Devine Scripture

Philippians 3:20

What does Philippians 3:20 mean?

A plain-English look at Philippians 3:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Philippians 3:20 means

Paul declares that believers’ citizenship is in heaven. Though the Philippians live in a Roman colony, their deepest identity and allegiance are in God’s realm. From there they eagerly await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Citizenship shapes values, hopes, and conduct. Waiting is not passive; it is watchful loyalty to the coming King. Calling Jesus “Savior” and “Lord” affirms His authority and rescue. This heavenly orientation counters the earthly-mindedness of verse 19. Christians belong to another commonwealth; their present life is a pilgrimage under the rule of a risen Lord whose return will consummate their salvation.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For our citizenship is in heaven; whence also we wait for a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For our citizenship is in heaven; whence also we wait for a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For our country is in heaven; from where the Saviour for whom we are waiting will come, even the Lord Jesus Christ:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

For our citizenship is in the heavens, whence also a Saviour we await--the Lord Jesus Christ--

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But our conversation is in heaven: from whence also we look for the Saviour, our Lord Jesus Christ,

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

for our commonwealth has its existence in [the] heavens, from which also we await the Lord Jesus Christ [as] Saviour,

Context

Verse 20 answers the earthly focus of verse 19 with the believer’s true homeland and hope. It sets the stage for verse 21’s promise that the returning Christ will transform our lowly bodies. The flow lifts the eyes from the enemies’ end to the church’s expectation. It also ties back to the race imagery: the prize is bound up with the heavenly calling and the coming Savior. By rooting identity in heaven, Paul strengthens the resolve to resist false teachers and to persevere in cross-shaped discipleship.

v.19whose end is perdition, whose god is the belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.

v.20This passage

v.21who shall fashion anew the body of our humiliation, that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, according to the working whereby he is able even to subject all things unto himself.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Psalms 17:15

    As for me, I shall behold thy face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with beholding thy form.

  • Acts 1:11

    who also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye looking into heaven? this Jesus, who was received up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye beheld him going into heaven.

  • Titus 2:13

    looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

  • Hebrews 9:28

    so Christ also, having been once offered to bear the sins of many, shall appear a second time, apart from sin, to them that wait for him, unto salvation.

  • Colossians 1:5

    because of the hope which is laid up for you in the heavens, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel,

  • Hebrews 12:22

    but ye are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable hosts of angels,

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