No Trust in the Flesh
FINALLY my brothers, rejoice in the Lord.
Indeed, to write the same things to you again is not a bother to me; but for you it is a safeguard.
2 Beware the dogs, beware the workers of evil, beware those who live according to the flesh (concision).
3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
4 ¶ Although I might also have confidence in the flesh, and if any other man thinks he has reason to trust in the flesh, I even more:
5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as concerning the law, a Pharisee;
6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the Christian congregation; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
7 But what was gain to me, these I count as loss because of Christ.
8 ¶ But also, I count all things to be loss because of the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord: because of whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them to be trash, that I may gain Christ,
9 And be found in him, not having my own righteousness, which is of the law; rather, that which is because of faith in Christ: the righteousness which is from God on the basis of faith:
10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to his death;
11 If by any means, I might attain to the resurrection of the dead.
Attaining the Resurrection of the Dead
12 ¶ Not that I have already attained it, or are already perfect; but I press forward that I may lay hold of it: because of which, I am also laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
13 Brothers, I do not count myself to have laid hold of it; but this one thing I do: forgetting those things which are behind me, but now strain towards those things in front of me,
14 I press forward toward the goal, for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
15 Let us therefore, as many as are initiated, set our minds on this, and if anyone be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this to you.
16 Nevertheless, into that which we have already attained, let us hold onto the same method, setting our minds on the same.
17 ¶ Brothers, be imitators together of me; and take notice of those, that just as us, walk in this way; having us for an example.
18 For many walk, of whom I have often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their stomach, and whose glory is in their shameful deeds, who set their mind on earthly things.
20 For our citizenship is in heaven; from also whence we eagerly await the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
21 Who shall change our lowly body, that it may be conformed to his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subordinate all things to himself.