Philippians 3:21

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
ὃς
Who
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
#2
μετασχηματίσει
shall change
to transfigure or disguise; figuratively, to apply (by accommodation)
#3
τὸ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#4
σώματι
body
the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively
#5
τῆς
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#6
ταπεινώσεως
vile
depression (in rank or feeling)
#7
ἡμῶν
our
of (or from) us
#8
εἰς
that
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
#9
τὸ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#10
γενέσθαι
it may be
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
#11
αὐτὸν
his
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
#12
σύμμορφον
fashioned like unto
jointly formed, i.e., (figuratively) similar
#13
τῷ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#14
σώματι
body
the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively
#15
τῆς
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#16
δόξης
glorious
glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or subjective)
#17
αὐτὸν
his
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
#18
κατὰ
according to
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
#19
τὴν
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#20
ἐνέργειαν
the working
efficiency ("energy")
#21
τοῦ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#22
δύνασθαι
is able
to be able or possible
#23
αὐτὸν
his
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
#24
καὶ
even
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#25
ὑποτάξαι
to subdue
to subordinate; reflexively, to obey
#26
ἑαὐτῷ
unto himself
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
#27
τὰ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#28
πάντα
all things
all, any, every, the whole

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Philippians Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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