Righteousness through Faith in Christ
(Romans 3:21–31)

1Finally, my brothers (and sisters), rejoice in the Lord {Kyriō}. It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you⁺ again, and it is a safeguard for you⁺.

2Watch out for those dogs, those workers of evil, those mutilators of the flesh! 3For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit {Pneumati} of God {Theou}, who glory in Christ (the Anointed One) Jesus (YHWH saves), and who put no confidence in the flesh— 4though I myself could have such confidence.

If anyone else thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel (He wrestles with God), of the tribe of Benjamin (son of the right hand); a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6as to zeal, persecuting the church {ekklēsian}; as to righteousness in the law, faultless.

7But whatever was gain to me I count as loss for the sake of Christ (the Anointed One). 8More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ (the Anointed One) Jesus (YHWH saves) my Lord {Kyriou}, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ (through the faithfulness of Christ),a the righteousness from God {Theou} on the basis of faith.

10I want to know Christ and the power {dynamin} of His resurrection (rising again) and the fellowship {koinōnian} of His sufferings, being conformed to Him in His death, 11and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Pressing on toward the Goal

12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ (the Anointed One) Jesus (YHWH saves) took hold of me. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s {Theou} heavenly calling in Christ (the Anointed One) Jesus (YHWH saves).

15All of us who are mature (complete) should embrace this point of view. And if you⁺ think differently about some issue, God {Theos} will reveal this to you⁺ as well. 16Nevertheless, we must live up to what we have already attained.

Citizenship in Heaven

17Join one another in following my example, brothers (and sisters), and carefully observe those who walk according to the pattern we set for you⁺. 18For as I have often told you⁺ before, and now say again even with tears: Many live as enemies of the cross of Christ (the Anointed One). 19Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and their glory {doxa} is in their shame. Their minds are set on earthly things.

20But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior {Sōtēra} from there, the Lord {Kyrion} Jesus (YHWH saves) Christ (the Anointed One), 21who, by the power that enables Him to subject all things to Himself, will transform our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body.