Philippians 3:21
What does Philippians 3:21 mean?
A plain-English look at Philippians 3:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Philippians 3:21 means
Christ will transform “the body of our humiliation” to be conformed to “the body of his glory.” Our present bodies, subject to weakness, decay, and dishonor, will be refashioned like His resurrection body. This is not mere improvement but transformation by divine power—the same power by which He can subject all things to Himself. The promise is personal and cosmic: Jesus is Lord over creation and history, and He will complete salvation in our very flesh. This hope dignifies the body now and sustains endurance. The end of the race is glory with Christ, secured by His sovereign might and faithful love.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000who 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Who 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901who 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949By whom this poor body of ours will be changed into the image of the body of his glory, in the measure of the working by which he is able to put all things under himself.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862who shall transform the body of our humiliation to its becoming conformed to the body of his glory, according to the working of his power, even to subject to himself the all things.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Who will reform the body of our lowness, made like to the body of his glory, according to the operation whereby also he is able to subdue all things unto himself.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890who shall transform our body of humiliation into conformity to his body of glory, according to the working of [the] power which he has even to subdue all things to himself.
Context
Verse 21 completes the chapter by detailing the hope introduced in verse 20. The Savior believers await is able to accomplish total renewal, including bodily transformation. This final note brings the contrasts of the chapter to a climax: enemies end in destruction, but citizens of heaven end in glory. It also circles back to verses 10–11 about resurrection and conformity to Christ. With this eschatological assurance, Paul’s calls to rejoice, beware, count all as loss, and press on gain their full force and comfort.
v.20For our citizenship is in heaven; whence also we wait for a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
v.21This passage
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Revelation 20:11
And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat upon it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
- Colossians 3:4
When Christ, who is our life, shall be manifested, then shall ye also with him be manifested in glory.
- Matthew 22:29
But Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.
- Revelation 1:8
I am the Alpha and the Omega, saith the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.
- John 11:24
Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
- Romans 8:29
For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren:
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