King James Version

What Does Philippians 3:9 Mean?

Philippians 3:9 in the King James Version says “And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Chri...” — study this verse from Philippians chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:”

Philippians 3:9 · KJV

Faith

Context

7

But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

8

Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

9

And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

10

That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

11

If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

Read Philippians 3 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith (καὶ εὑρεθῶ ἐν αὐτῷ, μὴ ἔχων ἐμὴν δικαιοσύνην τὴν ἐκ νόμου ἀλλὰ τὴν διὰ πίστεως Χριστοῦ, τὴν ἐκ θεοῦ δικαιοσύνην ἐπὶ τῇ πίστει, kai heurethō en autō, mē echōn emēn dikaiosynēn tēn ek nomou alla tēn dia pisteōs Christou, tēn ek theou dikaiosynēn epi tē pistei)—Heurethō en autō ("be found in Him") is eschatological: at judgment, be united with Christ. Two righteousness-types contrast: emēn dikaiosynēn tēn ek nomou ("my own righteousness from law")—self-generated, inadequate; versus tēn ek theou dikaiosynēn epi tē pistei ("righteousness from God based on faith")—imputed, sufficient. Dia pisteōs Christou could be subjective (Christ's faithfulness) or objective (faith in Christ); likely both. This is Reformation's heart: justification by faith alone, apart from works (Rom 3:21-28).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Paul's doctrine of imputed righteousness revolutionized soteriology. Against Judaism (self-righteousness through law-keeping) and paganism (merit through philosophy/virtue), Paul taught God-given righteousness received by faith. This became Reformation's sola fide. Philippians 3:9 is clearest NT statement of imputed righteousness—God's righteousness credited to believers through union with Christ by faith alone.

Reflection Questions

  1. What is the difference between 'my own righteousness' and 'righteousness from God by faith'?
  2. How does union with Christ ('found in Him') relate to imputed righteousness?
  3. Where might you be tempted toward self-righteousness rather than trusting Christ's righteousness alone?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 23 words
καὶ1 of 23

“And”

G2532

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

εὑρεθῶ2 of 23

“be found”

G2147

to find (literally or figuratively)

ἐν3 of 23

“in”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

αὐτῷ4 of 23

“him”

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

μὴ5 of 23

“not”

G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

ἔχων6 of 23

“having”

G2192

to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio

ἐμὴν7 of 23

“mine own”

G1699

my

δικαιοσύνην8 of 23

“righteousness”

G1343

equity (of character or act); specially (christian) justification

τῇ9 of 23

“that which”

G3588

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

ἐκ10 of 23

“is of”

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

νόμου11 of 23

“the law”

G3551

law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat

ἀλλὰ12 of 23

“but”

G235

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

τῇ13 of 23

“that which”

G3588

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

διὰ14 of 23

“is through”

G1223

through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)

πίστει15 of 23

“faith”

G4102

persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ

Χριστοῦ16 of 23

“of Christ”

G5547

anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus

τῇ17 of 23

“that which”

G3588

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

ἐκ18 of 23

“is of”

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

θεοῦ19 of 23

“God”

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

δικαιοσύνην20 of 23

“righteousness”

G1343

equity (of character or act); specially (christian) justification

ἐπὶ21 of 23

“by”

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

τῇ22 of 23

“that which”

G3588

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

πίστει23 of 23

“faith”

G4102

persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ

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 3:9 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 3:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Corinthians 5:211 Corinthians 1:30Galatians 2:16Romans 4:5-6Romans 4:13-15Romans 1:17

Test Your Knowledge

Philippians 3 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterPhilippians Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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