Veritable King James Version
1Finally, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble for me, and it is a safeguard for you.
2Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the mutilation.
3For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and boast in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh,
4although I myself could have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more:
5circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee;
6as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the law, found blameless.
7But whatever things were gain to me, these I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.
8More than that, I count all things to be loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, so that I may gain Christ
9and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith,
10that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death;
11if somehow I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
12Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
13Brothers and sisters, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,
14I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
15Therefore let us, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you.
16However, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained.
17Brothers and sisters, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.
18For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even with tears, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ,
19whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things.
20For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
21who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself. © Veritable King James Version (VKJV) 2025. All Rights Reserved. Philippians 4 The Letter to the Philippians, Chapter 4 | VKJV
Translation notes
Translation Notes *To loipon* (finally) signals a shift but continues the theme of joy. *Chairete en kyriō* (rejoice in the Lord) is a present imperative for ongoing joy grounded in Christ. Repeating warnings serves as a *asphales* (safeguard/protection). The triple *blepete* (beware/look out) intensifies the alert against *tous kynas* (the dogs—derogatory for unclean outsiders), *tous kakous ergatas* (the evil workers), and *tēn katatomēn* (the mutilation—a sharp pun on *peritomē*, circumcision, mocking those who insist on physical circumcision). True believers are *hē peritomē* (the circumcision), characterized by worshiping *pneumati theou* (by the Spirit of God), boasting *en Christō Iēsou*, and placing no *pepoithēsin en sarki* (confidence in the flesh). Paul then lists his impressive credentials (*eperchomenos kai en sarki*): circumcised the eighth day, Israelite, Benjaminite, Hebrew of Hebrews, Pharisee, zealous persecutor of the church, and blameless under the law. Yet he counts all these former *kerdē* (gains/profits) as *zēmia* (loss) because of Christ. *Hēgēmai* (I have counted) is perfect tense for a settled decision; *skubala* (rubbish/dung) is strong, vivid language for worthless refuse. The goal is *kerdēsō Christon* (gain Christ) and *heurethō en autō* (be found in Him), possessing *dikaiosynēn* not from law (*ek nomou*) but *dia pisteōs Christou* (through faith in Christ), the righteousness from God based on faith. This leads to *tou gnōnai auton* (knowing Him), the power of His resurrection, the fellowship of His sufferings, and being conformed (*symmorphizomenos*) to His death, with the hope of attaining the resurrection from the dead. Theological implication: All human religious achievement is worthless compared to knowing Christ; justification is by faith alone; true discipleship involves sharing Christ’s sufferings and resurrection power. Cross-references: Romans 3:21-26; Galatians 6:14-15; 2 Corinthians 11:18-28; Colossians 2:11.
Translation Notes *Ouch hoti ēdē elabon ē ēdē teteleiōmai* (not that I have already obtained it or have already been perfected) uses strong negation to reject any claim of having arrived. *Diōkō* (I press on/pursue) is present tense for continuous striving. *Katēlēmphthēn hypo Christou Iēsou* (I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus) recalls Paul’s Damascus road encounter—Christ’s initiative precedes human effort. The single focus (*hen de*) involves *epilanthanomenos ta opisō* (forgetting what lies behind) and *epekteinomenos tois emprosthen* (reaching forward to what lies ahead), like a runner stretching toward the finish. The *skopos* (goal) is the *brabeion* (prize) of the *anō klēseōs* (upward call) of God in Christ Jesus. *Hosoi oun teleioi* (as many as are perfect/mature) uses *teleios* ironically for those who recognize they are not yet perfect. The command is to *phronōmen* (have this attitude/mindset). If anyone thinks differently, God will reveal it. *Stoichein* (keep living/walking in line) by the same standard already attained emphasizes consistency in the Christian race. Theological implication: Sanctification is a lifelong pursuit; humility recognizes ongoing growth; Christ’s grasp on us motivates our pressing on. Cross-references: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; 1 Timothy 6:12; Hebrews 12:1-2.
Translation Notes *Symmimētai mou ginesthe* (join in following my example) calls for imitation of Paul and others who provide a reliable *typos* (pattern). In contrast, many *peripatousin* (walk) as *echthroi tou staurou tou Christou* (enemies of the cross of Christ)—their *telos* (end) is destruction (*apōleia*), their god is *hē koilia* (their appetite/belly), their glory is in shame, and they set their minds on *ta epigeia* (earthly things). *Hēmōn gar to politeuma en ouranois hyparchei* (our citizenship is in heaven) powerfully contrasts with Philippi’s status as a Roman colony—believers’ true *politeuma* (citizenship/commonwealth) is heavenly. From there we *apekdechometha* (eagerly await) the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He *metaschēmatisei* (will transform) *to sōma tēs tapeinōseōs hēmōn* (the body of our humble state/lowliness) to be conformed (*symmorphon*) to *tō sōmati tēs doxēs autou* (the body of His glory), through the working of His power that enables Him to subject all things to Himself. Theological implication: Christian living is shaped by heavenly citizenship and future hope; the cross stands against self-indulgence; Christ’s return brings glorious bodily transformation. Cross-references: Colossians 3:1-4; 1 Corinthians 15:42-49; 2 Corinthians 5:1-10; Ephesians 2:19.
© Veritable King James Version, 2026. All Rights Reserved.