Philippians 3:4
“Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Paul notes that if anyone could boast in human credentials, he could do so more than most.
What Does Philippians 3:4 Mean?
Paul anticipates an objection. It might seem he rejects confidence in the flesh only because he lacks impressive credentials. So he turns the tables: if anyone could boast in such things, he could do so more than most.
Paul is no stranger to the very advantages the false teachers prized. He possessed them in abundance, as the next verses will detail. By establishing his credentials, he removes any suspicion that he disparages them out of envy or lack. He had the most to lose and lost it gladly. This sets up the powerful contrast to come: a man who held every human advantage and counted it all as nothing for the sake of Christ. Paul's argument carries weight precisely because he speaks from the inside, having walked away from everything he is about to list.