King James Version

What Does Philippians 3:21 Mean?

Philippians 3:21 in the King James Version says “Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby h... — study this verse from Philippians chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

Philippians 3:21 · KJV


Context

19

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

20

For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: conversation: or, we live or conduct ourselves as citizens of heaven, or, for obtaining heaven

21

Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself (ὃς μετασχηματίσει τὸ σῶμα τῆς ταπεινώσεως ἡμῶν σύμμορφον τῷ σώματι τῆς δόξης αὐτοῦ κατὰ τὴν ἐνέργειαν τοῦ δύνασθαι αὐτὸν καὶ ὑποτάξαι αὐτῷ τὰ πάντα, hos metaschēmatisei to sōma tēs tapeinōseōs hēmōn symmorphon tō sōmati tēs doxēs autou kata tēn energeian tou dynasthai auton kai hypotaxai autō ta panta)—Metaschēmatisei ("will transform")—radical change, not mere improvement. To sōma tēs tapeinōseōs ("body of humiliation")—present lowly, mortal bodies. Symmorphon tō sōmati tēs doxēs ("conformed to the body of glory")—future glorified bodies matching Christ's resurrection body. Kata tēn energeian ("according to the power")—divine enabling. Hypotaxai autō ta panta ("subdue all things to Himself")—cosmic lordship. The same power subduing all creation transforms believers' bodies. This concludes ch. 3: righteousness by faith (vv. 9-11), Christ-pursuit (vv. 12-16), heavenly citizenship (v. 20), bodily glorification (v. 21). Gospel encompasses justification, sanctification, glorification.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Greek philosophy denigrated body, seeking escape to immaterial soul-existence. Paul's bodily resurrection-hope is Jewish (Dan 12:2) and Christian (1 Cor 15). Christ's resurrection-body is prototype (1 Cor 15:49; 1 John 3:2); believers will have glorified, imperishable bodies. This undergirds Christian ethics: bodies matter (1 Cor 6:19-20), holiness includes physicality, redemption is cosmic (Rom 8:18-23). The power subduing all things (including death, 1 Cor 15:25-26) guarantees believers' transformation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does hope of bodily glorification ('conformed to His glorious body') affect present bodily stewardship?
  2. What is the relationship between Christ's cosmic authority ('subdue all things') and believers' transformation?
  3. How does bodily resurrection-hope distinguish Christianity from Gnostic escape-from-body spiritualities?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 28 words
ὃς1 of 28

Who

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

μετασχηματίσει2 of 28

shall change

G3345

to transfigure or disguise; figuratively, to apply (by accommodation)

τὸ3 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

σώματι4 of 28

body

G4983

the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively

τῆς5 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ταπεινώσεως6 of 28

vile

G5014

depression (in rank or feeling)

ἡμῶν7 of 28

our

G2257

of (or from) us

εἰς8 of 28

that

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

τὸ9 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

γενέσθαι10 of 28

it may be

G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

αὐτὸν11 of 28

his

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

σύμμορφον12 of 28

fashioned like unto

G4832

jointly formed, i.e., (figuratively) similar

τῷ13 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

σώματι14 of 28

body

G4983

the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively

τῆς15 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δόξης16 of 28

glorious

G1391

glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or subjective)

αὐτὸν17 of 28

his

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

κατὰ18 of 28

according to

G2596

(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)

τὴν19 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἐνέργειαν20 of 28

the working

G1753

efficiency ("energy")

τοῦ21 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δύνασθαι22 of 28

is able

G1410

to be able or possible

αὐτὸν23 of 28

his

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

καὶ24 of 28

even

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ὑποτάξαι25 of 28

to subdue

G5293

to subordinate; reflexively, to obey

ἑαὐτῷ26 of 28

unto himself

G1438

(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc

τὰ27 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πάντα28 of 28

all things

G3956

all, any, every, the whole


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Philippians. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Philippians 3:21 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Philippians 3:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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