Philippians 3 9

Philippians 3:9 kjv

And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

Philippians 3:9 nkjv

and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;

Philippians 3:9 niv

and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ?the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.

Philippians 3:9 esv

and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith ?

Philippians 3:9 nlt

and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God's way of making us right with himself depends on faith.

Philippians 3 verses

Philippians 3 9 Meaning

Philippians 3:9 expresses the Apostle Paul's ultimate spiritual goal: to be found by God not relying on his own efforts or adherence to the Mosaic Law for righteousness, but to possess a righteousness that is a gift from God, received solely through faith in Jesus Christ. It marks a profound theological shift, contrasting human achievement with divine provision, declaring that a right standing before God is achieved through trusting Christ, not by law-keeping.

Philippians 3 9 Context

Philippians chapter 3 serves as a strong polemic against the "Judaizers" or "the circumcision party" (Phil 3:2), who were likely Jewish Christians insisting that Gentile believers needed to observe aspects of the Mosaic Law (especially circumcision) to be truly saved or perfectly righteous before God. Paul opens this section by warning the Philippians against these teachers. To underscore his point, he then recounts his own impeccable Jewish credentials (Phil 3:4-6): circumcised on the eighth day, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews, a Pharisee, persecuting the church out of zeal, and blameless concerning the law. These were his advantages, his "gains" in a system of self-righteousness. However, in verses 7-8, Paul decisively declares that he has come to count all these former advantages as "loss" for the sake of Christ, indeed as "rubbish" (σκύβαλα, skubala), because of the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus Christ his Lord. Verse 9 logically follows from this renunciation, explaining what Paul desires instead of his former self-achieved righteousness: a righteousness provided by God through faith. It articulates the desired state of being "found in Christ," grounded not in his own deeds but in Christ's completed work.

Philippians 3 9 Word analysis

• and be found (καὶ εὑρεθῶ, kai heurethō): This Greek verb often means "to be recognized," "discovered," or "to come to be known as." Here, it signifies Paul's desire for his ultimate standing and identity before God to be determined in a specific way. It points to a definitive spiritual status.
• in him (ἐν αὐτῷ, en autō): This powerful phrase, "in Christ," signifies deep union and identification. It means Paul's spiritual reality, existence, and standing before God are entirely rooted in and derived from Christ. His destiny and identity are intertwined with Christ.
• not having (μὴ ἔχων, mē echōn): A negative participle, indicating a deliberate lack or absence. It marks a clear rejection of an alternative.
• a righteousness (δικαιοσύνην, dikaiosynēn): Refers to a right standing or moral rectitude before God. Paul here differentiates between two kinds of righteousness.
• of my own (ἐμὴν, emēn): Emphatically highlights "my own" or "personal." It specifies a righteousness originating from and belonging to the individual, cultivated by human effort. This directly counters pride and self-sufficiency.
• that comes from the law (τὴν ἐκ νόμου, tēn ek nomou): The preposition ek denotes source or origin. This phrase identifies the Mosaic Law as the (defective) source of this self-generated righteousness, pursued through strict observance and rule-keeping.
• but that which is through faith in Christ (ἀλλὰ τὴν διὰ πίστεως Χριστοῦ, alla tēn dia pisteōs Christou): "But" (ἀλλὰ, alla) introduces a sharp contrast. "Through" (διὰ, dia) signifies the channel or means by which this superior righteousness is obtained. "Faith in Christ" points to trust and reliance on Jesus as the agent of salvation. The genitive "Christou" is best understood here as objective genitive: "faith in Christ."
• the righteousness from God (τὴν ἐκ Θεοῦ δικαιοσύνην, tēn ek Theou dikaiosynēn): Clarifies the ultimate source of the true righteousness – it originates from God, emphasizing its divine nature and gift-like quality. This is contrasted with self-originated righteousness.
• that depends on faith (ἐπὶ τῇ πίστει, epi tē pistei): "Depends on" (ἐπὶ, epi + dative) here indicates the foundation or basis. This phrase reiterates and emphasizes the crucial role of faith as the condition for receiving God's righteousness. It underlines that this righteousness is accessed by faith, not by performance.

Philippians 3 9 Bonus section

The double mention of "faith" in this verse serves to heavily underscore its indispensability. First, "through faith in Christ" points to Christ as the object of faith, the one whose work provides righteousness. Second, "the righteousness from God that depends on faith" reiterates faith as the subjective means of reception. This emphatic repetition counters any potential misinterpretation that Christ merely aids human effort. Furthermore, the term "righteousness" (dikaiosynē) here predominantly refers to forensic righteousness, a legal declaration of being right before God. While such righteousness has transformative implications, its initial primary meaning in this context is a bestowed status, distinct from an inherent, achieved moral perfection. This "righteousness from God" is Christ's righteousness attributed to believers, rather than their own inherently perfect state.

Philippians 3 9 Commentary

Philippians 3:9 encapsulates a foundational tenet of the Christian faith, a stark dichotomy between two paths to righteousness: self-effort versus divine grace. Paul, with all his unparalleled human credentials, vehemently rejects any notion of establishing his own right standing with God through adherence to the law. He understands that any righteousness gained from his own striving, however meticulous, is utterly insufficient and flawed. Instead, he fervently desires to be found in Christ, receiving a righteousness that has its sole origin in God Himself, channeled through faith in Jesus. This righteousness is not earned; it is graciously imputed and embraced by trusting in Christ's finished work. This verse stands as a powerful declaration that our justification comes from God as a gift, solely on the basis of faith, liberating believers from the futile burden of law-keeping for salvation. Practically, this truth brings assurance of salvation, freedom from performance anxiety before God, and fosters deep humility and gratitude for Christ's sacrifice. It empowers believers to live out of this secured righteousness, rather than striving for it.