Philippians 3:7

Philippians 3:7 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
• New International Version (NIV)But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.
• English Standard Version (ESV)But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.
• New King James Version (NKJV)But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.

Context of Philippians 3:7

5circumcised the eighth day; of the nation of Israel; from the tribe of Benjamin; a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the Torah, a Pharisee; 6as for zeal, persecuting Messiah’s community; as for Torah righteousness, found blameless. But whatever things were gain to me, these I have considered as loss for the sake of the Messiah. 8More than that, I consider all things to be loss in comparison to the surpassing value of the knowledge of Messiah Yeshua my Lord. Because of Him I have suffered the loss of all things; and I consider them garbage in order that I might gain Messiah 9and be found in Him not having my righteousness derived from Torah, but one that is through trusting in Messiah—the righteousness from God based on trust.

Philippians 3:7 word by word

ἀλλ᾽ ἅτινα ἦν μοι κέρδη, ταῦτα ἥγημαι διὰ τὸν Χριστὸν ζημίαν·Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Butἀλλάalla · butG235
• what thingsὅστιςhostis hētis ho6ti · who/whichG3748
• wereεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• gainκέρδοςkerdos · gainG2771
• to meἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• thoseοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
• I countedἡγέομαιhēgeomai · to governG2233
• lossζημίαzēmia · damage/lossG2209
• forδιάdia · through/because ofG1223
• Christὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• ChristΧριστόςChristos · ChristG5547

Cross-references for Philippians 3:7

• Philippians 3:4though I myself might have confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he might depend on the flesh, I far more—
• Genesis 19:17When they brought them outside, one said, “Flee for your life! Do not look behind you, and do not stop anywhere in the surrounding area! Escape to the hills, or else you’ll be swept away!”
• Job 2:4The satan replied to Adonai saying, “Skin for skin! A man will give up all he has for his own life.
• Proverbs 13:8A man’s riches may ransom his life, but a poor person hears no threat.
• Proverbs 23:23Acquire truth and do not sell it, acquire wisdom, instruction and understanding.
• Matthew 13:44“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid. And because of his joy, he goes out and sells all that he has and buys that field.
• Matthew 16:26For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world but forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
• Luke 14:26“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, and sisters—and yes, even his own life—he cannot be My disciple.
• Luke 16:8“Now the master praised the crooked manager because he had acted shrewdly, for the sons of this age are smarter when dealing with their own generation than the sons of light.
• Luke 17:31In that day, the one who is on the roof, and his possessions in the house, must not go down to take them away. In the same way, the one who is in the field must not turn back.
• Acts 27:18But as we were violently battered by the storm, the next day they began throwing cargo overboard.
• Galatians 2:15We are Jews by birth and not sinners from among the Gentiles.
• Galatians 5:2Listen—I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Messiah will be of no benefit to you.

Commentaries on Philippians 3:7

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 7But what things were gain - The credit and respect which I had, as being zealously attached to the law, and to the traditions of the elders, I counted loss for Christ - I saw that this could stand me in no stead; that all my acts of righteousness were nothing on which I could depend for salvation; and that Christ crucified could alone profit me; for I found that it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sin.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 7But what things were gain to me - The advantages of birth, of education, and of external conformity to the law. “I thought these to be gain - that is, to be of vast advantage in the matter of salvation. I valued myself on these things, and supposed that I was rich in all that pertained to moral character and to religion.” Perhaps, also, he refers to these things as laying the foundation of a hope of future advancement in honor and in wealth in this world…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 7-8As a Christian, Paul now considered these things (3:5–6) worthless because of what Christ has done. A believer’s relationship with God is defined by knowing Christ and nothing else (compare 3:10; John 17:3). The only important thing is to gain Christ, thus receiving the gift of eternal salvation (see John 3:16; 1 John 5:11–13). In comparison, all other things are meaningless garbage (or rubbish).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 77. gain--rather as Greek, "gains"; including all possible advantages of outward status, which he had heretofore enjoyed. I counted--Greek, "I have counted for Christ's sake loss." He no longer uses the plural as in "gains"; for he counts them all but one great "loss" (Mt 16:26; Lu 9:25).Read the comment

Topics related to Philippians 3:7

• Formalism
• Love
• Obedience
• Paradox
• Righteous
• Sacrifices
• Salvation
• Self-Denial
• Testimony
• Wisdom
• Works
• Zeal, Religious

In the dictionaries

• Christ
• Christ, Messiah
• Belly
• Concision
• Count
• Earthly
• Gain
• God
• Mean
• Press

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