Philippians - Verse-by-Verse Biblical Exegesis

WHO
Philippians 3:4 kai,per evgw. e;cwn pepoi,qhsin kai. evn sarki, ei; tij dokei/ a;lloj pepoiqe,nai
evn sarki, evgw. ma/llon\
VUL
Philippians 3:4 quamquam ego habeam confidentiam et in carne si quis alius videtur
confidere in carne ego magis
LWB Philp. 3:5 Circumcision on the eighth day, from the race of Israel [not a proselyte],
from the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew from the Hebrews [born of conservative Hebrew
parents], with reference to the law a Pharisee [a separatist],
KW Philp. 3:5 Eight days old in circumcision, my origin from Israelitish stock, belonging to the
tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew from true Hebrew parents [i.e., not a Hellenist], with reference to
the law, a Pharisee,
KJV Philippians 3:5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin,
an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
TRANSLATION HIGHLIGHTS
Paul begins his list of honorable but legalistic qualifications according to the flesh. None of them
provide a single benefit in the spiritual life, but they were looked upon by men as a promising
background. He was circumcised on the 8 th day according to strict Jewish regulations. He
descended from the tribe of Israel, so he was not a proselyte Jew. He came from the tribe of
Benjamin, which was honored by the Lord. He was a “Hebrew from the Hebrews,” which means
he had conservative, patriotic Jewish parents (or as a polytoton which means “a thorough
Hebrew”). He was not a Greek and therefore his upbringing did not include the pagan practices
common to those outside Hebrew circles. He pursued the law as a Pharisee, one of the strictest
separatist groups of his day. So far, he has an impeccable Jewish resume.
REVELANT OPINIONS
The Pharisees boasted that they were endowed with the gift of interpreting Scriptures. (J. Calvin)
God had chosen Paul out of the great mass of mankind, them out of His covenant people Israel, and
finally from a celebrated tribe of this people. He had been set apart for holiness. (P. O’Brien) He
provides a complete armoury against the arguments of their false doctrine by recounting his own
experience under the law, his conversion to Christ, and his assessment of the results of his
conversion in terms of what he lost and what he received. (R. Martin) Paul came, not from Esau but
from Jacob. He belonged to the tribe of Benjamin, a tribe highly thought of, the tribe that remained
loyal to David, and which formed with Judah the foundation for the restored nation after the
captivities. He was the son of Hebrew parents who had retained their Hebrew language and customs,
in contrast to the Hellenized Jews who read the OT in the Greek language. (K. Wuest) Converts to
Judaism were circumcised in maturity: Ishmaelites in their 13 th year. He was thus show to be neither
a heathen nor an Ishmaelite. (M Vincent)