Philippians 3
King James Version (1769) · Tap a verse to see it in context
About this chapter
AI-assisted, sourcedPaul warns against those who put "confidence in the flesh," and says that if anyone could boast in the flesh, he could: circumcised, "an Hebrew of the Hebrews," a Pharisee, blameless in the law's righteousness. But he counts all that loss "for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord," wanting the righteousness "which is of God by faith," and to "know him, and the power of his resurrection." Not yet perfect, he presses "toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God," for "our conversation is in heaven," from where we look for the Saviour. Philippians 3:2Philippians 3:3Philippians 3:4Philippians 3:5Philippians 3:6Philippians 3:7Philippians 3:8Philippians 3:9Philippians 3:10Philippians 3:12Philippians 3:14Philippians 3:20Philippians overview
Who, where, when, and the key verses
Who
Paul, who describes himself as "of the tribe of Benjamin," a Pharisee who once persecuted the church; those he calls "dogs" and "evil workers"; and "the enemies of the cross of Christ." Philippians 3:2Philippians 3:5Philippians 3:6Philippians 3:18Philippians overview
Where
Philippi; the chapter names no place, but says, "our conversation is in heaven." Philippians 3:20Philippians overview
When
Traditionally about AD 61-62, during Paul's imprisonment in Rome. Almost all scholars accept that Paul wrote it; some place it during an imprisonment at Ephesus or Caesarea. Philippians overview
How it fits
Chapter 2 ended with Epaphroditus, who for the work of Christ was "nigh unto death, not regarding his life"; here Paul counts his own gains as loss for Christ. Chapter 4 begins, "Therefore, my brethren... so stand fast in the Lord." Philippians 2:30Philippians 3:7Philippians 3:8Philippians 4:1Philippians overview
Key verses
- Verse 8
"I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord." Philippians 3:7Philippians 3:8
- Verse 9
Paul wants to "be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith." Philippians 3:9Philippians overview
- Verse 14
"Forgetting those things which are behind... I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." 1 Corinthians 9:24 says, "So run, that ye may obtain." Philippians 3:13Philippians 3:141 Corinthians 9:24
Takeaway
Nothing you have achieved compares with knowing Christ; trust his righteousness, not your own, and keep pressing on toward the goal. Philippians 3:8Philippians 3:9Philippians 3:14
Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a separate AI reader. Updated 2026-10-29.
No confidence in the flesh
1Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe. 2Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. 3For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. 4Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: 5Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 6Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. 7But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
Pressing toward the mark
12Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 15Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. 16Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
Our citizenship in heaven
17Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. 18(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) 20For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.