Devine Scripture

Philippians 3:6

What does Philippians 3:6 mean?

A plain-English look at Philippians 3:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Philippians 3:6 means

Paul adds two qualities: zeal that drove him to persecute the church, and a blameless record in law-keeping. His zeal shows passionate sincerity, yet sincerity can oppose God when misdirected. His blamelessness means that, by observable standards, he kept the rules. These were the highest badges in legalistic circles, but they also exposed the heart’s blindness. The very zeal that seemed holy made him an enemy of Christ’s people. The law he thought made him righteous could not produce love. This honest self-portrait prepares the way for grace: even the best version of fleshly religion fails to reconcile a sinner to God or to produce the life Christ gives.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

as touching zeal, persecuting the church; as touching the righteousness which is in the law, found blameless.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

as touching zeal, persecuting the church; as touching the righteousness which is in the law, found blameless.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

In bitter hate I was cruel to the church; I kept all the righteousness of the law to the last detail.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

according to zeal persecuting the assembly! according to righteousness that is in law becoming blameless!

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

According to zeal, persecuting the church of God: According to the justice that is in the law, conversing without blame.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

as to zeal, persecuting the assembly; as to righteousness which [is] in [the] law, found blameless;

Context

Verse 6 completes Paul’s credentials begun in verse 5. With the résumé fully displayed, the stage is set for a decisive reevaluation in verse 7. The reader must feel the shocking turn: a man who excelled in zeal and obedience calls his former gains “loss.” This prepares for verses 8–9, where Paul explains that gaining Christ and receiving God’s righteousness by faith renders previous grounds of boasting worthless. The contrast between zealous persecution and gospel grace also anticipates verses 10–11, where knowing Christ includes sharing His sufferings rather than inflicting them.

v.5circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;

v.6This passage

v.7Howbeit what things were gain to me, these have I counted loss for Christ.

Cross references

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

  • Matthew 23:25

    Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye cleanse the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full from extortion and excess.

  • Acts 8:3

    But Saul laid waste the church, entering into every house, and dragging men and women committed them to prison.

  • 1 Timothy 1:13

    though I was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: howbeit I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief;

  • Luke 1:6

    And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

  • 1 Corinthians 15:9

    For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

  • Romans 9:31

    but Israel, following after a law of righteousness, did not arrive at that law.

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