PHIL.

3:3.

GOODNESS THROUGH FAITH.

239

For we are those who are circumcised in the true sense of that term, we, whose worship is prompted by the Spirit of God, and who boast as a follower of Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in carnal nature, though I myself might have confidence even in carnal nature.

If any one else thinks he can rely on carnal nature, I more so :

Circumcised the eighth day,

Of the race of Israel,

Of the tribe of Benjamin,

A Hebrew of Hebrews;

As regards the law, a Pharisee,

As regards zeal, persecuting the Church,

As regards the goodness which is in the law,
I was blameless.

But those things which were once to my credit, I have now come to consider, for the Christ's sake, as loss. Yes, and more than that, for I am considering everything else as loss because of the surpassing worth of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of everything and am now considering them as so much dirt, so that I may gain Christ, and be found in him, not with my own goodness which comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the goodness which is derived from God on the basis of faith. And my object in this is to get

3: 10.

to know Christ and the power which flows from his resurrection, and a share in his sufferings, in the hope that, if I become like him in his death, I may in some way attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have ever yet received it, nor have already been made perfect. But I keep pressing on in the hope of laying hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brothers, I, for my part, do not consider myself as having yet laid hold of it. But the one thing I keep doing is this, forgetting what is behind, and straining every nerve towards what is in front, I press on towards the goal to gain the prize of the heavenly calling which God has given me in Christ Jesus. So let as many of us as are mature take this view of life. Then, if, on any point, you take a different view God will make that also plain to you. Only let us order our lives by the standard to which we have already attained.

Join each other in becoming imitators of me, brothers, and keep your eyes fixed on those who are living by the pattern which we have set you. For there are many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even in tears, who are living as the enemies of the cross of the Christ, whose end is destruction, whose God is their stomach, and whose glory is in their shame, whose minds are set on earthly things. For the state to which we be

PHIL.

3: 20.

HARMONY AND GLADNESS.

241

long is in heaven, and from there also we are eagerly looking for a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. He shall fashion anew the body which belongs to us in our state of humility, so that it may be conformed to the body which belongs to him in his glorified state, by the exercise of his ability to bring everything into subjection to himself.

So, then, my dear and longed-for brothers, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord just as I have urged you, my dear brothers.

I beg Euodia, and I beg Syntyche to live in harmony as followers of the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, my genuine fellow-burden-bearer, to help them. For they worked with me in the spread of the Good News, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow-laborers, whose names are in the book of life.

Be glad in the Lord always.

Again I will say: Be glad.

Let your gentleness be known to all men.
The Lord is near.

Be anxious about nothing.

On the contrary, under all circumstances, By prayer and by entreaty with thanksgiving,

Let your requests be made known to God. Then the peace of God which is beyond human conception,

4:7.

Will keep guard over your thoughts and your feelings, in Christ Jesus.

In conclusion, brothers,

Whatever is true, and worthy of reverence,
Whatever is right and pure,

Whatever is lovely, and fair;

If there is any virtue, if there is any honor, Let these be the objects of your thought. What you have both learned and received from me,

And heard and seen in me,

Let these be the objects of your activity.
Then the God of peace will be with you.

I am very glad, as a follower of the Lord, that your interest in me has now at length revived. It is, indeed, true that you have all along been interested in me, but you had no opportunity of showing it. Do not think I am saying this simply because I am in need. For I, for my part, have learned to be independent of circumstances in whatever condition I find myself. I know how to be humbled by want, and I also know how to bear abundant prosperity. Into every human experience have I been initiated. I have been full of food, and I have been hungry, I have had plenty and I have been in want. For everything have I the strength, in union with him who keeps strengthening me. Yet you have acted nobly in

PHIL. 4:14.

ENOUGH AND TO SPARE.

243

sharing my trouble with me. And you yourselves also know, Philippians, that, when the Good News was first being made known, and I went out from Macedonia, no Church, with the one exception of yourselves, took a share with me in the account of giving and receiving. For even while I was in Thessalonica you sent, not only once but twice, to supply my need. Not that I am eager for your gifts. I am rather eager for the abundant return to be placed to your account. But I have enough of everything and to spare. My wants are fully satisfied now that I have received from Epaphras what you sent me. It is as a sweet smelling odor, a sacrifice, pleasant and acceptable to God. And my God, from the wealth of his divine perfection, and in proportion to its greatness, will fully supply your every need as followers of Christ Jesus.

Now to our God and Father

Be the praise forever and ever.

Amen.

Give our best wishes to every devoted follower of Christ Jesus.

The brothers who are with me send you their best wishes.

All those who have devoted themselves to the service of Christ send you their best wishes, and especially those of Cæsar's household.

The favor of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.