Righteousness through Faith

1Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you indeed is not troublesome to me, and is safe for you.

2Beware of the dogs! Beware of the evil workers! Beware of the false circumcision! 3For we are the circumcision, those worshiping in the Spirit of God, and glorying in Christ Jesus, and not trusting in the flesh— 4though I have confidence even in the flesh.

If any other thinks to trust in the flesh, I more: 5circumcision on the eighth day; of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin; a Hebrew of Hebrews; according to the Law, a Pharisee; 6according to zeal, persecuting the church; according to righteousness in the Law, having become faultless.

Knowing Christ Above All Else

7But whatever things were gain to me, these I have esteemed loss because of Christ. 8But indeed, therefore, I also count all things to be loss because of the excelling knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, because of whom I have lost all things, and esteem them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness which is of the Law, but that which is through faith from Christ, the righteousness of God on the basis of faith, 10to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from out of dead.

Pressing Toward the Goal

12Not that already I have obtained it or already have been perfected, but I am pursuing, if also I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing indeed: Forgetting the things behind and reaching forward to the things ahead, 14I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward calling of God in Christ Jesus.

15Therefore as many as are mature should be of this mind. And if you are minded in anything differently, even this God will reveal to you. 16Nevertheless, to that which we have attained, we are to walk by the same.

Citizenship in Heaven

17Be imitators together of me brothers, and consider those walking thus, as you have us for a pattern. 18For many are walking—of whom I have told you often and now I say even weeping—as enemies of the cross of Christ, 19whose end is destruction, whose God is the belly and glory is in their shame, those minding earthly things.

20For our citizenship exists in the heavens, from whence also we are awaiting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21who will transform our body of humiliation, conformed to the body of His glory, according to the working enabling Him even to subdue all things to Himself.