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. (Php 4:4; 1Th 5:16; 2Pe 1:12)2Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. (Ps 22:16; Ps 22:20; Isa 56:10; 2Co 11:13; Ga 5:15; Re 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— (Joh 4:23; Ro 2:29; Ro 15:17; Ga 5:25; Ga 6:14; Jud 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: (2Co 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; (Ge 17:12; Ac 23:6; Ac 26:5; Ro 11:1; 2Co 11:22)6as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law,[3] blameless. (Ac 8:3; Ac 22:3; Ga 1:13; Php 3:9)7But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. (Lu 14:33; Heb 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 (Isa 53:11; Jer 9:23; Lu 9:25; Joh 17:3; 2Co 5:15; 2Pe 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— (Ro 9:30; Ro 10:5; 1Co 1:30; Php 3:6)10that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, (Ro 1:4; Ro 6:5; 2Co 1:5; Eph 4:13; 1Pe 4:13)11that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. (Ac 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. (1Ti 6:12; 1Ti 6:19; Heb 5:9; Heb 11:40; Heb 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, (Ps 45:10; Lu 9:62; Heb 6:1)14I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Ro 8:28; 1Co 9:24; Heb 3:1; 1Pe 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. (Mt 5:48; Joh 7:17; 1Co 2:6; Ga 5:10)16Only let us hold true to what we have attained. (Ga 6:16)17Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. (1Co 4:16; Php 4:9; 1Pe 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. (Ac 20:31; 2Co 11:13)19Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. (Ho 4:7; Ro 8:5; Ro 16:18; 2Co 11:12; 2Co 11:15; Ga 6:13; Col 3:2; 2Th 1:9; 2Pe 2:1; 2Pe 2:3; Jud 1:13)20But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, (Ac 1:11; 1Co 1:7; Eph 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. (Ro 8:29; 1Co 15:28; 1Co 15:43; Eph 1:19; Php 3:10; Col 3:4)