1 So then, my brothers, keep rejoicing in the Lord {Kyrios, Sphere of Confidence}. Repeating these same reminders to you is no hardship for me, and for you it provides security {asphales: firmly secure}.
2 Be on guard against the dogs {kynas: hostile opponents}, be on guard against those who do evil, be on guard against the mutilation {katatome: ritual cutting}.
3 For we are the circumcision—the ones who offer worship through the Spirit of God {Theos, Indwelling Empowerer}, who take pride in Christ Jesus {Christos Iesous, Focus Of Boast}, and who place no confidence in the flesh.
4 Although I myself {ego: emphatic self-reference} have confidence in the flesh {sarki: human credentials}, if even someone else has confidence in the flesh, I have more.
5 Circumcised {peritome: covenant identity sign} on the eighth day, from the people of Israel, of Benjamin’s tribe, a Hebrew {Hebraios: native Jewish speaker} born of Hebrews; with respect to the law, a Pharisee.
6 As to zeal {zelos: intense religious fervor}, I was persecuting the church; as to the righteousness that is in the law, I became blameless {amemptos: without legal fault}.
7 But whatever things were gains {kerde: former advantages} for me, I have counted them as loss because of Christ {Christos, Supreme Worth}.
8 More than that, I also consider all things to be loss, measured against the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord {Christos Iesous Kyrios, Supreme Master}. For His sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish {skybala: discarded refuse}, so that I may gain Christ.
9 And to be found in Him, not possessing my own righteousness from the law, but the righteousness that comes through faith in Christ {Christos, Righteous Mediator}, the righteousness from God {Theos, Gracious Justifier} based on faith.
10 That I may know Him {Christos, Personally Known Lord}—and the power {dunamis: effective strength} of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.
11 If somehow I might attain to the resurrection {exanastasin: complete rising up} from among the dead {nekron: those who died}.
12 Not that I have already obtained this, or that I have already been perfected, but I pursue {dioko: press forward earnestly}, if indeed I may also lay hold of that for which I also was laid hold of by Christ {Christos, Gracious Captor}.
13 Brothers, I do not consider {logizomai: thoughtful judgment} that I have already taken hold of it. But one thing: forgetting what is behind {opisō: former ways} and reaching forward to what lies ahead.
14 I pursue the goal {skopos: focused aim} for the prize of the upward calling of God {Theos, Supreme Caller} in Christ Jesus.
15 Therefore, as many as are perfect {teleioi: spiritually mature}, let us think in this way, and if you think differently about anything, even this God {Theos, Patient Corrector} will make clear to you.
16 Nevertheless, to whatever {ho: attained level} we have already attained, let us walk in step {stoichein: ordered conduct} with it.
17 Become fellow-imitators of me, brothers, and pay attention {skopeite: watch carefully} to those who walk like this, just as you have us as a pattern {typon: model to follow}.
18 For many walk {peripateo: pattern of life}—I often told you about them, and now I say it again, even with tears—that they are enemies of the cross of Christ {Christos, Crucified Lord}.
19 Their end is destruction {apoleia: final ruin}; their god is the belly; their glory is in their shame; they set their minds on earthly things {epigeia: present-world concerns}.
20 For our citizenship {politeuma: heavenly commonwealth} exists in heaven, and from there we eagerly await a Savior—the Lord Jesus Christ {Kyrios Iesous Christos, Anticipated Redeemer}.
21 Who will transform our body {soma: physical body} of humiliation so that it conforms to His glorious body, according to the operation by which He {Christos, Divine Transformer} is able even to subject all things to Himself.