But our concern is with heaven and from thence we expect our Life Giver, our Master, Y’shua the Mashiyach who will change the body of our abasement, that it may have the likeness of the body of his glory according to his great power, whereby all things are made subject to him. (Phil. 3:20-21 AENT)
This is a powerful, encouraging Word. Our concern is not with earthly things, but Kingdom things and Kingdom issues. Our earthly physical body will be changed in the end – we will be transformed – puts things into perspective, doesn’t it? This is the GREAT HOPE.
Backing up a little to verse 17, let’s get more of the context:
Be like me, my Brothers; and contemplate them who walk after the pattern you have seen in us. For there are many who walk otherwise; of whom I have often told you, and I now tell you with weeping that they are adversaries of the stake of the Mashiyach; whose end is destruction; whose Elohim is their belly and their glory their shame; whose thoughts are on things of the earth. (Phil. 3:17-19 AENT)
Is your Elohim your belly? Or rather, is your Elohim the King of kings and the Master of masters?
Your Elohim, personally speaking, is whom you serve; it is whom you strive to please.
If your number one priority is your own comfort, your own provision for yourself, even your own diet preferences (“I know the Word says don’t eat such-and-such, but I’ll pick my theologies according to how I want to live; all that old stuff is done away with, right?”) then the answer for you is clear. If your choices are made according to the ways of the world (“looking out for Number One = mySELF”), then your Elohim is your own belly.
If, on the other hand, you care to “be like Paul,” and to “contemplate them who walk after the pattern you have seen in us,” then you will not serve your belly; and you will not be “adversaries of the stake (cross) of the Mashiyach.”
Paul said “be like me” in these other places as well:
1 Cor 4:16 (and my ways v.17)
1 Cor 11:1,2
1Thess 4:1-7, 11
2 Tim 3:10
So, what is Paul’s “way of life?”
For direct evidence, check out these passages:
Acts 20:16
Acts 21:20-24
Acts 24:14
Acts 25:8
Acts 26:20
Blessings to you, in the name of Y’shua the Messiah.
Aramaic English New Testament:
“…the NT Time Bomb!” – Rev. Frederick Brown Harris, Chaplain to the US Senate.
A new translation from qualified Eastern manuscripts
With amazing insights!
