PHP 3:3 Interlinear View

1. Greek word
2. Greek lemma
3. OET-LV words
4. OET-RV words
5. Strongs
6. Role/Morphology
7. OET Gloss
8. VLT Gloss
9. CAPS codes
10. Confidence
11. OET tags
12. OET word #
1. ἡμεῖς
2. egō
3. we
4. we
5. 14730
6. R···1N·P
7. we
8. we
9. -
10. Y64; R130717; Person=Paul; R131564; R131647; Person=Epaphroditus; R131761
11. 131788
1. Γάρ
2. gar
3. For/Because
4. because
5. 10630
6. C·······
7. for
8. for
9. S
10. Y64
11. 131789
1. ἐσμέν
2. eimi
3. are
4. -
5. 15100
6. VIPA1··P
7. are
8. are
9. -
10. Y64
11. 131790
1. ἡ
2. ho
3. the
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····NFS
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. Y64
11. 131791
1. περιτομή
2. peritomē
3. circumcision
4. ‘circumcised
5. 40610
6. N····NFS
7. circumcision
8. circumcision
9. -
10. Y64
11. 131792
1. οἱ
2. ho
3. the ones
4. -
5. 35880
6. R····NMP
7. the ‹ones›
8. the ‹ones›
9. -
10. Y64
11. 131793
1. ἐν
2. en
3. -
4. -
5. 17220
6. P·······
7. in
8. in
9. -
10. -
11. 131794
1. Πνεύματι
2. pneuma
3. in +the spirit
4. spirit
5. 41510
6. N····DNS
7. ˱in˲ ˓the˒ spirit
8. ˱in˲ ˓the˒ Spirit
9. GN
10. Y64; Person=Holy_Spirit
11. 131795
1. Θεοῦ
2. theos
3. of god
4. -
5. 23160
6. N····GMS
7. ˱of˲ god
8. ˱of˲ God
9. GN
10. Y64; Person=God
11. 131796
1. Θεῷ
2. theos
3. -
4. -
5. 23160
6. N····DMS
7. god
8. God
9. GN
10. Person=God
11. 131797
1. λατρεύοντες
2. latreuō
3. worshiping
4. worship
5. 30000
6. VPPA·NMP
7. worshiping
8. worshiping
9. -
10. Y64
11. 131798
1. καί
2. kai
3. and
4. -
5. 25320
6. C·······
7. and
8. and
9. -
10. Y64
11. 131799
1. καυχώμενοι
2. kauχaomai
3. boasting
4. boast
5. 27440
6. VPPM·NMP
7. boasting
8. boasting
9. -
10. Y64
11. 131800
1. ἐν
2. en
3. in
4. -
5. 17220
6. P·······
7. in
8. in
9. -
10. Y64
11. 131801
1. Χριστῷ
2. χristos
3. chosen one messiah
4. Messiah
5. 55470
6. N····DMS
7. chosen_one/messiah
8. Christ
9. WN
10. Y64; Person=Jesus
11. 131802
1. Ἰησοῦ
2. iēsous
3. Yaʸsous/(Yəhōshūˊa)
4. -
5. 24240
6. N····DMS
7. Yaʸsous/(Yəhōshūˊa)
8. Jesus
9. UN
10. Person=Jesus; Y64
11. 131803
1. καί
2. kai
3. and
4. -
5. 25320
6. C·······
7. and
8. and
9. -
10. Y64
11. 131804
1. οὐκ
2. ou
3. not
4. don't
5. 37560
6. D·······
7. not
8. not
9. -
10. Y64
11. 131805
1. ἐν
2. en
3. in
4. -
5. 17220
6. P·······
7. in
8. in
9. -
10. Y64
11. 131806
1. σαρκί
2. sarka
3. +the flesh
4. -
5. 45610
6. N····DFS
7. ˓the˒ flesh
8. ˓the˒ flesh
9. -
10. Y64
11. 131807
1. πεποιθότες
2. peithō
3. having trusted
4. trust
5. 39820
6. VPEA·NMP
7. ˓having˒ trusted
8. ˓having˒ trusted
9. -
10. Y64
11. 131808

SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 3:1–4:1: The Philippians should follow Paul’s example and trust Christ to make them righteous

Paul told the believers to watch out for those who were teaching that believers must be circumcised. He also warned them against those who were proud of doing evil. He encouraged them to follow his example instead. Paul tried to be like Christ and depended on him alone in order to become righteous.

In both 3:1 and 4:1, Paul talked about being joyful. Therefore, it is possible to consider that 3:1 is an introduction to this section and 4:1 is a summary of this section. However, some English versions consider that 3:1a is the final statement in the previous section and so attach it to the end of chapter 2 (REB, NJB, NRSV). You may want to follow whatever the national language version in your area does here.

Paragraph 3:1b–4a

Paul told the Philippians to be on their guard against people who called themselves Christians but were teaching that Gentile Christians must become like Jews as well as trusting Christ. Paul made it clear that God saves people because of what Jesus has done for them, not because they obey the Jewish laws.

3:3a

For it is we who are the circumcision,

For it is we^(incl) who are truly God’s people.
I say this because we^(incl) are God’s true people not these people.

we: The word we in this verse includes the Philippians as well as Paul. In some languages it may be necessary to make it clear that the word does not include the Judaizers. For example:

It is we^(incl), not them, who are the circumcision….

the circumcision: When Paul was referred to himself and the Philippians as the circumcision, he meant that they were the true people of God.

3:3b

we who worship by the Spirit of God,

We^(incl) are the ones who worship with the help of the Holy Spirit of God.
God’s Spirit helps us^(incl) worship [him/God].

worship by the Spirit of God: There is a textual problem with this part of the verse. The two possibilities are:

“worship by/in the Spirit of God”; (BSB, NIV, NET, NASB, NJB, REB, CEV, NRSV)
“worship God by/in the Spirit/spirit”; (RSV, KJV, NLT; probably GNT, NCV)

There is no real difference in meaning. It is recommended that you follow the first option (1). Paul was saying that true believers worship with the help of God’s Spirit. However, in some languages it will be necessary to supply an object for worship. If this is true in your language, you should use “God” as the object of worship.

Some ideas for translating 3:3b are:

We worship God because his Spirit helps us.

God’s Spirit is the one who helps us to worship God/him.

the Spirit of God: This refers to the Holy Spirit.

General Comment on 3:3a–b

One way to translate 3:3a–b is:

We are the true people of God, for by means of God’s Holy Spirit we worship God.

3:3c

who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh—

We^(incl) glorify Christ Jesus and do not depend on our^(incl) own human efforts
We^(incl) take pride in Christ Jesus and depend on him, rather than depending on what we^(incl) have done in order for God to save us^(incl).

who glory in Christ Jesus: Here Paul was saying that true believers are proud only of Christ Jesus, and depend only on Christ Jesus to save them.

glory: In this context the Greek word kauchaomai, that the BSB translates as glory, means “to be proud of something,” “to boast about something” or “to rejoice about something.” The same Greek word was used in 2:16 though the form and context are slightly different.

Some ways to translate the whole phrase are:

We boast because Christ Jesus is the one who saves us.

Christ Jesus is the one we are proud of.

and who put no confidence in the flesh: This says the same thing as the previous clause but in a negative way. The believer cannot depend on anything but Christ. He cannot trust traditional ceremonies, such as circumcision, or any achievements of his own.

put…confidence: In Greek this is one word, a verb that means “to trust in something, to rely/depend on something or someone.”

flesh: The BSB translates this from the Greek word sarx, which literally means flesh. This word sarx is an important term in the New Testament. However, it is used in different ways in different contexts. It is important, therefore, to make the meaning clear in each passage and not just translate it literally.

In this passage (3:3–6), sarx refers to human tradition, human effort, things to do with the earthly life, and more specifically, things that are outward or external. Paul made a clear contrast between the earthly (3:3–6) and the spiritual (3:7–11). See “flesh” in KBT.

Here are some ideas for how to translate the phrase “who put no confidence in the flesh”:

We do not depend on earthly/physical things.

We do not believe God will save us because of the things we do as humans.

We do not depend on earthly behavior like circumcision to save us.

General Comment on 3:2–3

Some translations have avoided using the idea of “circumcision” in 3:2–3. See 3:2c and 3:3a in the Display. However, circumcision is a very important term in the Bible and at some point you will have to decide how to translate it. Some translations say “cutting ritual,” “cutting ceremony” or “body-cutting ceremony.” Others have tried to follow the Greek and use a word that means circular cutting or cutting around. If you have a glossary in your translation, make sure that you explain the term clearly there.

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / exclusive

ἡμεῖς γάρ ἐσμεν

we (Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἡμεῖς Γάρ ἐσμέν ἡ περιτομή οἱ Πνεύματι Θεοῦ λατρεύοντες καί καυχώμενοι ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ καί οὐκ ἐν σαρκί πεποιθότες)

Paul uses we to refer to himself and the Philippian believers and anyone else who believes in Christ, so we is inclusive. Your language may require you to mark this form.

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

ἡ περιτομή

the circumcision

In contrast to its normal usage in the Bible, here Paul uses the term the circumcision as a metonym to refer to all true Christians. Normally, the term the circumcision was used to refer to Jewish males, all circumcised, but here Paul intentionally uses this term with a spiritual sense to refer to all Christians, both Jews and non-Jew. This would have been surprising to his readers. Paul’s use of the circumcision here refers to the inward, spiritual circumcision that the Holy Spirit performs in the hearts of all true Christians. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea behind this term using plain language.

οἱ Πνεύματι Θεοῦ λατρεύοντες

the_‹ones› ˱in˲_˓the˒_Spirit ˱of˲_God worshiping

Alternate translation: [the ones who are empowered by God’s Spirit to worship him] or [the ones who are enabled to worship God by his Spirit] or [the ones who worship God through his Spirit]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

οὐκ ἐν σαρκὶ πεποιθότες

not in (Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἡμεῖς Γάρ ἐσμέν ἡ περιτομή οἱ Πνεύματι Θεοῦ λατρεύοντες καί καυχώμενοι ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ καί οὐκ ἐν σαρκί πεποιθότες)

You can state explicitly that Paul did not have any confidence in the “works of” the flesh. Alternate translation: [having no confidence in the works of the flesh] or [not trusting that physical circumcision will please God] or [not trusting that being circumcized will earn God’s favor]

καυχώμενοι ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ, καὶ οὐκ ἐν σαρκὶ πεποιθότες

boasting in Christ Jesus (Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἡμεῖς Γάρ ἐσμέν ἡ περιτομή οἱ Πνεύματι Θεοῦ λατρεύοντες καί καυχώμενοι ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ καί οὐκ ἐν σαρκί πεποιθότες)

The phrase boasting in Christ Jesus and the phrase and having no confidence in the flesh are complementary ideas which express a similar truth. If people truly place their confidence in Christ as their only means of earning God’s favor, they will not put their confidence in themselves or religious acts. Conversely, if people put their confidence in religious rituals and observances, they cannot place their full confidence in Christ. Consider the best way to clearly express these coordinate ideas in your language.

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

καὶ οὐκ ἐν σαρκὶ πεποιθότες

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἡμεῖς Γάρ ἐσμέν ἡ περιτομή οἱ Πνεύματι Θεοῦ λατρεύοντες καί καυχώμενοι ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ καί οὐκ ἐν σαρκί πεποιθότες)

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of confidence, you can express the idea behind the abstract noun confidence with an adjective such as trusting or a verbal form such as trust. Alternate translation: [and we do not trust in our flesh]

OET-LV English word order (‘Reverse’ interlinear)

1. OET-LV words
2. OET-RV words
3. Strongs
4. Greek word
5. Greek lemma
6. Role/Morphology
7. OET Gloss
8. VLT Gloss
9. CAPS codes
10. Confidence
11. OET tags
12. OET word #
1. For/Because
2. because
3. 10630
4. S
5. gar
6. C-·······
7. for
8. for
9. S
10. Y64
11. 131789
1. we
2. we
3. 14730
5. egō
6. R-···1N·P
7. we
8. we
9. -
10. Y64; R130717; Person=Paul; R131564; R131647; Person=Epaphroditus; R131761
11. 131788
1. are
2. -
3. 15100
5. eimi
6. V-IPA1··P
7. are
8. are
9. -
10. Y64
11. 131790
1. the
2. -
3. 35880
5. ho
6. E-····NFS
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. Y64
11. 131791
1. circumcision
2. ‘circumcised
3. 40610
5. peritomē
6. N-····NFS
7. circumcision
8. circumcision
9. -
10. Y64
11. 131792
1. the ones
2. -
3. 35880
5. ho
6. R-····NMP
7. the ‹ones›
8. the ‹ones›
9. -
10. Y64
11. 131793
1. in +the spirit
2. spirit
3. 41510
4. GN
5. pneuma
6. N-····DNS
7. ˱in˲ ˓the˒ spirit
8. ˱in˲ ˓the˒ Spirit
9. GN
10. Y64; Person=Holy_Spirit
11. 131795
1. of god
2. -
3. 23160
4. GN
5. theos
6. N-····GMS
7. ˱of˲ god
8. ˱of˲ God
9. GN
10. Y64; Person=God
11. 131796
1. worshiping
2. worship
3. 30000
5. latreuō
6. V-PPA·NMP
7. worshiping
8. worshiping
9. -
10. Y64
11. 131798
1. and
2. -
3. 25320
5. kai
6. C-·······
7. and
8. and
9. -
10. Y64
11. 131799
1. boasting
2. boast
3. 27440
5. kauχaomai
6. V-PPM·NMP
7. boasting
8. boasting
9. -
10. Y64
11. 131800
1. in
2. -
3. 17220
5. en
6. P-·······
7. in
8. in
9. -
10. Y64
11. 131801
1. chosen one messiah
2. Messiah
3. 55470
4. WN
5. χristos
6. N-····DMS
7. chosen_one/messiah
8. Christ
9. WN
10. Y64; Person=Jesus
11. 131802
1. Yaʸsous/(Yəhōshūˊa)
2. -
3. 24240
4. UN
5. iēsous
6. N-····DMS
7. Yaʸsous/(Yəhōshūˊa)
8. Jesus
9. UN
10. Person=Jesus; Y64
11. 131803
1. and
2. -
3. 25320
5. kai
6. C-·······
7. and
8. and
9. -
10. Y64
11. 131804
1. not
2. don't
3. 37560
5. ou
6. D-·······
7. not
8. not
9. -
10. Y64
11. 131805
1. in
2. -
3. 17220
5. en
6. P-·······
7. in
8. in
9. -
10. Y64
11. 131806
1. +the flesh
2. -
3. 45610
5. sarka
6. N-····DFS
7. ˓the˒ flesh
8. ˓the˒ flesh
9. -
10. Y64
11. 131807
1. having trusted
2. trust
3. 39820
5. peithō
6. V-PEA·NMP
7. ˓having˒ trusted
8. ˓having˒ trusted
9. -
10. Y64
11. 131808

Note: The OET-RV is still only a first draft, and so far only a few words have been (mostly automatically) matched to the Hebrew or Greek words that they’re translated from.

Acknowledgements: The SR Greek text, lemmas, morphology, and VLT gloss are all thanks to the CNTR.

OET interlinear PHP 3:3

SR Greek word order (including unused variant words in grey)