Devine Scripture

Philippians 3:9

What does Philippians 3:9 mean?

A plain-English look at Philippians 3:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Philippians 3:9 means

To “be found in him” means to belong to Christ so fully that one’s standing before God rests not on personal law-keeping but on righteousness that comes from God through faith in Christ. Paul contrasts two ways: a righteousness of one’s own versus the righteousness granted by God. The latter is received by faith, not earned. This is the heart of justification—God declares the believer righteous for Christ’s sake. Union with Christ is both shelter and status: in Him, our sins are not counted against us, and His righteousness is counted to us. This frees the conscience and redirects boasting, so all glory goes to Christ, not to self.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and be found in him, not having a righteousness of mine own, even that which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and be found in him, not having a righteousness of mine own, even that which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And be seen in him, not having my righteousness which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

not having my righteousness, which <FI>is<Fi> of law, but that which <FI>is<Fi> through faith of Christ--the righteousness that is of God by the faith,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And may be found in him, not having my justice, which is of the law, but that which is of the faith of Christ Jesus, which is of God: justice in faith.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and that I may be found in him, not having my righteousness, which [would be] on the principle of law, but that which is by faith of Christ, the righteousness which [is] ofGod through faith,

Context

Verse 9 clarifies the positive content of “gaining Christ” from verse 8. It explains why former credentials are loss: they cannot produce the righteousness God requires. The contrast makes sense of the whole chapter’s warning and testimony. Verses 10–11 will then move from the legal/positional aspect (justification) to the experiential/transformational aspect (knowing Christ’s power and sufferings). The sequence matters: security in Christ’s righteousness grounds the pursuit of deeper knowledge and endurance, preventing both despair and pride as Paul presses on.

v.8Yea verily, and I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but refuse, that I may gain Christ,

v.9This passage

v.10that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming conformed unto his death;

Cross references

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

  • Isaiah 53:11

    He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by the knowledge of himself shall my righteous servant justify many; and he shall bear their iniquities.

  • Romans 7:5

    For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were through the law, wrought in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.

  • Romans 1:17

    For therein is revealed a righteousness of God from faith unto faith: as it is written, But the righteous shall live by faith.

  • 1 John 1:8

    If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

  • Romans 3:19

    Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it speaketh to them that are under the law; that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may be brought under the judgment of God:

  • Isaiah 46:13

    I bring near my righteousness, it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry; and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.

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