Philippians 3:14 - 4:1

Please consider your sponsorship or support of The Text This Week.

• Reading the Text:
  • NRSV (with link to Anglicized NRSV) at Oremus Bible Browser.
  • Greek Interlinear Bible, ScrTR, ScrTR t, Strong, Parsing, CGTS, CGES id, AV. Chapter 4.
  • The Bible Gateway: NIV, NASB, CEV, The Message, KJV, etc.
  • The Blue Letter Bible. KJV, alternate versions, Greek text with concordance, commentaries. Chapter 4.
  • The World Wide Study Bible includes commentary, exposition and sermons. Chapter 4.
• Historical References, Commentary and Comparative Texts:
  • "Idolatry," Comparative World Scriptures from United Communities of Spirit.
  • Chapter IX, The Epistle of Ignatius to the Magnesians, Ignatius of Antioch (c. 110). (Longer version only - 4th cent interpolation.)
  • Chapter XI, The Epistle of Ignatius to the Trallians, Ignatius of Antioch (c. 110). (Longer version only - 4th cent interpolation.)
  • Similitude I, Shepherd of Hermas. (c.145)
  • V.XIII.3, Adversus Haereses, Irenaeus of Lyons. (c. 180)
  • II.1, Paedagogus, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)
  • IV.3, Stromata, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)
  • Chapter XIV, On The Veiling of Virgins, Tertullian (c. 205)
  • I.8, To His Wife, Tertullian (c. 206)
  • III.25, Against Marcion, Tertullian (c. 209)
  • Chapter XIII, De Corona, Tertullian (c. 211)
  • Chapter XLVII, Chapter LV, On the Resurrection of the Flesh,  Tertullian (c. 211)
  • V.20, Against Marcion, Tertullian (c. 212)
  • II.4, Commentary on the Gospel of John, Origen. (c.228)
  • VII.L, Against Celsus, Origen (c. 246)
  • X.14, XII.10, XII.29, XIII.21, Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew, Origen. (c.247)
  • On the Mortality -- Cyprian of Carthage (c. 252)
  • Epistle LXXVI -- Cyprian of Carthage (c. 255)

  • Commentary by St John Chrysostom: Homily XIII.

    • "Nothing is so incongruous in a Christian, and foreign to his character, as to seek ease and rest; and to be engrossed with the present life is foreign to our profession and enlistment."
  • "Enemies of the Cross of Christ," Martin Luther, c. 1522.
    • "Had Paul confined his denunciations to the righteousness of the world or of the heathen--the righteousness dependent upon reason and controlled by secular government, by laws and regulations--his teaching would not have seemed so irreverent."
  • From the Geneva Notes. Chapter 4.
    • "He shows what the false apostles truly are, not from malice or ambition, but with sorrow and tears, that is, because being enemies of the Gospel (for that is joined with persecuting it) they regard nothing else, but the benefits of this life."
  • From Matthew Henry's Commentary. Chapter 4.
    • "May we be always prepared for the coming of our Judge; looking to have our vile bodies changed by his Almighty power, and applying to him daily to new-create our souls unto holiness; to deliver us from our enemies, and to employ our bodies and souls as instruments of righteousness in his service."
  • From Wesley's Notes. Chapter 4.
    • "Let us walk by the same rule we have done hitherto."
  • From the Commentary on the Whole Bible (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871). Chapter 4.
    • ""The high," or "heavenly calling," is not restricted, as ALFORD thinks, to Paul's own calling as an apostle by the summons of God from heaven; but the common calling of all Christians to salvation in Christ, which coming from heaven invites us to heaven, whither accordingly our minds ought to be uplifted."
  • From The People's New Testament, B.W. Johnson, 1891. Chapter 4.
    • "Meyer says the Greek word here (teleioi) means mature, well developed, not children in Christ."
• Contemporary Commentary, Studies and Exegesis:
  • Commentary, Philippians 3:17-4:1 (Lent 2C), Susan Hedahl, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2009.
    • "Like Paul, all can offer this as means of helping other Christians live in hope and maintain the patterns of life in Christ."
  • Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
  • "First Thoughts on Year C Epistle Passages in the Lectionary," Lent 2, William Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia.
    • "Paul does not contemplate that there would be a discrepancy between what we preach and what we are."
  • "Raising Resident Aliens," study guide, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Schools in a Pluralist Culture" Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2009. Focus Article, "Raising Resident Aliens," Perry L. Glanzer.
  • "Play On!" study guide for adults, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Sports," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2008.
  • "Epistle for the Second Sunday of Lent: Philippians 3:17 - 4:1," from Exegesis for the Christian Year, Henry Gustafson, 1998. At Religion Online.
    • "The data for imitation here consists not of a series of rules for behavior, but of a new perspective."
  • "Confessing Jesus as Lord in the Present Time," Confessing Jesus as Lord: Selected Epistles (Epiphany to Palm Sunday), David Fredrickson, Word & World Texts in Context, Luther Northwestern Theological Seminary, 1998.
  • Philippians 3:12-21, Christ and the Church: The Ministry of the Baptized, Wendell R. Debner, Word & World Texts in Context, Luther Northwestern Theological Seminary, 1987.
  • Kairos CoMotion Lectionary Discussion, Philippians 3:17-4:1, Wesley White. "A place of conversation regarding Progressive Christianity."
    • "This is far different than some assent of belief couched in a specific set of words or actions. It is this transformation of being struck by an assurance of being beloved that turns an enemy of Christ into a friend."
  • "Our Transfiguration," Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources.
    • "Denying the place of the sensual self, suppressing the sensual self, or even worse, spiritualizing the sensual self - what would be the basis of such a view and why is it so unhealthy?"
  • "Our Heavenly Citizenship," Expository Essay, Philippians 3:17-4:1, Dr. William R. Long.
    • "Somehow there is a human longing for transformation even in the secular society. How much more for those who are pursuing the living Christ in imitation of him!"
• Articles & Background:
  • "Meals, Food and Tablefellowship." Jerome H. Neyrey, in The Social Sciences and New Testament Interpretation, 159-82. R. L. Rohrbaugh, ed. Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson, 1996.
    • "How can readers understand the particular ceremony of meals and table fellowship? Why are meals so important as symbols of broader social relationships? How can we peer below the surface and grasp the social dynamics encoded in meals and commensality, what anthropologists call "the language of meals"?"
  • "Citizens of Heaven. Phil 3:2-21 as a Deutero-Pauline Passage," by Darrel J Doughty. Journal of Higher Criticism, rework from NTS 41 (1995).
    • "...the portrait of the apostle and the understanding of Christian existence for which he serves as an example are deutero-Pauline. The concrete controversies that characterized Paul's own life are no longer in view. The teachings of Paul have been universalized. What we have here represents the testimony of the apostle for believers in all times and places."
• ATLASerials is now available on multiple platforms.  Direct links are currently available for ATLASerials via EBSCOhost and ATLA platforms when you are subscribed and logged in to ATLAS on one of these platforms. If you are unsure about which link to choose, please contact support@atla.com.
  • Adam, A.K.M., "Walk This Way: Repetition, Difference, and the Imitation of Christ," Interpretation, 2001.
      ATLAS via ATLA Image Browse - ATLAS via ATLA PDF
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Debner, Wendell R., "Christ and the Church: The Ministry of the Baptized," Word & World, 1987.
      ATLAS via ATLA Image Browse - ATLAS via ATLA PDF
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Doble, Peter, "'Vile Bodies' or Transformed Persons? Philippians 3.21 in Context," Journal for the Study of the New Testament, 2002.
      ATLAS via ATLA Image Browse - ATLAS via ATLA PDF
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Fredrickson, David, "Confessing Jesus as Lord: Selected Epistles (Epiphany to Palm Sunday)," Word & World, 1998.
      ATLAS via ATLA Image Browse - ATLAS via ATLA PDF
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Fredrickson, David E., "Envious Enemies of the Cross of Christ (Philippians 3:18)," Word & World, 2008.
      ATLAS via ATLA Image Browse - ATLAS via ATLA PDF
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Grieb, A. Katherine, "'The One Who Called You...' Vocation and Leadership in the Pauline Literature," Interpretation, 2005.
      ATLAS via ATLA Image Browse - ATLAS via ATLA PDF
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Hays, Richard B., "Where Is Our Citizenship?" The Christian Century, 1992.
      ATLAS via ATLA Image Browse - ATLAS via ATLA PDF
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Klijn, Dr. A.F.J., "Paul's Opponents in Philippians 3," Novum Testamentum, 1965.
      ATLAS via ATLA Image Browse - ATLAS via ATLA PDF
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Pobee, John S., "Human Transformation: A Biblical View," Mission Studies, 1985.
      ATLAS via ATLA Image Browse - ATLAS via ATLA PDF
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Simmons, Elizabeth McGregor, "The Sense of Text: An Invitation to Lenten Preaching," Journal for Preachers, 2004.
      ATLAS via ATLA Image Browse - ATLAS via ATLA PDF
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
• Reviews:
  • Review: Karl Olav Sandnes, Belly and Body in the Pauline Epistles. Cambridge University Press, 2002. Review by Jeffrey R Asher in The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 2003.
• Sermons:
  • "Christian Maturity," Drs. Ella and Henry Mitchell, 30 Good Minutes, Chicago Sunday Evening Club, 1997.
• With Children:
  • "The Prize," Jim Kerlin, childrensermons.com.
• Drama:
  • "Delicious Death," Erina Caradus, dramatix.
  • "Confessing Other People's Sins," Glenn A. Hascall, dramatix.
• Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
  • Clip Art, Philippians 3:20, Philippians 4:1, Fr. Richard Lonsdale, Resources for Catholic Educators.
  • Philippians 3:14, Heartlight - Free Christian PowerPoint Backgrounds.
• Hymns and Music:
  • Hymns with Scripture Allusions: Philippians 3:20. The Cyber Hymnal.
  • At Digital Hymnal (midi files, guitar chords, karaoke files, projection text):
    • Fairest Lord Jesus
• Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
• Study Links and Resources for the Book of Philippians