Philippians 3:18-19

18. For many walk, of whom I told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19. whose end is perdition, whose god is the belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.

Translation and Paraphrase

18. For many are walking (that is, livingpeople of whom) I have spoken many times, and (of whom) I now speak even (with) weeping(that they are) the enemies of the cross of Christ (and all that the cross stands for).

Notes

1.

Paul warned his Christian converts about evil men. He warned them often (Philippians 3:18), and repeatedly. The idea that we must be so polite that we never speak out against evil-doers is not found in the Holy Scriptures. Christ himself exposed the Pharisees; Peter and Jude wrote warnings about ungodly men (2 Peter 2:1-22; book of Jude); Notice the warnings of Paul in 2 Timothy 4:14 and 1 Timothy 1:19-20. Such Old Testament prophets as Isaiah (Isaiah 22:15 ff), Jeremiah (Jeremiah 20:1-6), and Amos (Amos 7:14-17) spoke out against ungodly men.

2.

The word walk in Philippians 3:18 means to live. Comparing the Christian life to a walk is very common in the New Testament. See Ephesians 4:1; Ephesians 4:17; Ephesians 5:15.

3.

According to Paul there were many who walked in such a way as to be enemies of the cross, Still today many are going down the broad way of life to destruction, but only few up the narrow road that leads unto life. (Matthew 7:13-14).

As to who these many people to whom Paul referred were, we frankly cannot say. It could be that they included the Judaizers, or the Gnostics (an ancient denomination which thought that salvation comes by knowing certain mystical knowledge), or the heathen, or even some professed Christians. It probably would have been obvious to the Philippians that the heathen were ungodly, but perhaps not so apparent that some professed Christians were.

4.

The very act of thinking and speaking about these ungodly people affected Paul strongly: I tell you (of them) even weeping. Although it is sometimes necessary, we should also find it painful to warn about ungodly people.

If we really feel grieved over the sins of people, they will be less likely to be offended when we warn them, than they will if we adopt a superior, holier-than-thou (Isaiah 65:5). One preacher lost his job because he told his church that if they did not repent they were going to hell. A later preacher before the same church said the same things, and was graciously accepted. One of the church members said, The new preacher said the same things the old preacher said, but he acted like he was sorry about it.

5.

Enemies of the cross of Christ. The cross is central in Christianity. See Galatians 6:14; Galatians 5:11; 1 Corinthians 1:17-18; 1 Corinthians 2:2; Ephesians 2:16. The word cross in Philippians 3:18 probably refers to all the doctrines of Christ, which focus upon the cross. (Cross is therefore a metonomy, a part used to refer to a whole.)

Even most unbelievers admire the teachings and the holy life of Jesus. But the cross is a stumblbing-block to them. The cross tells us that we are unclean sinners, so foul that the perfect one had to die for us. It sweeps away all our pride in human wisdom and knowledge. The cross says, All your knowledge and morality does not impress God a bit. You must come to the cross in sincere recognition of your utter sinfulness if you want to be saved. Such implications are foolishness to the worldly-wise, and are stumbling-blocks to those who place confidence in their religious ceremonialism (1 Corinthians 1:18; 1 Corinthians 1:23). But the cross is still the only approach to God.

6.

Probably those who were the very enemies of the cross of Christ thought that they were good, educated, wise, and perhaps even godly people. It so often happens this way. The wolves in sheep's clothing do not realize that they are wolves. He that killeth you thinks he does God a service! (John 16:2). Sincerity is no proof of salvation.

7.

Whose end is perdition. Perdition (Gr. apoleia) means destruction or ruin. It refers to the eternal punishment of hell fire. (Matthew 25:46; Mark 9:43-48; Revelation 20:15; Revelation 14:11).

8.

Whose god is the belly. The Greek word translated belly may refer to the whole belly, upper and lower; or just the lower belly (including its back side; or to the gullet; or the womb. In the light of these definitions it would appear that any person whose major interests are eating, drinking, or sex makes his belly his god. (2 Peter 2:18-19).

Anything that habitually occupies our minds and vocabularies is a god to us.

9.

Whose glory is their shame. Many people glory in and boast of things of which they should be ashamed. They glory in acts of fornication, in how much alcohol they can consume, in money gained by gambling, and such things.

The term antinomian is sometimes applied to those who refuse to live according to any law, including God'S. Those who glory in their shame are antinomians in the worst sense.

10.

Who mind earthly things. Christians should set their hope completely upon the grace that is to be brought to us at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:13). We should be laying up treasures in heaven, not upon earth. (Matthew 6:19-21).

Some unbelievers (and even some church members!) deride Christians who have this attitude, as being too otherworldly, or being irrelevant in this modern world. But the fact remains that the people who are most interested in the life to come live the present life in the best way. Everyone that hath this hope (the hope of seeing God and being like God) set upon him, purifieth himself even as he is pure. (1 John 3:3).