Philippians 3:21 kjv
Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
Philippians 3:21 nkjv
who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.
Philippians 3:21 niv
who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
Philippians 3:21 esv
who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
Philippians 3:21 nlt
He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.
Philippians 3 21 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Philippians 3:20 | For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, | Basis for future hope |
| Romans 8:11 | If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. | Spirit's indwelling power |
| 1 Corinthians 15:52 | in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. | Future resurrection |
| 1 John 3:2 | Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. | Becoming like Christ |
| Colossians 1:27 | to them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. | Christ in believers |
| Romans 6:4 | We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. | Newness of life |
| Ephesians 2:6 | and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, | Enthroned with Christ |
| 2 Corinthians 5:17 | Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. | New creation |
| 1 Thessalonians 4:17 | Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. | Rapture of believers |
| 2 Peter 1:4 | by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. | Partakers of divine nature |
| Hebrews 12:2 | looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. | Jesus, the perfecter |
| 1 John 2:28 | And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not be put to shame before him at his coming. | Abiding in Christ |
| Romans 8:29 | For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. | Conformed to Christ's image |
| 1 Corinthians 6:13 | "Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food"—and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. | Body for the Lord |
| 1 Corinthians 15:43 | It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. | Resurrection power |
| Philippians 1:6 | and I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. | God's completion |
| Colossians 3:4 | When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. | Appearing in glory |
| Galatians 4:19 | my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you— | Christ formed in believers |
| Ephesians 5:27 | so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. | Christ presents the church |
| Romans 8:18 | For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed in us. | Future glory |
Philippians 3 verses
Philippians 3 21 Meaning
Jesus Christ will transform our lowly body to be like His glorious body. This transformation happens through the power of Christ working within us.
Philippians 3 21 Context
Philippians chapter 3 contrasts believers' heavenly citizenship with the earthly, fleshly focus of opponents. Paul shares his personal transformation from legalistic pursuit to Christ-centered life. He urges believers to press on toward the heavenly goal, not fixated on earthly things. This verse acts as a powerful conclusion to this section, stating the ultimate destiny and transformation of believers' bodies by Christ's power, securing their hope in His return. The "present time" (v. 20) of striving will culminate in this future glory.
Philippians 3 21 Word Analysis
- "will transform" (metaschēmatizei): This Greek verb signifies a change in outward form or appearance, not a destruction of the fundamental being. It's a dignified and powerful transformation, like changing a costume or a uniform to a glorious one. It suggests that the outward appearance will be altered to reflect the inner reality and the glorified state.
- "our lowly body" (tou taphsinou hēmōn sōmatos):
- "lowly" (taphsinou): This refers to our current physical bodies, characterized by weakness, suffering, decay, and mortality – things that are humbled or brought low by sin and its consequences. It stands in stark contrast to the "glorious body" of Christ.
- "body" (sōmatos): Refers to the physical human body. Even in its current state, it is precious and destined for glorification, not discarded. This emphasizes that believers' existence is holistic, encompassing both spirit and body.
- "to be fashioned like" (schēma): This refers to the outward form or appearance, specifically the "form" or "shape" of Christ's glorious body. It is not a mere imitation but a sharing in the very nature and appearance of His resurrection body.
- "His glorious body" (tou sōmatos tēs doxēs autou): This refers to the resurrection body of Jesus Christ. It is a body radiant with divine glory, unconstrained by the limitations of our current existence – no more suffering, pain, or death. It's the body Christ possessed after His resurrection and ascension.
- "according to the working" (kata ten energeian): This highlights the power source for this transformation. It's not achieved by human effort but by the active, dynamic power that is "at work" or "energetic."
- "by which" (hēn): This pronoun refers back to the power mentioned.
- "He is able" (dynatai): This emphasizes Christ's sovereign power and capability to effect this radical change. It underscores the certainty of the believer's future hope based on His omnipotence.
- "to subject" (hypotaxai): This means to bring under, to subordinate, or to bring into compliance. It implies that Christ has the authority and power to bring even our mortal bodies into conformity with His own resurrected body. It's an act of bringing everything under His rule, including our future glorified state.
Words-Group by Words-Group Analysis:
- "our lowly body to be fashioned like His glorious body": This phrase encapsulates the core of the resurrection hope – the transformation of our mortal existence into a state mirroring Christ's resurrected state. It means our current physical limitations will be overcome, and our bodies will possess the characteristics of Christ's post-resurrection body – immortal, powerful, radiant, and spiritual (1 Cor 15:42-44).
- "according to the working by which He is able to subject all things to Himself": This highlights the basis of our hope. The power that Christ exercises to bring the entire universe and all of creation under His authority is the same power that will be employed to transform us. It assures us that Christ's ability to subdue all things includes our ultimate redemption and glorification.
Philippians 3 21 Bonus Section
The concept of the transformation of believers' bodies connects to the Old Testament prophecies about the new creation and a redeemed people. Isaiah 25:8 speaks of death being swallowed up in victory, and Revelation 21:4 describes a future where there will be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying, nor pain. This transformation is the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan for humanity, restoring what was lost in the Fall. It assures believers that their current struggles and physical limitations are temporary, with an eternal future of glory awaiting them, all secured by the victorious power of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 3 21 Commentary
This verse presents the ultimate assurance and glorious hope for believers. Our present bodies, marked by frailty and destined for decay, will undergo a radical, supernatural transformation. This change is not a removal of the body but a perfection of it, made like Christ's glorified resurrection body. This divine reshaping is empowered by Christ's own inherent working power, the same dynamic force through which He is able to bring all creation under His dominion. It is a promise rooted in His omnipotence, ensuring our future physical perfection matches our spiritual transformation. Our citizenship in heaven guarantees this ultimate glorification of our earthly forms.