Philippians 3:17-21

Straining Toward the Goal

¹⁷ Brothers, _u join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk _v according to the example you have in us. ¹⁸ For _w many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you _x even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. ¹⁹ _y Their end is destruction, _z their god is their belly, and _a they glory in their shame, with _b minds set on earthly things. ²⁰ But _c our citizenship is in heaven, and _d from it we _e await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹ who will transform _f our lowly body _g to be like his glorious body, _h by the power that enables him even _i to subject all things to himself.

1. Cross References
   Philippians 4:9
   What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me - practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
   1 Corinthians 4:16
   I urge you, then, be imitators of me.
   
2. Cross References
   1 Peter 5:3
   Not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.
   
3. Cross References
   2 Corinthians 11:13
   For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.
   
4. Cross References
   Acts 20:31
   Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish everyone with tears.
   
5. Cross References
   2 Corinthians 11:15
   So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.
   2 Thessalonians 1:9
   They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might.
   2 Peter 2:1
   But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.
   2 Peter 2:3
   And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.
   
6. Cross References
   Romans 16:18
   For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.
   
7. Cross References
   Hosea 4:7
   The more they increased, the more they sinned against me; I will change their glory into shame.
   2 Corinthians 11:12
   And what I do I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do.
   Galatians 6:13
   For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.
   Jude 1:13
   Wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever.
   
8. Cross References
   Romans 8:5
   For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.
   Colossians 3:2
   Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
   
9. Cross References
   Ephesians 2:19
   So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.
   
10. Cross References
    Acts 1:11
    And said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.
    
11. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 1:7
    So that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ.
    
12. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 15:43 - 53
    It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power.
    
13. Cross References
    Philippians 3:10
    That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.
    Colossians 3:4
    When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
    Romans 8:29
    For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
    
14. Cross References
    Ephesians 1:19
    And what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might
    
15. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 15:28
    When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.