OET interlinear PHP 3:3

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]