Philippians 3:19

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

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Paul writes to the Philippian believers, identifying a group he previously condemned as enemies of the cross of Christ. He issues this warning with tears, positioning their earthly orientation against the believers' declared heavenly citizenship.

The words — The Greek τέλος (telos) signifies the final outcome, which Paul immediately defines as ἀπώλεια (apōleia), meaning ruin or destruction. He then names their governing principle by calling their appetite θεὸς (theos), literally "god."

The thread — The text explicitly links this pattern to the self-serving appetites described in Romans 16:18 and the flesh-directed mindset outlined in Romans 8:5. It also corresponds to the deceptive exploitation by false teachers warned against in 2 Peter 2:3.

Why it lands — The verse states that their ultimate outcome is ruin, their governing deity is physical appetite, and their pride is rooted in what they consider shameful. It requires readers to evaluate their own loyalties by rejecting any framework that elevates earthly advancement above spiritual allegiance.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

Cross-references

Romans 16:18 For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.
Romans 8:5 Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh; but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.
2 Peter 2:3 In their greed, these false teachers will exploit you with deceptive words. The longstanding verdict against them remains in force, and their destruction does not sleep.
Colossians 3:2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
2 Corinthians 11:15 It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their actions.
Jude 1:12 These men are hidden reefs in your love feasts, shamelessly feasting with you but shepherding only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried along by the wind; fruitless trees in autumn, twice dead after being uprooted.
2 Peter 2:1 Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.
Hosea 4:7 The more they multiplied, the more they sinned against Me; they exchanged their Glory for a thing of disgrace.
2 Corinthians 11:12 But I will keep on doing what I am doing, in order to undercut those who want an opportunity to be regarded as our equals in the things of which they boast.
Galatians 6:13 For the circumcised do not even keep the law themselves, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.