Phili 3:18-19 | TNotes | STEP | 3:18 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 ), whose emphasis on observant Judaism contradicted the cross of Christ ; (2) pseudo-believers living a worldly, immoral life (cp. 3:19 ); 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 ; cp. Rom 9:33 ; 1 Pet 2:8 ).

3:18 ^a 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 ^b), whose emphasis on observant Judaism contradicted the cross of Christ; (2) pseudo-believers living a worldly, immoral life (cp. 3:19 ^c); 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 ^d; cp. Rom 9:33 ^e; 1 Pet 2:8 ^f).
3:19 ^g Their god is their appetite may refer to their greed, their sensuality, or their self-interest (cp. Rom 16:18 ^h).

• 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 ⁱ; cp. Phil 1:28 ^j; Matt 7:13 ^k; Rom 9:22 ^l; 1 Cor 1:18 ^m; 2 Thes 2:10 ⁿ; 1 Tim 6:9 ^o; 2 Pet 2:3 ^p, 13 ^q; Jude 1:10 ^r; Rev 11:18 ^s).

• They are unable to see beyond this life (cp. John 12:25 ^t; 1 Jn 2:15-17 ^u).