Philippians 3 4

Philippians 3:4 kjv

Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:

Philippians 3:4 nkjv

though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so:

Philippians 3:4 niv

though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more:

Philippians 3:4 esv

though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more:

Philippians 3:4 nlt

though I could have confidence in my own effort if anyone could. Indeed, if others have reason for confidence in their own efforts, I have even more!

Philippians 3 verses

Philippians 3 4 Meaning

Philippians 3:4 is a pivotal verse where the Apostle Paul prefaces his profound argument for the absolute worthlessness of human achievements in gaining God's favor. He boldly asserts that if anyone possesses legitimate reasons to boast in their natural endowments, religious practices, or human merits—referred to as "the flesh"—then he, Paul, had overwhelmingly more reasons to do so. This statement serves as a rhetorical device to underscore the powerful truth that all such confidence, even his own exceptional lineage and adherence to the Law, pales in comparison to the righteousness found in Christ. He positions himself as the ultimate example of someone who could boast, only to demonstrate why he emphatically does not.

Philippians 3 4 Context

Philippians chapter 3 is a fervent warning against legalism and false teaching, specifically targeting those who advocated for reliance on external religious observances and human merits for salvation or spiritual standing—often referred to as "Judaizers" in broader New Testament scholarship. Paul begins by sternly urging believers to "beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of those who mutilate the flesh!" (Phil 3:2), immediately contrasting this with the definition of true worshipers: those who "worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh" (Phil 3:3).

Verse 4 then dramatically shifts the rhetoric. Paul doesn't merely criticize legalism from an outsider's perspective; he states that by the standards of his opponents, he himself possessed the highest credentials for "confidence in the flesh." Historically, Paul (formerly Saul of Tarsus) was an exemplary Jew: a Pharisee trained under Gamaliel, blameless in his observance of the Law, and of impeccable Jewish lineage (Acts 22:3, Phil 3:5-6). This historical and cultural context is crucial. To the Jewish people, such distinctions were highly esteemed, seen as direct avenues to divine favor and righteousness. By presenting his superior "fleshly" qualifications, Paul strategically demonstrates that even the most impressive human efforts and inherited status are utterly worthless when it comes to true righteousness before God. This sets the stage for his revolutionary declaration in subsequent verses that he willingly discarded all such achievements as rubbish for the sake of Christ.

Philippians 3 4 Word analysis

• though (εἴπερ / eíper): A conditional particle meaning "if indeed," "if in fact," or "since." It implies that what follows is genuinely possible or even true, underscoring that Paul really did have grounds for this confidence, lending strength to his subsequent rejection of it.
• I myself (κἀγώ / kagó): An emphatic form of "I." It draws strong attention to Paul's personal experience, highlighting his authority to speak on this subject due to his own background and radical transformation.
• have reason (ἔχων / echōn): A present participle meaning "having" or "possessing." It denotes a state of possessing or having a basis for something, specifically a justifiable cause for confidence from a worldly or legalistic perspective.
• for confidence (πεποίθησιν / pepoíthesin): Means "trust," "reliance," or "assurance." It speaks to an internal conviction or strong belief in the reliability or efficacy of something. Here, it refers to misplaced trust in human capability rather than divine power.
• in the flesh (ἐν σαρκί / en sarkí): This phrase, fundamental to Paul's theology, refers to human nature, efforts, lineage, and accomplishments—anything that originates from human ability or status apart from the divine Spirit. In this context, it specifically refers to adherence to the Mosaic Law, religious rituals (like circumcision), and inherited Jewish identity.
• also (καί / kai): Adds emphasis, suggesting that his claims for confidence in the flesh are not merely speculative but exist alongside or are comparable to (or greater than) those of others.
• If anyone else (εἴ τις ἄλλος / ei tis allos): Introduces a hypothetical comparison. Paul opens the floor for others to state their credentials, only to implicitly overshadow them.
• thinks (δοκεῖ / dokei): "Supposes," "seems," "has an opinion." This term might subtly suggest that their perceived reasons for confidence are ultimately flawed or misguided, a mere human judgment.
• he has reason for confidence in the flesh (πεποιθέναι ἐν σαρκί / pepoithenai en sarki): This repeats the central idea of the verse—the act of placing trust or assurance in human capabilities or religious merit.
• I have more (ἐγὼ μᾶλλον / egó mállon): "I more," or "rather, I." Paul’s emphatic "I" combined with "more" assertively declares his superior credentials in this "fleshly" contest, serving as a rhetorical flourish before he unveils his rejection of all such merits.

• though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also: This phrase is Paul setting up his argument. He's not boasting in the flesh here, but rather acknowledging, for the sake of argument, that he meets or exceeds any possible standard of fleshly achievement. This establishes his unique vantage point for the following condemnation of reliance on such things. It signals that his rejection of "fleshly confidence" is not out of necessity (because he lacked it), but out of profound conviction.
• If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: This is a direct challenge to the false teachers and any believer leaning on human effort. Paul's rhetorical move here is hyperbole: he uses his own undeniable and extensive list of accomplishments within the Jewish framework (to be elaborated in Phil 3:5-6) to expose the futility of confidence in any human merit. He's effectively saying, "You think you've got reasons to boast? I've got more, yet I count it all as loss." It underscores the universal irrelevance of fleshly claims for salvation.

Philippians 3 4 Bonus section

• Paul employs a sophisticated rhetorical device known as ad hominem argument turned on its head. Instead of attacking the person, he takes on their own value system (fleshly confidence) and demonstrates his supremacy within it, only to then dismantle the entire system's validity. This strategy lends tremendous credibility to his ultimate conclusion regarding righteousness through faith.
• This verse represents Paul’s deep immersion in both Jewish legal tradition and Roman rhetorical methods. His understanding of how to establish authority and then use that authority to deconstruct a flawed system is clearly evident.
• The "flesh" here is not just sinful human nature but the whole realm of human existence, activity, and achievement considered apart from or in opposition to God's Spirit. It encapsulates human effort to be righteous or to earn divine favor.

Philippians 3 4 Commentary

Philippians 3:4 is the launching point for Paul's deeply personal and theological argument against legalism, presenting himself as the ultimate antithesis to relying on human merits for divine acceptance. Having just condemned "confidence in the flesh" (Phil 3:3), Paul pivots to stunningly declare that, by any human standard, his own resume of religious, ethnic, and legal achievements far surpassed those of his detractors. He could, hypothetically, out-boast any who boasted in their "flesh." This isn't Paul seeking to validate himself but to preemptively disarm any argument that his rejection of the Law's requirements was due to his own inadequacy. Instead, his subsequent testimony will show that he actively discarded these extraordinary advantages, not out of failure, but out of a profound and costly revaluation spurred by knowing Christ. The verse powerfully sets up the profound spiritual arithmetic of counting worldly "gain" as "loss" for the sake of an incomparably greater treasure: the righteousness that comes through faith in Jesus Christ alone.