Philippians 3:18

Philippians 3:18, in plain English

Paul has warned the Philippians before, and he's doing it again now with real emotion: there are people calling themselves Christian while actually living in rebellion against what the cross of Christ means.

Why it's here

The tears are significant. Paul isn't being harsh for the sake of being harsh. He genuinely grieves over people who claim to follow Jesus but whose lives contradict it. These 'enemies of the cross' aren't necessarily false teachers—they're people whose behavior shows they don't understand or accept what the cross demands: dying to self, surrendering to God's will, sacrificing comfort for righteousness.

Who's speaking

Paul

Where it sits in the story

Jesus warned repeatedly about false disciples and those whose faith wouldn't endure. Paul is doing what faithful shepherds do—warning the flock about spiritual dangers, and his emotion shows he's not doing it out of judgment but out of love.

The scholarly reading

Paul issues a grave warning, tears accompanying his speech, that many live as enemies of the cross—oriented toward destruction through their rejection of Christ's redemptive work.

Language and setting

The 'enemies of the cross' likely refers to those opposing Paul's gospel—perhaps libertines in the Philippian community or external opponents. The emotional reference to tears shows this isn't abstract polemics but pastorally urgent concern. Paul has mentioned this warning repeatedly.

Voice

Paul, speaking with deep emotion

Significance

This echoes Jesus' weeping over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41-44), establishing apostolic tears as signs of genuine pastoral concern. Later figures like John Calvin would emphasize pastoral emotion as essential to effective preaching.

16Nevertheless, we must live up to what we have already attained.

17Join one another in following my example, brothers, and carefully observe those who walk according to the pattern we set for you.

18For as I have often told you before, and now say again even with tears: Many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.

19Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and their glory is in their shame. Their minds are set on earthly things.

20But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,

Read all of Philippians 3 — Paul's credentials were flawless — and he counted them as garbage. Forgetting what's behind, he strains toward the prize with everything he has.