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Trinity/After Pentecost · The Twenty-Third Sunday after Trinity

Philippians 3:17-21

No Confidence in the Flesh

November 8, 2026

The Plains of Heaven, John Martin
The Plains of Heaven, John Martin, 1851–1853Tate Britain
The third of Martin's apocalypse trilogy and the only peaceful one: a vast blue valley with a lake, mountains of light, and small figures arriving by boat.Our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Saviour.John MartinAn English painter of catastrophes on an enormous scale, hugely popular with the public and despised by Ruskin, whose shows toured for decades.Tate BritainThe original Tate on Millbank, now holding the national collection of British art from the Tudors onwards.Tate Britain
Historic One-Year Lectionary
GospelMatt. 22:15-22Mt 22:15-22
EpistlePhil. 3:17-21Phil 3:17-21
Old TestamentProv. 8:11-22Prv 8:11-22
PsalterPs. 111Ps 111

Overview & Insights

“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14)

First Conclusion: Call to Rejoice “With this communication about Epaphroditus now the epistle seems to be at an end” (Ewald, ad loc.). If so, nothing remains but a final word of greeting. The reader is therefore prepared for Finally.

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Take it further: Philippians 3:17-21

Commentary

Enduring Word Bible Commentary Philippians Chapter 3Enduring Word Bible Commentary Phil Chapter 3 Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik's verse by verse evangelical commentary on the enemies of the cross and heavenly citizenship.

Philippians 3:17 CommentariesPhil 3:17 Commentaries BibleHub

Aggregates classic commentators on imitating Paul and the transformation of the lowly body.

Philippians 3, Expository NotesPhil 3, Expository Notes StudyLight

Thomas Constable's expository notes on citizenship in heaven and awaiting the Savior.

Commentary on Philippians 3:17-4:1Commentary on Phil 3:17-4:1 Working Preacher

Luther Seminary exegesis of Paul as a pattern and the heavenly citizenship of believers.

Background & Word Study

Overview: PhilippiansOverview: Phil BibleProject

An animated overview of Philippians that frames Paul's call to imitate Christ's humility.

Philippians 3:17 Greek InterlinearPhil 3:17 Greek Interlinear BibleHub

Greek word by word with parsing and Strong's numbers for imitate, citizenship, Savior, and transform.

The Church Fathers

Commentary on Philippians 3 from the Church FathersCommentary on Phil 3 from the Church Fathers Catena

Patristic comment gathered verse by verse on the enemies of the cross and the hope of the glorified body.

Questions preachers ask

What does Paul count as loss?

Paul lists his impeccable credentials and then counts them all loss compared to knowing Christ (Philippians 3:4b–8). Righteousness comes not from the law but through faith, so he presses on toward the goal.

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