Philippians 3:3-16

New International Version

³ For it is we who are the circumcision,^(A) we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus,^(B) and who put no confidence in the flesh— ⁴ though I myself have reasons for such confidence.^(C)

If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: ⁵ circumcised^(D) on the eighth day, of the people of Israel,^(E) of the tribe of Benjamin,^(F) a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee;^{(G) 6} as for zeal,^(H) persecuting the church;^(I) as for righteousness based on the law,^(J) faultless.

⁷ But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss^(K) for the sake of Christ. ⁸ What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing^(L) Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ^{(M) 9} and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law,^(N) but that which is through faith in^[a] Christ—the righteousness^(O) that comes from God on the basis of faith.^{(P) 10} I want to know^(Q) Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings,^(R) becoming like him in his death,^{(S) 11} and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection^(T) from the dead.

¹² Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal,^(U) but I press on to take hold^(V) of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.^{(W) 13} Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind^(X) and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴ I press on^(Y) toward the goal to win the prize^(Z) for which God has called^(AA) me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Following Paul’s Example

¹⁵ All of us, then, who are mature^(AB) should take such a view of things.^(AC) And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.^{(AD) 16} Only let us live up to what we have already attained.