Philippians 3:4

Philippians 3:4 in other versions

• King James Version (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:
• New International Version (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:
• English Standard Version (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:
• New King James Version (NKJV)though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so:

Context of Philippians 3:4

2Look out for the dogs [the Judaizers, the legalists], look out for the troublemakers, look out for the false circumcision [those who claim circumcision is necessary for salvation]; 3for we [who are born-again have been reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, set apart for His purpose and] are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory and take pride and exult in Christ Jesus and place no confidence [in what we have or who we are] in the flesh— though I myself might have [some grounds for] confidence in the flesh [if I were pursuing salvation by works]. If anyone else thinks that he has reason to be confident in the flesh [that is, in his own efforts to achieve salvation], I have far more: 5circumcised when I was eight days old, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews [an exemplary Hebrew]; as to the [observance of the] Law, a Pharisee; 6as to my zeal [for Jewish tradition], a persecutor of the church; and as to righteousness [supposed right living] which [my fellow Jews believe] is in the Law, I proved myself blameless.

Philippians 3:4 word by word

καίπερ ἐγὼ ἔχων πεποίθησιν καὶ ἐν σαρκί. εἴ τις δοκεῖ ἄλλος πεποιθέναι ἐν σαρκί, ἐγὼ μᾶλλον·Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Thoughκαίπερkaiper · althoughG2539
• Iἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• mightἔχωechō · to have/beG2192
• alsoκαίkai · andG2532
• confidenceπεποίθησιςpepoithēsis · confidenceG4006
• inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• the fleshσάρξsarx · fleshG4561
• Ifεἰei · ifG1487
• anyτιςtis · oneG5100
• otherἄλλοςallos · anotherG243
• thinkethδοκέωdokeō · to thinkG1380
• that he hath whereof he might trustπείθωpeithō · to persuadeG3982
• moreμᾶλλονmallon · moreG3123

Cross-references for Philippians 3:4

• 2 Corinthians 11:18Since many boast [of worldly things and brag] about human accomplishments, I will boast too.

Commentaries on Philippians 3:4

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 4Though I might also have confidence - If any of them have any cause to boast in outward rites and privileges, I have as much; yea, more.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 4Though I might also have confidence in the flesh - That is, though I had uncommon advantages of this kind; and if anyone could have trusted in them, I could have done it. The object of the apostle is to show that he did not despise those things because he did not possess them, but because he now saw that they were of no value in the great matter of salvation. Once he had confided in them, and if anyone could find any ground of reliance on them, he could…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 4in the flesh: Paul uses flesh to mean relying on yourself and human effort. This is different than relying on Christ and the power given by the Spirit.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 44. "Although I (emphatical) might have confidence even in the flesh." Literally, "I having," but not using, "confidence in the flesh." I more--have more "whereof I might have confidence in the flesh."Read the comment

Topics related to Philippians 3:4

• Formalism
• Testimony
• Works
• Zeal, Religious

In the dictionaries

• Belly
• Concision
• Count
• Earthly
• Gain
• God
• Mean
• Press
• Safe
• Whereto

Commentaries on Philippians 3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings