SEV Biblia, Chapter 3:4
¶ Aunque yo tengo tambin de qu confiar en la carne. Si alguno parece que tiene de qu confiar en la carne, yo ms que nadie .
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Philippians 3:4
Verse 4. Though I might also have confidence] If any of them have any cause to boast in outward rites and privileges, I have as much; yea, more.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 4. Though I might also have confidence in the flesh , etc.] This he says, lest it should be objected to him, that the reason why he had no confidence in the flesh, and did not boast of it, was, because he could not; he had nothing to glory of, and put his confidence in, and therefore acted the common part of such persons, who despise what either they have not, or are ignorant of: but this was not the apostle's case, he had as much reason, and as good a foundation for trust in himself, his privileges and attainments, as any man had, and more; and his meaning here is not, that he might lawfully have confidence in the flesh, for that is criminal in every one, but that he had as good pretensions to it; and were it lawful, might with greater appearance of truth do it than some other persons, or indeed any other: if any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more : the sense is, if there were any other person besides the false teachers he speaks of in ( Philippians 3:2); that were of the judaizing sect, or any whatever of the Jewish nation, be he who he will, who thought within himself he had, or seemed to others to have (for all such confidence, and the grounds of it, are only in show and appearance, and in imagination, not in reality), reasons for boasting and trusting in himself and in his carnal privileges and performances, the apostle had more, and which he enumerates in ( Philippians 3:5,6); not but that he might be exceeded by some in some one particular or another; as for instance, he was not of the tribe of Levi: nor of Judah; he was neither of the house of Aaron, nor of David; neither of the priestly line, nor of the blood royal; but taking all together, there was not a man in whom so many reasons met, for boasting and confidence in the flesh, as in himself.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-11 - Sincere Christians rejoice in Christ Jesus. The prophet calls the fals prophets dumb dogs, Isa 56:10; to which the apostle seems to refer Dogs, for their malice against faithful professors of the gospel of Christ, barking at them and biting them. They urged human works i opposition to the faith of Christ; but Paul calls them evil-workers. He calls them the concision; as they rent the church of Christ, and cut it to pieces. The work of religion is to no purpose, unless the heart is in it, and we must worship God in the strength and grace of the Divin Spirit. They rejoice in Christ Jesus, not in mere outward enjoyment and performances. Nor can we too earnestly guard against those wh oppose or abuse the doctrine of free salvation. If the apostle woul have gloried and trusted in the flesh, he had as much cause as any man But the things which he counted gain while a Pharisee, and had reckone up, those he counted loss for Christ. The apostle did not persuade the to do any thing but what he himself did; or to venture on any thing but that on which he himself ventured his never-dying soul. He deemed all these things to be but loss, compared with the knowledge of Christ, by faith in his person and salvation. He speaks of all worldly enjoyment and outward privileges which sought a place with Christ in his heart or could pretend to any merit and desert, and counted them but loss but it might be said, It is easy to say so; but what would he do when he came to the trial? He had suffered the loss of all for the privileges of a Christian. Nay, he not only counted them loss, but the vilest refuse, offals thrown to dogs; not only less valuable tha Christ, but in the highest degree contemptible, when set up as agains him. True knowledge of Christ alters and changes men, their judgment and manners, and makes them as if made again anew. The believer prefer Christ, knowing that it is better for us to be without all worldl riches, than without Christ and his word. Let us see what the apostl resolved to cleave to, and that was Christ and heaven. We are undone without righteousness wherein to appear before God, for we are guilty There is a righteousness provided for us in Jesus Christ, and it is complete and perfect righteousness. None can have benefit by it, wh trust in themselves. Faith is the appointed means of applying the saving benefit. It is by faith in Christ's blood. We are mad conformable to Christ's death, when we die to sin, as he died for sin and the world is crucified to us, and we to the world, by the cross of Christ. The apostle was willing to do or to suffer any thing, to attai the glorious resurrection of saints. This hope and prospect carried his through all difficulties in his work. He did not hope to attain it through his own merit and righteousness, but through the merit an righteousness of Jesus Christ. (Php 3:12-21)
Greek Textus Receptus
καιπερ 2539 εγω 1473 εχων 2192 5723 πεποιθησιν 4006 και 2532 εν 1722 σαρκι 4561 ει 1487 τις 5100 δοκει 1380 5719 αλλος 243 πεποιθεναι 3982 5755 εν 1722 σαρκι 4561 εγω 1473 μαλλον 3123
Vincent's NT Word Studies
4. Though I might also have confidence (kaiper egw ecwn pepoiqhsin). Lit., even though myself having confidence. Also should be joined with the flesh and rendered even. Rev., though I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. The sense of the translation might have is correct; but Paul puts it that he actually has confidence in the flesh, placing himself at the Jews' stand-point.
Thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust (dokei pepoiqenai). The A.V. is needlessly verbose. Rev., much better, thinketh to have confidence.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
3:4 {Might have} (ecwn). Rather, "even though myself having." {Confidence} (pepoithsin). Late word, condemned by the Atticists, from pepoiqa (just used). See #2Co 1:15; 3:4.
