Philippians 3:4
New International Version
though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more:

New Living Translation
though I could have confidence in my own effort if anyone could. Indeed, if others have reason for confidence in their own efforts, I have even more!

English Standard Version
though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more:

Berean Standard Bible
though I myself could have such confidence. If anyone else thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more:

Berean Literal Bible
though I have confidence even in the flesh. If any other thinks to trust in the flesh, I more:

King James Bible
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:

New King James Version
though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so:

New American Standard Bible
although I myself could boast as having confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he is confident in the flesh, I have more reason:

NASB 1995
although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more:

NASB 1977
although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more:

Legacy Standard Bible
although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more:

Amplified Bible
though I myself might have [some grounds for] confidence in the flesh [if I were pursuing salvation by works]. If anyone else thinks that he has reason to be confident in the flesh [that is, in his own efforts to achieve salvation], I have far more:

Christian Standard Bible
although I have reasons for confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more:

Holman Christian Standard Bible
although I once also had confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more:

American Standard Version
though I myself might have confidence even in the flesh: if any other man thinketh to have confidence in the flesh, I yet more:

Contemporary English Version
although I could. Others may brag about themselves, but I have more reason to brag than anyone else.

English Revised Version
though I myself might have confidence even in the flesh: if any other man thinketh to have confidence in the flesh, I yet more:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
although I could have confidence in my physical qualifications. If anyone else thinks that he can trust in something physical, I can claim even more.

Good News Translation
I could, of course, put my trust in such things. If any of you think you can trust in external ceremonies, I have even more reason to feel that way.

International Standard Version
although I could have confidence in the flesh. If anyone thinks he can place confidence in the flesh, I have more reason to think so.

Majority Standard Bible
though I myself could have such confidence. If anyone else thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more:

NET Bible
--though mine too are significant. If someone thinks he has good reasons to put confidence in human credentials, I have more:

New Heart English Bible
though I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else thinks that he has confidence in the flesh, I yet more:

Webster's Bible Translation
Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath reason to trust in the flesh, I more:

Weymouth New Testament
although I myself might have some excuse for confidence in outward ceremonies. If any one else claims a right to trust in them, far more may I:

World English Bible
though I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If any other man thinks that he has confidence in the flesh, I yet more:
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
though I also have [cause of] trust in flesh. If any other one thinks to have trust in flesh, I more:

Berean Literal Bible
though I have confidence even in the flesh. If any other thinks to trust in the flesh, I more:

Young's Literal Translation
though I also have cause of trust in flesh. If any other one doth think to have trust in flesh, I more;

Smith's Literal Translation
Although I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other think to have confidence in the flesh, I more:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other thinketh he may have confidence in the flesh, I more,

Catholic Public Domain Version
Nevertheless, I might have confidence also in the flesh, for if anyone else seems to have confidence in the flesh, more so do I.

New American Bible
although I myself have grounds for confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he can be confident in flesh, all the more can I.

New Revised Standard Version
even though I, too, have reason for confidence in the flesh. If anyone else has reason to be confident in the flesh, I have more:
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
As for me, I once relied on things of the flesh. However, if a man thinks his hope is on things of the flesh, I have more hope than he has;

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
As I did have trust in the flesh, for if a man has hoped in his trust in the flesh, I have more than he:
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
though, indeed, I have a ground of confidence in the flesh. If any other thinks he has a ground of confidence in the flesh, I more;

Godbey New Testament
even though also having confidence in the flesh. If any other one seems to have confidence in the flesh, I the more:

Haweis New Testament
Though I too might have confidence in the flesh; if any other man thinks that he may have confidence in the flesh, I may claim more:

Mace New Testament
which I might do more justly than any other man can pretend to:

Weymouth New Testament
although I myself might have some excuse for confidence in outward ceremonies. If any one else claims a right to trust in them, far more may I:

Worrell New Testament
though I might have confidence even in flesh; if any other man supposes that he has occasion for confidence in flesh, I more:

Worsley New Testament
Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other thinks he hath whereof to trust in the flesh, I more:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Righteousness through Faith
3For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— 4though I myself could have such confidence. If anyone else thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin; a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee;…

Cross References
2 Corinthians 11:18-22
Since many are boasting according to the flesh, I too will boast. / For you gladly put up with fools, since you are so wise. / In fact, you even put up with anyone who enslaves you or exploits you or takes advantage of you or exalts himself or strikes you in the face. ...

Galatians 1:13-14
For you have heard of my former way of life in Judaism, how severely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. / I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers.

Romans 11:1
I ask then, did God reject His people? Certainly not! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin.

Acts 22:3
“I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but raised in this city. I was educated at the feet of Gamaliel in strict conformity to the law of our fathers. I was just as zealous for God as any of you are today.

Acts 26:4-5
Surely all the Jews know how I have lived from my earliest childhood among my own people, and also in Jerusalem. / They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that I lived as a Pharisee, adhering to the strictest sect of our religion.

2 Corinthians 5:16
So from now on we regard no one according to the flesh. Although we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.

Romans 2:17-29
Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God; / if you know His will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; / if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those in darkness, ...

Galatians 6:14
But as for me, may I never boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

1 Corinthians 1:29-31
so that no one may boast in His presence. / It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God: our righteousness, holiness, and redemption. / Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”

Jeremiah 9:23-24
This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor the strong man in his strength, nor the wealthy man in his riches. / But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, who exercises loving devotion, justice and righteousness on the earth—for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.

1 Samuel 16:7
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.”

1 Kings 8:39
be heard by You from heaven, Your dwelling place. And may You forgive and act, and repay each man according to all his ways, since You know his heart—for You alone know the hearts of all men—

Isaiah 64:6
Each of us has become like something unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all wither like a leaf, and our iniquities carry us away like the wind.

Matthew 3:9
And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.

John 8:39
“Abraham is our father,” they replied. “If you were children of Abraham,” said Jesus, “you would do the works of Abraham.


Treasury of Scripture

Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinks that he has whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:

2 Corinthians 11:18-22
Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also…

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Although Cause Ceremonies Claims Confidence Excuse Faith Far Flesh Mind Outward Rather Reason Reasons Right Think Thinketh Thinks Trust Whereof
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Although Cause Ceremonies Claims Confidence Excuse Faith Far Flesh Mind Outward Rather Reason Reasons Right Think Thinketh Thinks Trust Whereof
Philippians 3
1. He warns them to beware of the false teachers;
4. showing that himself has greater cause than they to trust in the righteousness of the law;
7. which he counts as loss, to gain Christ and his righteousness;
12. acknowledging his own imperfection and pressing on toward the goal;
15. He exhorts them to be thus minded;
17. and to imitate him,
18. and to decline carnal ways.














though I myself could have such confidence
The Apostle Paul begins this verse by acknowledging that he, too, could place confidence in worldly or fleshly achievements. The Greek word for "confidence" here is "πεποίθησις" (pepoithesis), which implies a strong reliance or trust. Paul is setting the stage to contrast earthly credentials with spiritual worth. Historically, Paul was a Pharisee, a member of a group known for strict adherence to the Law. This background would have given him ample reason to boast in human terms, yet he chooses to highlight the futility of such confidence compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ.

If anyone else thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh
Paul challenges the notion of placing trust in human accomplishments or lineage. The phrase "grounds for confidence" translates from the Greek "δοκεῖ" (dokei), meaning "seems" or "thinks," suggesting a subjective judgment. "Flesh" (σάρξ, sarx) in this context refers to human nature and worldly achievements. Paul is addressing a common Jewish belief of the time that righteousness could be attained through adherence to the Law and physical descent from Abraham. This reflects a broader biblical theme where true righteousness is not based on human effort but on faith in God.

I have more
Paul asserts that if anyone could claim confidence in the flesh, it would be him. The Greek word "μᾶλλον" (mallon) means "more" or "to a greater degree." Paul lists his credentials in the following verses, which include his Jewish heritage and adherence to the Law. However, his purpose is not to boast but to demonstrate that even the most impressive human credentials are worthless compared to the righteousness found in Christ. This statement serves as a prelude to his argument that true confidence and identity are found in Christ alone, not in human achievements or status.

Verse 4. - Though I might also have confidence in the flesh; literally, though having myself confidence in the flesh also; that is, as well as in Christ. The apostle had both grounds of confidence: the one he renounces for the other; but no man could accuse him of despising that which he did not himself possess. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more. He claims the privileges of the Jew; they are his by right, but he counts them loss for Christ.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
though
καίπερ (kaiper)
Conjunction
Strong's 2539: Although, though. From kai and per; and indeed, i.e. Nevertheless or notwithstanding.

I myself
ἐγὼ (egō)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

could have
ἔχων (echōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

such confidence.
πεποίθησιν (pepoithēsin)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4006: Confidence, trust, reliance. From the perfect of the alternate of pascho; reliance.

If
Εἴ (Ei)
Conjunction
Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.

anyone
τις (tis)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5100: Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.

else
ἄλλος (allos)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 243: Other, another (of more than two), different. A primary word; 'else, ' i.e. Different.

thinks
δοκεῖ (dokei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1380: A prolonged form of a primary verb, doko dok'-o of the same meaning; to think; by implication, to seem.

he has grounds for confidence
πεποιθέναι (pepoithenai)
Verb - Perfect Infinitive Active
Strong's 3982: A primary verb; to convince; by analogy, to pacify or conciliate; reflexively or passively, to assent, to rely.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

[the] flesh,
σαρκί (sarki)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4561: Flesh, body, human nature, materiality; kindred.

I
ἐγὼ (egō)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

[have] more:
μᾶλλον (mallon)
Adverb
Strong's 3123: More, rather. Neuter of the comparative of the same as malista; more) or rather.


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NT Letters: Philippians 3:4 Though I myself might have confidence even (Philipp. Phil. Php.)
Philippians 3:3
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