Chapter
1 2 3 4
Verse
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21

Philippians 3:4

ESV though 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:
NIV though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more:
NASB although I myself could boast as having confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he is confident in the flesh, I have more reason:
CSB although I have reasons for confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more:
NLT though I could have confidence in my own effort if anyone could. Indeed, if others have reason for confidence in their own efforts, I have even more!
KJV Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
NKJV though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so:

What does Philippians 3:4 mean?

Though Paul identified with those who believe by faith, he had all of the proper Jewish credentials. There was no more qualified individual, in terms of the Old Testament and Jewish tradition, than Paul. In other words, if someone were to judge Paul's spirituality on the basis of Judaic requirements, he had the right areas covered. This section is not Paul's attempt to prove his own worth by works. On the contrary, Paul is making that point that nobody can be truly justified by anything other than faith. Even his own impressive resume, expounded in verses 5–6, is not enough.

Paul precedes his laundry list of credentials by noting that his Jewish accomplishments far surpass those of his spiritual opponents, who sought to justify themselves by the law. Yet Paul teaches that these traits are unimportant for those who seek to truly know God. He counts them as "loss" for the sake of Christ (Philippians 3:7). His goal was to know the power of the resurrection and sufferings of Christ (Philippians 3:9–10). He had not reached that status yet, but continued to pursue this way of life (Philippians 3:12). Further, Paul called others to imitate his way of life to please God (Philippians 3:17).
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