Bible Commentaries

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

Philippians 3

Clinging to a Counterfeit Cross
Verse 1

in. App-104.

Lord. App-98.

not. App-105.

grievous = irksome. Greek. oknneros. See Romans 12:11.

safe. Greek. asphales. See Acts 21:34.


Verse 2

Beware. App-133.

evil, App-128.

concision. Greek. katatome. Only here. The verb katatemno Occurs in the Septuagint of heathen mutilations. Leviticus 21:5. 1 Kings 18:28. Paul regards the circumcision of the Judaizers as a mere ordinance, no better than a heathen one. Compare Romans 2:26-29. 1 Corinthians 7:19, Galatians 1:5, Galatians 1:6; Galatians 6:15.


Verse 3

the circumcision. i.e. the true circumcision. Greek. peritome. Note the Paronomasia (App-6) Katatome, peritome.

worship. App-137 and App-190.

God. App-98. All the texts have Theou., instead of Theo, making it dependent upon pneumati, and reading, "worship by the spirit of God", i.e. the new nature. App-101. Compare Romans 8:9.

and rejoice = rejoicing, or glorying.

Christ Jesus. App-98.

have, &c. = not (App-105) trusting (App-150.)


Verse 4

I might, &c. = having myself confidence (App-150.) in the flesh also. Here Paul takes the Judaizers on their own ground.

If. App-118.

any other man = any (App-123.) other (App-124.)

that . . . trust. Literally to have confidence.

trust. App-150.


Verse 5

Circumcised = In circumcision, as in Philippians 3:3.

of. App-104.

stock. Greek. genos. 1 Corinthians 12:10 (kind). Galatians 1:1, Galatians 1:14 (nation).

the Hebrews. Omit "the". He refers to his parents, both Hebrews.

as touching = according to. App-104.

Pharisee. App-120.


Verse 6

Concerning, touching. App-104.

church. App-186.

righteousness. App-191.

blameless = found blameless, i.e. before men. Compare Acts 24:20.


Verse 7

gain. Greek. kerdos. See Philippians 1:21. Note the seven gains in verses: Philippians 3:5, Philippians 3:6

counted. Same as "esteem", Philippians 2:3.

loss. Greek. zemia. See Acts 27:10.

for. App-104. Philippians 3:2.

Christ. App-98.


Verse 8

excellency = excelling. Greek. huperecho. See Philippians 2:3.

knowledge. App-132.

Lord. App-98.

suffered, &c. Greek. zemioo. See 1 Corinthians 3:15.

be dung = to be dung. Greek. skubalon. Only here.

that = in order that. Greek. hina.

win = gain. kerdaino. Occurs sixteen times, translated gain except here, and 1 Peter 3:1. First occurance: Matthew 16:26.


Verse 9

not. App-105.

mine own, &c. = any . . . of mine.

through. App-104. Philippians 3:1.

the faith of Christ = Christ's faith. See Hebrews 12:2.

faith. App-150.

by. App-104.


Verse 10

know. App-132.

power. App-172.

resurrection. App-178.

sufferings. Compare 2 Corinthians 1:5-7. 1 Peter 4:13.

being made conformable. Greek. summorphoomai. Only here. See Philippians 3:21.

unto = to.


Verse 11

If. App-118.

by any means. As Acts 27:12.

attain. Greek. katantao. See Acts 16:1.

unto. App-104.

resurrection = out-resurrection. App-178. Only here.

of the dead. All the texts read, "the one from (Greek. ek) the dead", making the expression emphatic. App-189. The term resurrection of the dead (anastasis nekron) is of frequent occurrence (Matthew 22:31. Acts 17:32; Acts 23:6. 1 Corinthians 15:12, 1 Corinthians 15:13, 1 Corinthians 15:21, 1 Corinthians 15:42. Hebrews 6:2, &c.), and includes the resurrection to life, of the just, and the resurrection to judgment, of the unjust (John 5:29. Acts 24:15. Daniel 12:2). Resurrection from the dead (ek nekron) implies the resurrection of some, the former of these two classes, the others being left behind. See Luke 20:35. Acts 4:2. Paul had no doubt of attaining to this, as may he seen from 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17, written some ten years before. The exanastasis must therefore mean a further selection of some before the anastasis of 1 Thessalonians 4:14, and Paul was not yet sure of attaining to this. Perhaps he had the assurance when he wrote 2 Timothy 4:7. It is noteworthy that there is no reference to any living ones being caught up, or any parousia of the Lord here, as in 1 Thessalonians 4:15, 1 Thessalonians 4:16,


Verse 12

as though = that.

had. Omit.

attained = received.

perfect = perfected. App-125.

follow after. Same as Philippians 3:6 (persecuting), and Philippians 3:14 (press).

apprehend. Greek. katalambano. See John 1:5. Ephesians 3:18, The Greek adds "also",

for. App-104.

also, Read after "apprehended".

am = was.

of = by. App-104.


Verse 13

not. Many texts read "not yet".

reaching forth. Greek. epekteinomai. Only here.


Verse 14

press. Same as "follow after", Philippians 3:12.

toward App-104.

mark. Greek. skopos. Only here.

for. App-104., but the texts rend eis (App-104.),

prize. Greek. brabeion. Only here and 1 Corinthians 9:24.

high calling = the calling above, or on high (Greek. ano, see John 8:23). No shout, or voice of archangel or trampet here, as in 1 Thessalonians 4:16.


Verse 15

perfect. App-126.

be thus minded = have this in mind. Greek. phroneo, as in verses: Philippians 16:19.

be . . . minded. Same word.

otherwise. Greek. heteros. Only used thus here. Compare App-124.

reveal. App-106.

even = also.


Verse 16

whereto = to (App-104.) which (point).

attained. = come, as Matthew 12:28.

rule. Greek. kanon. See 2 Corinthians 10:13, but the texts omit "rule", &c.


Verse 17

be. Literally become.

followers together. Lit fellow-imitators. Greek. summimetes, Only here.

mark. Greek. skopeo. See Luke 11:35.

ensample. Greek. typos, pattern.


Verse 18

Philippians 3:18-19 = These verses form a Parembole, App-6.


Verse 19

end. Compare Romans 6:21. 2 Corinthians 11:15. Hebrews 6:8.

destruction. Same as "perdition", Philippians 1:28.

god. App-98.

belly. Compare Romans 16:18,

earthly. See Philippians 2:10.


Verse 20

conversation. Greek. politeuma, Only here in N.T. It sec, in the Septuagint and in 2 Macc. 12.7. The seat of the government of which we are citizens (Greek. polites), and of which we have both rights and responsibilities. Compare the verb, Philippians 1:27.

is = exists even now. Greek. huparcho. See Luke 9:48.

heaven = heavens. See Matthew 6:9, Matthew 6:10.

from. App-104.

whence = which, singular, referring to politeuma.

also. To follow "Saviour".

look for = eagerly wait for. Greek. apekdechomai. See Romans 8:19.

Jesus Christ. App-98.


Verse 21

change = transform, or change the fashion of. Greek. meta schematizo. See 1 Corinthians 4:6.

vile body = body of humiliation (Greek. tapeinosis. See Acts 8:33).

that it may be, The texts omit.

fashioned like = (to be) conformed. Greek. summorphos. See Romans 8:29, Compare Philippians 3:10 above. Notice the use of and contrast between schema, fashion, in metaschematizo, and morphe, form, in summorphos, and Compare Philippians 2:8.

His glorious body, the body of His glory. according to. App-104.

working. Greek. energeia. See Ephesians 1:19.

whereby He is able = of His ability.

subdue = subject. Compare 1 Corinthians 15:27, 1 Corinthians 15:28.

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