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Selected Verse: Philippians 3:4 - King James

Verse	Translation	Text
Php 3:4	King James	Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
"Although I (emphatical) might have confidence even in the flesh." Literally, "I having," but not using, "confidence in the flesh." I more--have more "whereof I might have confidence in the flesh."

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

"Although I (emphatical) might have confidence even in the flesh." Literally, "I having," but not using, "confidence in the flesh."

I more--have more "whereof I might have confidence in the flesh."

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
Though I might also have confidence in the flesh - That is, though I had uncommon advantages of this kind; and if anyone could have trusted in them, I could have done it. The object of the apostle is to show that he did not despise those things because he did not possess them, but because he now saw that they were of no value in the great matter of salvation. Once he had confided in them, and if anyone could find any ground of reliance on them, he could have found more than any of them. But he had seen that all these things were valueless in regard to the salvation of the soul. We may remark here, that Christians do not despise or disregard advantages of birth, or amiableness of manners, or external morality, because they do not possess them - but because they regard them as insufficient to secure their salvation. They who have been most amiable and moral before their conversion will speak in the most decided manner of the insufficiency of these things for salvation, and of the danger of relying on them. They have once tried it, and they now see that their feet were standing on a slippery rock. The Greek here is, literally: "although I (was) having confidence in the flesh." The meaning is, that he had every ground of confidence in the flesh which anyone could have, and that if there was any advantage for salvation to be derived from birth, and blood, and external conformity to the law, he possessed it. He had more to rely on than most other people had; nay, he could have boasted of advantages of this sort which could not be found united in any other individual. What those advantages were, he proceeds to specify.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]

Though I might also have confidence in the flesh - That is, though I had uncommon advantages of this kind; and if anyone could have trusted in them, I could have done it. The object of the apostle is to show that he did not despise those things because he did not possess them, but because he now saw that they were of no value in the great matter of salvation. Once he had confided in them, and if anyone could find any ground of reliance on them, he could have found more than any of them. But he had seen that all these things were valueless in regard to the salvation of the soul. We may remark here, that Christians do not despise or disregard advantages of birth, or amiableness of manners, or external morality, because they do not possess them - but because they regard them as insufficient to secure their salvation. They who have been most amiable and moral before their conversion will speak in the most decided manner of the insufficiency of these things for salvation, and of the danger of relying on them. They have once tried it, and they now see that their feet were standing on a slippery rock. The Greek here is, literally: "although I (was) having confidence in the flesh." The meaning is, that he had every ground of confidence in the flesh which anyone could have, and that if there was any advantage for salvation to be derived from birth, and blood, and external conformity to the law, he possessed it. He had more to rely on than most other people had; nay, he could have boasted of advantages of this sort which could not be found united in any other individual. What those advantages were, he proceeds to specify.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
Though I might also have confidence (καίπερ ἐγὼ ἔχων πεποίθησιν) Lit., even though myself having confidence. Also should be joined with the flesh and rendered even. Rev., though I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. The sense of the translation might have is correct; but Paul puts it that he actually has confidence in the flesh, placing himself at the Jews' stand-point. Thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust (δοκεῖ πεποιθέναι). The A.V. is needlessly verbose. Rev., much better, thinketh to have confidence.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]

Though I might also have confidence (καίπερ ἐγὼ ἔχων πεποίθησιν)

Lit., even though myself having confidence. Also should be joined with the flesh and rendered even. Rev., though I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. The sense of the translation might have is correct; but Paul puts it that he actually has confidence in the flesh, placing himself at the Jews' stand-point.

Thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust (δοκεῖ πεποιθέναι).

The A.V. is needlessly verbose. Rev., much better, thinketh to have confidence.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
Though I - He subjoins this in the singular number, because the Philippians could not say thus.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]

Though I - He subjoins this in the singular number, because the Philippians could not say thus.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
Though I might also have confidence - If any of them have any cause to boast in outward rites and privileges, I have as much; yea, more.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826

Though I might also have confidence - If any of them have any cause to boast in outward rites and privileges, I have as much; yea, more.

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