FINALLY (το λοιπον). Accusative of general reference, literally, "as for the rest." So again in Philippians 4:8. It (or just λοιπον) is a common phrase towards the close of Paul's Epistles (2 Thessalonians 3:1; 2 Corinthians 13:11). In Ephesians 6:10 we have του λοιπου (genitive case). But Paul us... [ Continue Reading ]
BEWARE (βλεπετε). Three times for urgency and with different epithet for the Judaizers each time.THE DOGS (τους κυνας). The Jews so termed the Gentiles which Jesus uses in a playful mood (κυναριοις, little dogs) to the Syro-Phoenician woman (Matthew 15:26). Paul here turns the phrase on the Jud... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR WE (ημεις γαρ). We believers in Christ, the children of Abraham by faith, whether Jew or Gentile, the spiritual circumcision in contrast to the merely physical (Romans 2:25-29; Colossians 2:11; Ephesians 2:11). See Galatians 5:12 for αποτεμνειν (to cut off) in sense of mutilation also.BY THE... [ Continue Reading ]
MIGHT HAVE (εχων). Rather, "even though myself having."CONFIDENCE (πεποιθησιν). Late word, condemned by the Atticists, from πεποιθα (just used). See 2 Corinthians 1:15; 2 Corinthians 3:4.... [ Continue Reading ]
THINKETH TO HAVE CONFIDENCE (δοκε πεποιθενα). Second perfect active infinitive. Old idiom, "seems to himself to have confidence." Later idiom like Matthew 3:9 "think not to say" and 1 Corinthians 11:16, "thinks that he has ground of confidence in himself."I YET MORE (εγω μαλλον). "I have more g... [ Continue Reading ]
AS TOUCHING ZEAL (κατα ζηλος). So the old MSS. treating ζηλος as neuter, not masculine. He was a zealot against Christianity, "persecuting the church" (διωκων την εκκλησιαν). He was the ringleader in the persecution from the death of Stephen till his own conversion (Acts 8:1-9).FOUND BLAMELESS... [ Continue Reading ]
WERE GAIN TO ME (εν μο κερδη). "Were gains (plural, see on Philippians 1:21) to me (ethical dative)." Paul had natural pride in his Jewish attainments. He was the star of hope for Gamaliel and the Sanhedrin.HAVE I COUNTED (ηγημα). Perfect middle indicative, state of completion and still true.LO... [ Continue Reading ]
YEA, VERILY, AND (αλλα μεν ουν γε κα). Five particles before Paul proceeds (yea, indeed, therefore, at least, even), showing the force and passion of his conviction. He repeats his affirmation with the present middle indicative (ηγουμα), "I still count all things loss for the excellency of the kn... [ Continue Reading ]
BE FOUND IN HIM (ευρεθω εν αυτω). First aorist (effective) passive subjunctive with ινα of ευρισκω. At death (2 Corinthians 5:3) or when Christ comes. Cf. Philippians 2:8; Galatians 2:17.THROUGH FAITH IN CHRIST (δια πιστεως Χριστου). The objective genitive Χριστου, not subjective, as in Galatian... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT I MAY KNOW HIM (του γνωνα αυτον). Genitive of the articular second aorist (ingressive) active infinitive (purpose) of γινωσκω, to have personal acquaintance or experience with. This is Paul's major passion, to get more knowledge of Christ by experience.THE POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION (την δυν... [ Continue Reading ]
IF BY ANY MEANS I MAY ATTAIN (ε πως καταντησω). Not an expression of doubt, but of humility (Vincent), a modest hope (Lightfoot). For ε πως, see Romans 1:10; Romans 11:14 where παραζηλωσω can be either future indicative or aorist subjunctive like καταντησω here (see subjunctive καταλαβω in verse... [ Continue Reading ]
NOT THAT (ουχ οτ). To guard against a misunderstanding as in John 6:26; John 12:6; 2 Corinthians 1:24; Philippians 4:11; Philippians 4:17.I HAVE ALREADY OBTAINED (ηδη ελαβον). Rather, "I did already obtain," constative second aorist active indicative of λαμβανω, summing up all his previous expe... [ Continue Reading ]
NOT YET (ουπω). But some MSS. read ου (not).TO HAVE APPREHENDED (κατειληφενα). Perfect active infinitive of same verb καταλαμβανω (perfective use of κατα, to grasp completely). Surely denial enough.BUT ONE THING (εν δε). No verb in the Greek. We can supply ποιω (I do) or διωκω (I keep on in t... [ Continue Reading ]
TOWARD THE GOAL (κατα σκοπον). "Down upon the goal," who is Jesus himself to whom we must continually look as we run (Hebrews 12:2). The word means a watchman, then the goal or mark. Only here in N.T.UNTO THE PRIZE (εις το βραβειον). Late word (Menander and inscriptions) from βραβευς (umpire wh... [ Continue Reading ]
AS MANY AS BE PERFECT (οσο τελειο). Here the term τελειο means relative perfection, not the absolute perfection so pointedly denied in verse Philippians 3:12. Paul here includes himself in the group of spiritual adults (see Hebrews 5:13).LET US BE THUS MINDED (τουτο φρονωμεν). Present active vo... [ Continue Reading ]
BY THAT SAME RULE LET US WALK (τω αυτω στοιχειν) Aleph A B do not have κανον (rule). Besides στοιχειν is the absolute present active infinitive which sometimes occurs instead of the principal verb as in Romans 12:15. Paul means simply this that, having come thus far, the thing to do is to go "in... [ Continue Reading ]
IMITATORS TOGETHER OF ME (συνμιμητα μου). Found only here so far, though Plato uses συμμιμεισθα. "Vie with each other in imitating me" (Lightfoot).MARK (σκοπειτε). Old verb from σκοπος (verse Philippians 3:14). "Keep your eyes on me as goal." Mark and follow, not avoid as in Romans 16:17.AN ENS... [ Continue Reading ]
I TOLD YOU OFTEN (πολλακις ελεγον). Imperfect active, repetition in Paul s warnings to them.EVEN WEEPING (κα κλαιων). Deep emotion as he dictated the letter and recalled these recreant followers of Christ (cf. 2 Corinthians 2:4).THE ENEMIES OF THE CROSS OF CHRIST (τους εχθρους του σταυρου του... [ Continue Reading ]
WHOSE GOD IS THE BELLY (ου το θεος η κοιλια). The comic poet Eupolis uses the rare word Κοιλιοδαιμων for one who makes a god of his belly and Seneca speaks of one who _abdomini servit_. Sensuality in food, drink, sex then as now mastered some men. These men posed as Christians and gloried in thei... [ Continue Reading ]
OUR CITIZENSHIP (ημων το πολιτευμα). Old word from πιλιτευω (Philippians 1:27), but only here in N.T. The inscriptions use it either for citizenship or for commonwealth. Paul was proud of his Roman citizenship and found it a protection. The Philippians were also proud of their Roman citizenship.... [ Continue Reading ]
SHALL FASHION ANEW (μετασχηματισε). Future active indicative of μετασχηματιζω for which see 1 Corinthians 4:6; 2 Corinthians 11:13.CONFORMED TO (συμμορφον). For which (συν, μορφη) see Romans 8:29, only N.T. examples. With associative instrumental case. The body of our state of humiliation will... [ Continue Reading ]