Philippians 3:18

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

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

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

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

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

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
For as I have often told you before, and now say again even with tears: Many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.
KJV
(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
WEB
For many walk, of whom I told you often, and now tell you even weeping, as the enemies of the cross of Christ,
ASV
For many walk, of whom I told you often, and now tell you even weeping, [that they are] the enemies of the cross of Christ:
DARBY
(for many walk of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they [are] the enemies of the cross of Christ:
BLB
For many walk—[of] whom I told you⁺ often, and now I say even weeping—[as] enemies of the cross of Christ,
ÅB
For mange vandrer, som jeg ofte har sagt dere og nå endog med tårer sier er fiender av Kristi kors,
OTB
For, som jeg ofte har fortalt dere før og nå forteller dere selv med tårer, mange lever som fiender av Kristi kors.
B1930
For mange vandrer, som jeg ofte har sagt eder og nu endog med tårer sier er fiender av Kristi kors,

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Ephesians 4:17

    So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 8:11

    For this is what the LORD has spoken to me with a strong hand, instructing me not to walk in the way of this people:

    Read in context
  • Galatians 6:12

    Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. They only do this to avoid persecution for the cross of Christ.

    Read in context
  • Galatians 1:7

    which is not even a gospel. Evidently some people are troubling you and trying to distort the gospel of Christ.

    Read in context
  • Jeremiah 13:17

    But if you do not listen, I will weep in secret because of your pride. My eyes will overflow with tears, because the LORD’s flock has been taken captive.

    Read in context
  • Philippians 1:4

    In every prayer for all of you, I always pray with joy,

    Read in context
  • Ephesians 5:5–6

    For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure, or greedy person (that is, an idolater), has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

    Read in context
  • Philippians 1:15–16

    It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill.

    Read in context