Philippians 3:21 - Printer Friendly

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.

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.

NASB: who will transform the body of our lowly condition into conformity with His glorious body, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.

CSB: He will transform the body of our humble condition into the likeness of his glorious body, by the power that enables him to subject everything to himself.

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.

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.

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.

This verse ends the passage on a positive note. Saved believers can look forward to a time when every pain and problem with our earthly body will be exchanged for a new and improved body, one that will last forever with the Lord.

The power that will create our new bodies is unlimited. Paul's description refers back to Philippians 2:6–11. At the name of Jesus, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess (Philippians 2:10–11). He is the name that is above every name (Philippians 2:9). Jesus is equal with God (Philippians 2:6) and all things are subject to Him. Paul reminds his readers that this perfect God, with a perfect resurrected body, certainly has the power to return and provide a glorified body to those who believe in Him. Believers can take comfort in their future, knowing God has the power to transform our bodies and keep us secure with Him in His coming kingdom.

Philippians 3:12—4:1 explains the proper attitude Christians ought to have on the process of ''sanctification.'' This is the gradual, lifelong path of becoming more and more like Jesus. Our place in eternity is secure from the moment we trust in Christ, but it takes time to see our actions and attitudes change to be like His. Paul notes that he is not perfect, but encourages Christians to mimic his singular focus on pursuing Jesus. Paul also weeps for those who reject the gospel, a choice that will result in their destruction.

Paul details his impressive Jewish resume. None of his critics or challengers could boast the pedigree carried by Paul. He mentions this only to emphasize how little such things mean, next to faith in Christ. Paul's language here is sharp and to the point. He then explains how a Christian's focus ought to be purely on Christ, just as a runner concentrates on their goal in order to run effectively. Rather than looking to the past, or to ourselves, we ought to look forward, to an eternity with the Lord.

In chapters 1 and 2, Paul explained how Christians should respond to hardships. Since Christ was willing to obey God, even to the point of death, we should do the same. Complaining and worry have no place in the life of a saved believer. Chapter 3 makes a bold contrast. Paul's credentials, according to Jewish tradition, were impeccable. And yet, for him, none of those accomplishments are worth anything next to fellowship with Christ. For this reason, Christ is to be the sole focus of the believer. This sets up Paul's final greetings and instructions in chapter 4.

Philippians is Paul's discussion of living the Christian life. In this letter to the church of Philippi, Paul highlights themes such as joy and glory. He also puts great emphasis on how a Christian's thinking—their attitude—affects the way they live out their faith. Paul is very thankful for the support of the Philippian church, but is also concerned about the influence of various false teachers. This letter is less theological than most of his other writings, and more practical.