Philippians 3:19

Philippians 3:19

Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

a. NLT: They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth.

b. NIV: Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things.

c. YLT: Whose end is destruction, whose god is the belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who the things on earth are minding.

d. Amplified Bible Classic: They are doomed and their fate is eternal misery (perdition); their god is their stomach (their appetites, their sensuality) and they glory in their shame, siding with earthly things and being of their party.

e. Worrell Translation: Whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who are thinking of earthly things.

f. Wuest Translation: Whose end is utter destruction, whose god is their stomach, and that which they esteem to be their glory is their shame, who regard the things of the earth,

1. “Whose end is destruction…”

a. Whose [Strong: 3739 hos hos, including feminine he hay, and neuter ho ho probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article 3588); the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that:--one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc.]

b. end [Strong: 5056 telos tel'-os from a primary tello (to set out for a definite point or goal); properly, the point aimed at as a limit, i.e. (by implication) the conclusion of an act or state (termination (literally, figuratively or indefinitely), result (immediate, ultimate or prophetic), purpose); specially, an impost or levy (as paid):--+ continual, custom, end(-ing), finally, uttermost.] [Bullinger: the fulfillment or completion of any thing] [Thayer: termination, the limit at which a thing ceases to be (always of the end of some act or state, but not of the end of a period of time).]

c. [is] destruction [Strong: 684 apoleia ap-o'-li-a from a presumed derivative of 622; ruin or loss (physical, spiritual or eternal):--damnable(-nation), destruction, die, perdition, X perish, pernicious ways, waste.] [Thayer: destroying, utter destruction, of vessels, a perishing, ruin, destruction, of money, the destruction which consists of eternal misery in hell.]

1). This is referring to the final state of individuals, in particular these enemies of the cross of Christ, after their judgment.

2. “…whose God is their belly…”

a. whose [Strong: 3739 hos hos, including feminine he hay, and neuter ho ho probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article 3588); the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that:--one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc.]

b. God [Strong: 2316 theos theh'-os of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with 3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).]

c. [is] their [Strong: 3588 ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.]

d. belly [Strong: 2836 koilia koy-lee'-ah from koilos ("hollow"); a cavity, i.e. (especially) the abdomen; by implication, the matrix; figuratively, the heart:--belly, womb.] [Thayer: the whole belly, the entire cavity, the innermost part of a man, the soul, heart as the seat of thought, feeling, choice.]

1). In this verse we get some characteristics of these enemies of God. These enemies of God are spiritual whores, their god is their belly, the lusts of the eyes, the lusts of the flesh and the pride of life. They cause division and they are hypocrites.

a). Romans 16:17, 18 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

16:18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

b). Job 15:34, 35 For the congregation of hypocrites [shall be] desolate, and fire shall consume the tabernacles of bribery.

15:35 They conceive mischief, and bring forth vanity, and their belly prepareth deceit.

3. “…and whose glory is in their shame…”

a. and [Strong: 2532 kai kahee apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

b. [whose] glory [Strong: 1391 doxa dox'-ah from the base of 1380; glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or subjective):--dignity, glory(-ious), honour, praise, worship.] [Bullinger: opinion, notion, it denotes the recognition which one finds, or which belongs to him, renown. Then from the meaning comes the appearance of a person or the thing which attracts attention or commands recognition.] [Thayer: opinion, judgment, view, opinion, estimate, whether good or bad concerning someone.]

1). What is their glory, what are they known for, what about them attracts attention, what is their reputation.

2). Albert Barnes Commentary: That is, they glory in things of which they ought to be ashamed. They indulge in modes of living which ought to cover them with confusion.

c. is in [Strong: 1722 en en a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.

d. their [Strong: 846 autos ow-tos' from the particle au (perhaps akin to the base of 109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative 1438) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which.]

e. shame [Strong: 152  aischune ahee-skhoo'-nay from 153; shame or disgrace (abstractly or concretely):--dishonesty, shame.]  [Bullinger; the sense of disgrace, the shame, the feeling which attends the performance of a dishonourable deed.]

1). Their glory is in their shame. This is in part a work of God to reward them for their rejection of Him.

a). Hosea 4:7 As they were increased, so they sinned against me: therefore will I change their glory into shame.

b). Malachi 2:8, 9 But ye are departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble at the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the LORD of hosts.

2:9 Therefore have I also made you contemptible and base before all the people, according as ye have not kept my ways, but have been partial in the law.

c). 1 Samuel 2:30 Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.

4. “…who mind earthly things.)”

a. who [Strong: 3588 ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.]

b. mind [Strong: 5426  phroneo fron-eh'-o from 5424; to exercise the mind, i.e. entertain or have a sentiment or opinion; by implication, to be (mentally) disposed (more or less earnestly in a certain direction); intensively, to interest oneself in (with concern or obedience):--set the affection on, (be) care(-ful), (be like-, + be of one, + be of the same, + let this) mind(-ed), regard, savour, think.] [Thayer: to have understanding, be wise, to feel, to think, to direct one's mind to a thing, to seek, to strive for, to seek one's interest or advantage.]

c. earthly things [Strong: 1919 epigeios ep-ig'-i-os from 1909 and 1093; worldly (physically or morally):--earthly, in earth, terrestrial.] [Thayer: existing upon the earth, earthly, terrestrial.]

1). This is not condemning the necessary earthly responsibilities of living life on this earth. It has already been shown that these are living their lives just to please themselves, in the lusts of the eyes and flesh. They are enemies of God and of the things of God, they actively oppose Him. Their whole life is consumed with “earthly things”.

a). Romans 8:5, 6 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

b). Galatians 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

2). Believers on the other hand, are not to live this way. While successfully accomplishing the responsibilities of living life on this earth, we do so with an eternal view.

a). Colossians 3:1-4 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.