Philippians:3

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rwp @Philippians:3:1 @{Finally } (\to loipon \). Accusative of general reference , literally , "as for the rest ." Songs:again in strkjv @4:8 |. It (or just \loipon \) is a common phrase towards the close of Paul 's Epistles (2Thessalonians:3:1 ; strkjv @2Corinthians:13:11 |). In strkjv @Ephesians:6:10 | we have \tou loipou \ (genitive case ). But Paul uses the idiom elsewhere also as in strkjv @1Corinthians:7:29 ; strkjv @1Thessalonians:4:1 | before the close of the letter is in sight . It is wholly needless to understand Paul as about to finish and then suddenly changing his mind like some preachers who announce the end a half dozen times . {To write the same things } (\ta auta graphein \). Present active articular infinitive , "the going on writing the same things ." What things ? He has just used \chairete \ (go on rejoicing ) again and he will repeat it in strkjv @4:4 |. But in verse 2 | he uses \blepete \ three times . At any rate Paul , as a true teacher , is not afraid of repetition . {Irksome } (\okn ˆron \). Old adjective from \okne “\, to delay , to hesitate . It is not tiresome to me to repeat what is "safe " (\asphales \) for you . Old adjective from \a \ privative and \sphall “\, to totter , to reel . See strkjv @Acts:21:34 |. rwp @Philippians:3:2 @{Beware } (\blepete \). Three times for urgency and with different epithet for the Judaizers each time . {The dogs } (\tous kunas \). The Jews so termed the Gentiles which Jesus uses in a playful mood (\kunariois \, little dogs ) to the Syro-Phoenician woman (Matthew:15:26 |). Paul here turns the phrase on the Judaizers themselves . {The evil workers } (\tous kakous ergatas \). He had already called the Judaizers "deceitful workers " (\ergatai dolioi \) in strkjv @2Corinthians:11:13 |. {The concision } (\t ˆn katatom ˆn \). Late word for incision , mutilation (in contrast with \peritom ˆ\, circumcision ). In Symmachus and an inscription . The verb \katatemn “\ is used in the LXX only of mutilations (Leviticus:21:5 ; strkjv @1Kings:18:28 |). rwp @Philippians:3:3 @{For we } (\h ˆmeis gar \). We believers in Christ , the children of Abraham by faith , whether Jew or Gentile , the spiritual circumcision in contrast to the merely physical (Romans:2:25-29 ; strkjv @Colossians:2:11 ; strkjv @Ephesians:2:11 |). See strkjv @Galatians:5:12 | for \apotemnein \ (to cut off ) in sense of mutilation also . {By the Spirit of God } (\pneumati theou \). Instrumental case , though the dative case as the object of \latreu “\ makes good sense also (worshipping the Spirit of God ) or even the locative (worshipping in the Spirit of God ). {No } (\ouk \). Actual condition rather than \m ˆ\ with the participle . {In the flesh } (\en sarki \). Technical term in Paul 's controversy with the Judaizers (2Corinthians:11:18 ; Gal strkjv @6:13f .|). External privileges beyond mere flesh . rwp @Philippians:3:4 @{Might have } (\ech “n \). Rather , "even though myself having ." {Confidence } (\pepoith ˆsin \). Late word , condemned by the Atticists , from \pepoitha \ (just used ). See strkjv @2Corinthians:1:15 ; strkjv @3:4 |. rwp @Philippians:3:5 @{Thinketh to have confidence } (\dokei pepoithenai \). Second perfect active infinitive . Old idiom , "seems to himself to have confidence ." Later idiom like strkjv @Matthew:3:9 | "think not to say " and strkjv @1Corinthians:11:16 |, "thinks that he has ground of confidence in himself ." {I yet more } (\eg “ mallon \). "I have more ground for boasting than he " and Paul proceeds to prove it in the rest of verses 5 ,6 |. {Circumcised the eighth day } (\peritom ˆi okta ˆmeros \). "In circumcision (locative case ) an eighth day man ." Use of the ordinal with persons like \tetartaios \ (John:11:39 |). Ishmaelites were circumcised in the thirteenth year , proselytes from Gentiles in mature age , Jews on the eighth day (Luke:2:21 |). {Of the stock of Israel } (\ek genous Isra ˆl \). Of the original stock , not a proselyte . {Benjamin } (\Beniamin \). Son of the right hand (that is , left-handed ), son of Rachel . The first King , Saul (Paul 's own Hebrew name ) was from this little tribe . The battle cry of Israel was "After thee , O Benjamin " (Judges:5:14 |). {A Hebrew of the Hebrews } (\Ebraios ex Ebrai “n \). Of Hebrew parents who retained the characteristic qualities in language and custom as distinct from the Hellenistic Jews (Acts:6:1 |). Paul was from Tarsus and knew Greek as well as Aramaic (Acts:21:40 ; strkjv @22:2 |) and Hebrew , but he had not become Hellenized . {A Pharisee } (\Pharisaios \). In distinction from the Sadducees (Galatians:1:14 |) and he continued a Pharisee in many essential matters like the doctrine of the resurrection (Acts:23:6 |). Cf . strkjv @2Corinthians:11:22 |. rwp @Philippians:3:6 @{As touching zeal } (\kata z ˆlos \). Songs:the old MSS . treating \z ˆlos \ as neuter , not masculine . He was a zealot against Christianity , "persecuting the church " (\di “k “n t ˆn ekkl ˆsian \). He was the ringleader in the persecution from the death of Stephen till his own conversion (Acts:8:1-9:9 |). {Found blameless } (\genomenos amemptos \). "Having become blameless " (Galatians:1:14 |). He knew and practised all the rules of the rabbis . A marvellous record , scoring a hundred in Judaism . rwp @Philippians:3:7 @{Were gain to me } (\en moi kerd ˆ\). "Were gains (plural , see on ¯1:21 |) to me (ethical dative )." Paul had natural pride in his Jewish attainments . He was the star of hope for Gamaliel and the Sanhedrin . {Have I counted } (\h ˆg ˆmai \). Perfect middle indicative , state of completion and still true . {Loss } (\z ˆmian \). Old word for damage , loss . In N .T . only in Phil . and strkjv @Acts:27:10 ,21 |. Debit side of the ledger , not credit . rwp @Philippians:3:8 @{Yea , verily , and } (\alla men oun ge kai \). Five particles before Paul proceeds (yea , indeed , therefore , at least , even ), showing the force and passion of his conviction . He repeats his affirmation with the present middle indicative (\h ˆgoumai \), "I still count all things loss for the excellency of the knowledge (\to huperechon \, the surpassingness , neuter articular participle of \huperech “\, strkjv @Phillipians:2:3 |) of Christ Jesus my Lord ." {Dung } (\skubala \). Late word of uncertain etymology , either connected with \sk “r \ (dung ) or from \es kunas ball “\, to fling to the dogs and so refuse of any kind . It occurs in the papyri . Here only in the N .T . {That I may gain Christ } (\hina Christon kerd ˆs “\). First aorist active subjunctive of \kerda “\, Ionic form for \kerdain “\ with \hina \ in purpose clause . Paul was never satisfied with his knowledge of Christ and always craved more fellowship with him . rwp @Philippians:3:9 @{Be found in him } (\heureth “ en aut “i \). First aorist (effective ) passive subjunctive with \hina \ of \heurisk “\. At death (2Corinthians:5:3 |) or when Christ comes . Cf . strkjv @2:8 ; strkjv @Galatians:2:17 |. {Through faith in Christ } (\dia piste “s Christou \). The objective genitive \Christou \, not subjective , as in strkjv @Galatians:2:16 ,20 ; strkjv @Romans:3:22 |. Explained further by \epi t ˆi pistei \ (on the basis of faith ) as in strkjv @Acts:3:16 |. rwp @Philippians:3:10 @{That I may know him } (\tou gn “nai auton \). Genitive of the articular second aorist (ingressive ) active infinitive (purpose ) of \gin “sk “\, to have personal acquaintance or experience with . This is Paul 's major passion , to get more knowledge of Christ by experience . {The power of his resurrection } (\t ˆn dunamin t ˆs anastase “s autou \). Power (Lightfoot ) in the sense of assurance to believers in immortality (1Corinthians:15:14f .; strkjv @Romans:8:11 |), in the triumph over sin (Romans:4:24f .|), in the dignity of the body (1Corinthians:6:13ff .; strkjv @Phillipians:3:21 |), in stimulating the moral and spiritual life (Galatians:2:20 ; strkjv @Romans:6:4f .; strkjv @Colossians:2:12 ; strkjv @Ephesians:2:5 |). See Westcott 's _The Gospel of the Resurrection_ , ii , 31 . {The fellowship of his sufferings } (\t ˆn koin “nian t “n path ˆmat “n autou \). Partnership in (objective genitive ) his sufferings , an honour prized by Paul (Co strkjv @1:24 |). {Becoming conformed to his death } (\summorphizomenos t “i thanat “i autou \). Present passive participle of \summorphiz “\, late verb from \summorphos \, found only here and ecclesiastical writers quoting it . The Latin Vulgate uses _configuro_ . See strkjv @Romans:6:4 | for \sumphutoi \ in like sense and strkjv @2Corinthians:4:10 |. "The agony of Gethsemane , not less than the agony of Calvary , will be reproduced however faintly in the faithful servant of Christ " (Lightfoot ). "In this passage we have the deepest secrets of the Apostle 's Christian experience unveiled " (Kennedy ). rwp @Philippians:3:11 @{If by any means I may attain } (\ei p “s katant ˆs “\). Not an expression of doubt , but of humility (Vincent ), a modest hope (Lightfoot ). For \ei p “s \, see strkjv @Romans:1:10 ; strkjv @11:14 | where \paraz ˆl “s “\ can be either future indicative or aorist subjunctive like \katant ˆs “\ here (see subjunctive \katalab “\ in verse 12 |), late compound verb \katanta “\. {Resurrection } (\exanastasin \). Late word , not in LXX , but in Polybius and one papyrus example . Apparently Paul is thinking here only of the resurrection of believers out from the dead and so double \ex \ (\ten exanastasin t ˆn ek nekr “n \). Paul is not denying a general resurrection by this language , but emphasizing that of believers . rwp @Philippians:3:12 @{Not that } (\ouch hoti \). To guard against a misunderstanding as in strkjv @John:6:26 ; strkjv @12:6 ; strkjv @2Corinthians:1:24 ; strkjv @Phillipians:4:11 ,17 |. {I have already obtained } (\ˆd ˆ elabon \). Rather , "I did already obtain ," constative second aorist active indicative of \lamban “\, summing up all his previous experiences as a single event . {Or am already made perfect } (\ˆ ˆd ˆ tetelei “mai \). Perfect passive indicative (state of completion ) of \teleio “\, old verb from \teleios \ and that from \telos \ (end ). Paul pointedly denies that he has reached a spiritual impasse of non - development . Certainly he knew nothing of so-called sudden absolute perfection by any single experience . Paul has made great progress in Christlikeness , but the goal is still before him , not behind him . {But I press on } (\di “k “ de \). He is not discouraged , but encouraged . He keeps up the chase (real idea in \di “k “\, as in strkjv @1Corinthians:14:1 ; strkjv @Romans:9:30 ; strkjv @1Timothy:6:11 |). {If so be that } (\ei kai \). "I follow after ." The condition (third class , \ei--katalab “\, second aorist active subjunctive of \katalamban “\) is really a sort of purpose clause or aim . There are plenty of examples in the _Koin ‚ _ of the use of \ei \ and the subjunctive as here (Robertson , _Grammar_ , p . 1017 ), "if I also may lay hold of that for which (\eph ' h “i \, purpose expressed by \epi \) I was laid hold of (\katel ˆmphth ˆn \, first aorist passive of the same verb \katalamban “\) by Christ Jesus ." His conversion was the beginning , not the end of the chase . rwp @Philippians:3:13 @{Not yet } (\oup “\). But some MSS . read \ou \ (not ). {To have apprehended } (\kateil ˆphenai \). Perfect active infinitive of same verb \katalamban “\ (perfective use of \kata \, to grasp completely ). Surely denial enough . {But one thing } (\hen de \). No verb in the Greek . We can supply \poi “\ (I do ) or \di “k “\ (I keep on in the chase ), but no verb is really needed . "When all is said , the greatest art is to limit and isolate oneself " (Goethe ), concentration . {Forgetting the things which are behind } (\ta men opis “ epilanthanomenos \). Common verb , usually with the genitive , but the accusative in the _Koin ‚ _ is greatly revived with verbs . Paul can mean either his old pre-Christian life , his previous progress as a Christian , or both (all of it ). {Stretching forward } (\epekteinomenos \). Present direct middle participle of the old double compound \epektein “\ (stretching myself out towards ). Metaphor of a runner leaning forward as he runs . rwp @Philippians:3:14 @{Toward the goal } (\kata skopon \). "Down upon the goal ," who is Jesus himself to whom we must continually look as we run (Hebrews:12:2 |). The word means a watchman , then the goal or mark . Only here in N .T . {Unto the prize } (\eis to brabeion \). Late word (Menander and inscriptions ) from \brabeus \ (umpire who awards the prize ). In N .T . only here and strkjv @1Corinthians:9:24 |. {Of the high calling } (\t ˆs an “ kl ˆse “s \). Literally , "of the upward calling ." The goal continually moves forward as we press on , but yet never out of sight . rwp @Philippians:3:15 @{As many as be perfect } (\hosoi teleioi \). Here the term \teleioi \ means relative perfection , not the absolute perfection so pointedly denied in verse 12 |. Paul here includes himself in the group of spiritual adults (see He strkjv @5:13 |). {Let us be thus minded } (\touto phron “men \). Present active volitive subjunctive of \phrone “\. "Let us keep on thinking this ," viz . that we have not yet attained absolute perfection . {If ye are otherwise minded } (\ei ti heter “s phroneite \). Condition of first class , assumed as true . That is , if ye think that ye are absolutely perfect . {Shall God reveal unto you } (\ho theos humin apokalupsei \). He turns such cases over to God . What else can he do with them ? {Whereunto we have already come } (\eis ho ephthasamen \). First aorist active indicative of \phthan “\, originally to come before as in strkjv @1Thessalonians:4:15 |, but usually in the _Koin ‚ _ simply to arrive , attain to , as here . rwp @Philippians:3:16 @{By that same rule let us walk } (\t “i aut “i stoichein \) Aleph A B do not have \kanoni \ (rule ). Besides \stoichein \ is the absolute present active infinitive which sometimes occurs instead of the principal verb as in strkjv @Romans:12:15 |. Paul means simply this that , having come thus far , the thing to do is to go "in the same path " (\t “i aut “i \) in which we have been travelling so far . A needed lesson for Christians weary with the monotony of routine in religious life and work . rwp @Philippians:3:17 @{Imitators together of me } (\sunmim ˆtai mou \). Found only here so far , though Plato uses \summimeisthai \. "Vie with each other in imitating me " (Lightfoot ). {Mark } (\skopeite \). Old verb from \skopos \ (verse 14 |). "Keep your eyes on me as goal ." Mark and follow , not avoid as in strkjv @Romans:16:17 |. {An ensample } (\tupon \). Originally the impression left by a stroke (John:20:25 |), then a pattern (mould ) as here (cf . strkjv @1Thessalonians:1:7 ; strkjv @1Corinthians:10:6 ,11 ; strkjv @Romans:5:14 ; strkjv @6:17 |). rwp @Philippians:3:18 @{I told you often } (\pollakis elegon \). Imperfect active , repetition in Paul s warnings to them . {Even weeping } (\kai klai “n \). Deep emotion as he dictated the letter and recalled these recreant followers of Christ (cf . strkjv @2Corinthians:2:4 |). {The enemies of the cross of Christ } (\tous echthrous tou staurou tou Christou \). Either the Judaizers who denied the value of the cross of Christ (Galatians:5:11 ; strkjv @6:12 ,14 |) or Epicurean antinomians whose loose living gave the lie to the cross of Christ (1John:2:4 |). rwp @Philippians:3:19 @{Whose god is the belly } (\hou to theos h ˆ koilia \). The comic poet Eupolis uses the rare word \Koiliodaim “n \ for one who makes a god of his belly and Seneca speaks of one who _abdomini servit_ . Sensuality in food , drink , sex then as now mastered some men . These men posed as Christians and gloried in their shame . {Who mind earthly things } (\hoi ta epigeia phronountes \). Anacoluthon . The nominative does not refer to \polloi \ at the beginning , but with the accusative \tous echthrous \ in between . See strkjv @Mark:12:40 |. rwp @Philippians:3:20 @{Our citizenship } (\h ˆm “n to politeuma \). Old word from \piliteu “\ (Phillipians:1:27 |), but only here in N .T . The inscriptions use it either for citizenship or for commonwealth . Paul was proud of his Roman citizenship and found it a protection . The Philippians were also proud of their Roman citizenship . But Christians are citizens of a kingdom not of this world (John:18:36 |). Milligan ( _Vocabulary_ ) doubts if commentators are entitled to translate it here : "We are a colony of heaven ," because such a translation reverses the relation between the colony and the mother city . But certainly here Paul 's heart is in heaven . {We wait for } (\apekdechometha \). Rare and late double compound (perfective use of prepositions like wait out ) which vividly pictures Paul 's eagerness for the second coming of Christ as the normal attitude of the Christian colonist whose home is heaven . rwp @Philippians:3:21 @{Shall fashion anew } (\metasch ˆmatisei \). Future active indicative of \metasch ˆmatiz “\ for which see strkjv @1Corinthians:4:6 ; strkjv @2Corinthians:11:13ff |. {Conformed to } (\summorphon \). For which (\sun , morph ˆ\) see strkjv @Romans:8:29 |, only N .T . examples . With associative instrumental case . The body of our state of humiliation will be made suitable to associate with the body of Christ 's glory (1Corinthians:15:54f .|). {According to the working } (\kata t ˆn energeian \). "According to the energy ." If any one doubts the power of Christ to do this transformation , Paul replies that he has power "even to subject all things unto himself ."

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