Philippians 3:18-19 18For many, about whom I have spoken to you often, are walking as enemies of the cross of Christ, 19those whose outcome is destruction, whose god is their stomach, and whose glory is in their shame, by thinking on earthly things.
Paul shifts from the good examples of the previous verses to problem people, some of whom were likely in Philippi. He does not name them but only uses descriptions of the type of people. These many can be found all over and at all times of history. Many of Paul’s letters deal with this type of people or in warning to watch out for them. He mentions having spoken often to the Philippians about these people. This was not a general issue or theory but a local problem with which these believers had to deal. They needed to be aware of the problem. Being intellectual lazy about issues of doctrine and ethics can lead to spiritual problems and compromise. With our goal of coming to know Christ more, we must make sure that the knowledge we are seeking is the truth and not a lie or compromise of the truth. In a day with many voices crying out for attention and making claims of truth, this is very critical for our own times.
Paul lists five major problems with these people. The pattern is ABCBC. “A” is the overall problem. “B” refers to their outcome. “C” is how they live out the problem. The basic and most crucial issue with these opponents is that they are walking as enemies of the cross of Christ. This is not a matter of ignorance of the truth but more of misguided focus, deception, and intent. An enemy of the cross is anyone who rejects or distorts the grace of God offered in Jesus’ death and resurrection. For the opponents in Philippi, they rejected the grace of the cross by pushing circumcision as a form of self-righteousness.
Second, their outcome is destruction. The word for outcome (telos) is the same root as “perfect” or “mature.” It refers to the end or completion of something. In this case, rejecting the grace of the cross lead to destruction (apōleia) can mean a softer “ruin” or a harsher “annihilation.” The destruction begins in this life because the way of sin brings ruin (Psalm 1). Rejecting God’s grace will also bring judgment after death.
Third, their god is their stomach. Because people like this have rejected God’s goodness and salvation, they will seek happiness in things of this world. The stomach here represents the appetites things of this world offer to be satisfied. This could include food, but the context suggests that it has a much broader implications of any appetites of the flesh. When people turn to self and pride, evidenced through the self-righteous pursuits of the opponents in Philippi, they have substituted the worship of the one true God for gods of their own making. At the root of this is misplaced worship.
Fourth, they glory in their shame. These type of people also boast in what they are doing, but it only brings more shame before God. Sometimes, they experience shame before people. The sad thing is when their actions are no longer shameful in culture because culture has deteriorated to the point where fleshly appetites are acceptable and no longer bring shame. Shame is in the same category as destruction in the earlier clause. The unbelieving world claims that certain actions will bring glory and honor, but these actions actually bring shame and destruction of the self.
Fifth, their thinking is on earthly things. This returns to the fleshly desires of the third clause. These type of people only see what is before them and what brings them instant gratification. They have no spiritual view or outlook beyond the moment. Their focus is on what brings good feelings. Often, this is expressed through power, position, or possessions.
This passage is both a warning to watch out for these people and an invitation for these people to change. Lest we start judging and condemning the people around us, we should remember that we once lived as God’s enemies also. But while we were in this sinful condition, Christ died for us (Romans 5:10). The grace of God revealed through Jesus Christ can overcome even these types of problems. Grace is greater than any sin. There is always hope for the enemies of the cross. It will require that they acknowledge their broken and sinful hearts, repent by changing their focus from earthly things to Christ, and then walking in faith and dependence upon Christ. Paul was once like this but Christ captured him and changed his the focus of his life.
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