Philippians 3

Paul's autobiography contrasts his former confidence in religious credentials with his present joy in knowing Christ and sharing His sufferings, counting all previous achievements as loss for the surpassing worth of Christ. His metaphor of pressing toward the goal for the prize of the upward call demonstrates how Christian maturity involves continual growth rather than arrival at perfection. The warning against enemies of the cross whose god is their belly contrasts with believers' citizenship in heaven and anticipation of bodily transformation when Christ returns.