PHP 3:17-21

Citizenship in Heaven

17Be imitators together of me, brothers, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.

18For many walk — of whom I told you often, and now tell you even weeping — as enemies of the cross of Christ,

19whose end is destruction, whose god is the belly, and whose glory is in their shame — the ones who set their minds on earthly things.

20For our citizenship is in the heavens, from which we also await a savior — the Lord Jesus Christ —

21who will transform the body of our humiliation to be conformed to the body of his glory, according to the working of his power to subject all things to himself.

In the world it was spoken into

In Philippi, a Roman colony, citizenship carried significant privilege and identity. Roman citizens enjoyed legal protections, social status, and a sense of belonging to the empire. Paul’s use of (citizenship) would have resonated deeply with Philippian believers, many of whom were Roman citizens. However, Paul redefines this concept, shifting their primary allegiance from Rome to heaven. This would have been provocative, as it challenged the imperial narrative that Caesar was lord and savior. The mention of those whose 'God is the belly' critiques individuals driven by earthly appetites, likely referencing Epicurean or hedonistic lifestyles common in Greco-Roman culture. Paul contrasts this with the hope of transformation, where the 'body of humiliation' — a term evoking social and physical lowliness — will be conformed to Christ’s glorious body. This promise subverts the honor-shame hierarchy of Roman society, offering dignity to the marginalized. The call to be (co-imitators) emphasizes communal solidarity in following Paul’s example, countering individualism.

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How other translations render this

PHP 3:17

KJV: Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
BSB: Join one another in following my example, brothers, and carefully observe those who walk according to the pattern we set for you.
Koinōnos: Be imitators together of me, brothers, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.

PHP 3:18

KJV: (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
BSB: For as I have often told you before, and now say again even with tears: Many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.
Koinōnos: For many walk — of whom I told you often, and now tell you even weeping — as enemies of the cross of Christ,

PHP 3:19

KJV: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
BSB: Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and their glory is in their shame. Their minds are set on earthly things.
Koinōnos: whose end is destruction, whose god is the belly, and whose glory is in their shame — the ones who set their minds on earthly things.

PHP 3:20

KJV: For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
BSB: But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,
Koinōnos: For our citizenship is in the heavens, from which we also await a savior — the Lord Jesus Christ —

PHP 3:21

KJV: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
BSB: who, by the power that enables Him to subject all things to Himself, will transform our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body.
Koinōnos: who will transform the body of our humiliation to be conformed to the body of his glory, according to the working of his power to subject all things to himself.

Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.

Translator's notes

PHP 3:17

Imitators together:The word translated 'imitators together' emphasizes a collective action, suggesting that believers are to jointly follow an example, not merely imitate individually.

PHP 3:19

belly:The term translated 'belly' here refers to the stomach or abdomen, often used metaphorically in ancient literature to represent base appetites, desires, or gluttony.

PHP 3:20

citizenship:The word translated 'citizenship' refers to the community of citizens, their rights, and their way of life, implying a shared identity and allegiance to a particular state or commonwealth.

PHP 3:21

humiliation:The word translated 'humiliation' can also carry the sense of a lowly or humble state, not necessarily implying shame or degradation, but rather a state of lowliness or abasement.