1Finally, my brothers,[1] rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you. (腓4:4; 帖前5:16; 彼后1:12)2Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. (诗22:16; 诗22:20; 赛56:10; 林后11:13; 加5:15; 启22:15)3For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God[2] and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— (约4:23; 羅2:29; 羅15:17; 加5:25; 加6:14; 犹1:20)4though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: (林后11:18)5circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; (创17:12; 徒23:6; 徒26:5; 羅11:1; 林后11:22)6as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law,[3] blameless. (徒8:3; 徒22:3; 加1:13; 腓3:9)7But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. (路14:33; 來11:26)8Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ (赛53:11; 耶9:23; 路9:25; 约17:3; 林后5:15; 彼后1:3)9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— (羅9:30; 羅10:5; 林前1:30; 腓3:6)10that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, (羅1:4; 羅6:5; 林后1:5; 弗4:13; 彼前4:13)11that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. (徒26:7)
Straining Toward the Goal
12Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. (提前6:12; 提前6:19; 來5:9; 來11:40; 來12:23)13Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, (诗45:10; 路9:62; 來6:1)14I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (羅8:28; 林前9:24; 來3:1; 彼前5:10)15Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. (太5:48; 约7:17; 林前2:6; 加5:10)16Only let us hold true to what we have attained. (加6:16)17Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. (林前4:16; 腓4:9; 彼前5:3)18For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. (徒20:31; 林后11:13)19Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. (何4:7; 羅8:5; 羅16:18; 林后11:12; 林后11:15; 加6:13; 西3:2; 帖后1:9; 彼后2:1; 彼后2:3; 犹1:13)20But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, (徒1:11; 林前1:7; 弗2:19)21who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. (羅8:29; 林前15:28; 林前15:43; 弗1:19; 腓3:10; 西3:4)