Phili 3:12-4:1 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Phil 3:12-4:1: 3:12–4:1 Using himself as an example, Paul encourages the Philippians to pursue Christ and the hope of heaven with determination and strength.

Summary for Phil 3:12-4:1: 3:12–4:1 ^a Using himself as an example, Paul encourages the Philippians to pursue Christ and the hope of heaven with determination and strength.
Summary for Phil 3:13-14: 3:13-14 ^b the race: See study note on 2:16.

• Paul was willing to give up everything else for the ultimate goal, the heavenly prize of eternal life.
3:15 ^c Those who are spiritually mature (cp. 1 Cor 2:6 ^d; 3:1 ^e) will share Paul’s perspective that eternal things are most important in life (Phil 3:12-14 ^f; cp. 2 Cor 4:16-18 ^g).
3:16 ^h hold on to the progress we have already made: There must be no slipping or reversal; as believers, our conduct must be consistent with our spiritual understanding.
3:17 ⁱ pattern your lives after mine: Paul’s serious pursuit of Christ and the life to which God had called him (3:7-14 ^j; 4:9 ^k; 1 Cor 4:6 ^l, 16-17 ^m; 11:1 ⁿ; 2 Thes 3:7-9 ^o) contrasts markedly with that of the enemies of Christ who are described next (Phil 3:18-19 ^p).
3:18 ^q The identity of the enemies is not known; they might have been (1) Jews or Jewish Christians proud of their circumcision (as in 3:2 ^r), whose emphasis on observant Judaism contradicted the cross of Christ; (2) pseudo-believers living a worldly, immoral life (cp. 3:19 ^s); or (3) professing believers who had rejected Paul’s cross-centered view of the Good News. Christ’s crucifixion as a criminal was scandalous and offensive to many (see 1 Cor 1:23 ^t; cp. Rom 9:33 ^u; 1 Pet 2:8 ^v).
3:19 ^w Their god is their appetite may refer to their greed, their sensuality, or their self-interest (cp. Rom 16:18 ^x).

• they brag about shameful things: This is best understood as a reference to immorality rather than to pride in being circumcised.

• Eternal destruction is the ultimate judgment of God for those who reject Christ and live self-centered, sinful lives (see 2 Thes 1:8-9 ^y; cp. Phil 1:28 ^z; Matt 7:13 ^aa; Rom 9:22 ^ab; 1 Cor 1:18 ^ac; 2 Thes 2:10 ^ad; 1 Tim 6:9 ^ae; 2 Pet 2:3 ^af, 13 ^ag; Jude 1:10 ^ah; Rev 11:18 ^ai).

• They are unable to see beyond this life (cp. John 12:25 ^aj; 1 Jn 2:15-17 ^ak).
3:20 ^al By contrast, believers who know their home is in heaven (see Eph 2:19 ^am) with the Lord Jesus Christ fill their minds with thoughts of heaven (see Col 3:1-2 ^an; cp. 1 Cor 15:19 ^ao; 1 Pet 2:11 ^ap) and Christ’s return (see 1 Cor 1:7 ^aq; Titus 2:13 ^ar).
3:21 ^as change them into glorious bodies: See 1 Cor 15:42-54 ^at; cp. Rom 8:23 ^au.

• he will bring everything under his control: See 1 Cor 15:24-27 ^av.

‏ Philippians 4:1

4:1 ^aw stay true to the Lord (literally stand in the Lord): Cp. 1:27 ^ax.

• Their continuing faithfulness to Christ was a deep source of joy to Paul and the crown for his hard work (see 1 Thes 2:19-20 ^ay).