Philippians 3:9
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:
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
4 of 23
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
μὴ
not
G3361
μὴ
not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
5 of 23
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
ἔχων
having
G2192
ἔχων
having
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
6 of 23
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
δικαιοσύνην
righteousness
G1343
δικαιοσύνην
righteousness
Strong's:
G1343
Word #:
8 of 23
equity (of character or act); specially (christian) justification
τῇ
that which
G3588
τῇ
that which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐκ
is of
G1537
ἐκ
is of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
10 of 23
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
νόμου
the law
G3551
νόμου
the law
Strong's:
G3551
Word #:
11 of 23
law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat
ἀλλὰ
but
G235
ἀλλὰ
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
12 of 23
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
τῇ
that which
G3588
τῇ
that which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
διὰ
is through
G1223
διὰ
is through
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
14 of 23
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
πίστει
faith
G4102
πίστει
faith
Strong's:
G4102
Word #:
15 of 23
persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ
τῇ
that which
G3588
τῇ
that which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐκ
is of
G1537
ἐκ
is of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
18 of 23
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
θεοῦ
God
G2316
θεοῦ
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
19 of 23
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
δικαιοσύνην
righteousness
G1343
δικαιοσύνην
righteousness
Strong's:
G1343
Word #:
20 of 23
equity (of character or act); specially (christian) justification
ἐπὶ
by
G1909
ἐπὶ
by
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
21 of 23
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
Cross References
2 Corinthians 5:21For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.1 Corinthians 1:30But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:Galatians 2:16Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.Isaiah 53:11He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.Romans 1:17For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.Romans 8:1There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.Jeremiah 33:16In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this is the name wherewith she shall be called, The LORD our righteousness.Titus 3:5Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;Jeremiah 23:6In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.Ecclesiastes 7:20For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- What is the difference between 'my own righteousness' and 'righteousness from God by faith'?
- How does union with Christ ('found in Him') relate to imputed righteousness?
- Where might you be tempted toward self-righteousness rather than trusting Christ's righteousness alone?
Analysis & 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).