground of confidence from the human point of view. If anyone has reason to think that he has grounds for confidence in his human heritage and attainments, I have more. I was circumcised when I was eight days old: I am of the race of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin: I am a Hebrew, born of Hebrew parents. As far as the Law goes, I was a Pharisee: as for zeal, I was a persecutor of the Churches: as for the righteousness which is in the Law, I was... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Philippians 3:4-7

So far Paul has been stating the privileges which came to him by birth; now he goes on to state his achievements in the Jewish faith. (i) He was a Hebrew born of Hebrew parents. This is not the same as to say that he was a true Israelite. The point is this. The history of the Jews had dispersed them all over the world. In every town and in every city and in every country there were Jews. There were tens of thousands of them in Rome; and in Alexandria there were more than a million. They... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Philippians 3:4

Though I might also have confidence in the flesh ,.... This he says, lest it should be objected to him, that the reason why he had no confidence in the flesh, and did not boast of it, was, because he could not; he had nothing to glory of, and put his confidence in, and therefore acted the common part of such persons, who despise what either they have not, or are ignorant of: but this was not the apostle's case, he had as much reason, and as good a foundation for trust in himself, his... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 3:4

Though I might also have confidence - If any of them have any cause to boast in outward rites and privileges, I have as much; yea, more. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 3:4

Verse 4 4Though I might also He does not speak of the disposition exercised by him, but he intimates, that he has also ground of glorying, if he were inclined to imitate their folly. The meaning therefore is, “My glorying, indeed, is placed in Christ, but, were it warrantable to glory in the flesh, I have also no want of materials.” And from this we learn in what manner to reprove the arrogance of those who glory in something apart from Christ. If we are ourselves in possession of those very... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:1-16

The true circumcision. Contemplated close of the Epistle. "Finally my brethren, rejoice in the Lord." It would seem that, at this point, the apostle contemplated bringing the Epistle to a close. He intimates that, in addition to what he has already said, he has only this further to say. He falls back on what has already been noticed as the key-note of the Epistle. Addressing them as his brethren, he calls upon them to rejoice in the Lord. He recognized no joy but what was in the Lord. We... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:4

Though I might also have confidence in the flesh ; literally, though having myself confidence in the flesh also ; that is , as well as in Christ. The apostle had both grounds of confidence: the one he renounces for the other; but no man could accuse him of despising that which he did not himself possess. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more . He claims the privileges of the Jew; they are his by right, but he counts them loss for Christ. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:4-7

The apostle's estimate of his high privileges as a Jew. The Judaists arrogated to themselves high privileges by virtue of their descent. The apostle shows that they can claim no superiority of privilege above himself, though he finds in these very privileges a quite insufficient ground of religious confidence. I. HE REPUDIATES SACRAMENTAL EFFICACY . "Circumcised the eighth day." He was thus distinguished alike from the proselyte, who was circumcised on his conversion, and from... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:4-7

Pride of birth and breeding. Having touched on the subject of self-confidence, Paul can quote his own experience on the point. For many years he thought he might plume himself even more than other men on his pedigree and his personal rower. He had lived in the haze of self-satisfaction, and could quote a genealogy and personal record second to none. It becomes amusing in a Pharisee of the first century, and yet we have people who are just as ridiculous in their pride of birth and of... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Philippians 3:4-8

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Philippians 3:4-7

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Philippians 3:4-7

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Philippians 3:4

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 3:4

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 3:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:1-16

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:4-7

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:4-7

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