Rejoicing in Christ and Warning Against False Teachers

1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is not tedious for me, and it is safe for you.

2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation.

3 For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and do not put confidence in the flesh,

4 though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I more:
5 circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; regarding the law, a Pharisee;
6 regarding zeal, persecuting the assembly; regarding righteousness under the law, blameless.

7 But what things were gain to me, these I counted loss because of Christ.
8 Indeed, I also count all things loss because of the surpassing knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and I count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ
9 and may be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God on the basis of faith,
10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,
11 if somehow I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Pressing Toward the Goal

12 Not that I have already obtained, or have already been perfected, but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
13 Brethren, I do not consider that I have laid hold of it; but one thing I do: forgetting the things behind and stretching forward to the things ahead,
14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

15 Therefore, let us, as many as are perfect, have this mind; and if in anything you have a different mind, God will reveal even this to you.
16 Nevertheless, let us hold to the same standard that which we have attained, may we be of one mind.

Following the Example of Paul

17 Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.
18 For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ,
19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their mind on earthly things.

20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ,
21 who will transform our lowly body, to be like His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subject all things to Himself.