Paul challenges the Philippians to imitate him and follow his example of striving for perfection in Christ. He criticizes those who claim to follow Christ but are self-indulgent and care more about earthly things than others. Paul says that when Christ returns, he will change our lowly bodies to conform with his glorified body, freeing us from earthly limitations.

1. Philippians 3:17- 4:1
Our lowly
bodies will be
changed to
conform with
his glorified
body.
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2. 17 Join with others in being
imitators of me, brothers, and
observe those who thus
conduct themselves according
to the model you have in us.
18 For many, as I have often told
you and now tell you even in
tears, conduct themselves as
enemies of the cross of Christ.
19 Their end is destruction. Their
God is their stomach; their
glory is in their “shame.” Their
minds are occupied with
earthly things.
20 But our citizenship is in heaven,
and from it we also await a
savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
21 He will change our lowly body to
conform with his glorified body
by the power that enables him
also to bring all things into
subjection to himself.
4:1Therefore, my brothers, whom
I love and long for, my joy and
crown, in this way stand firm in
the Lord, beloved.

3. In this reading we hear Paul
challenge the Philippians to
become Christ like by
following Paul’s example.
In Philippians 3:12 he said, he
wasn’t perfect but that he was
striving for perfection.
Think about the tremendous
burden Paul placed on
himself.
People would watch his every
move, examine his speech
and be critical of his perceived
imperfections.
Could we be “Christ like,” every
minute of every day without any
failures in our human nature?
I think not.
Paul goes on to criticize self-
indulgent Christians who profess
the faith but fail to live the faith
by word and example.
These are people care about
satisfying their own needs before
caring about the needs of others.

4. In verses 20-21 we read, “the
Lord Jesus Christ,
21 He will change our lowly body
to conform with his glorified
body,”
Paul sheds more light on this
concept in 2 Cor. 5:1-4.
1For we know that if the earthly
tent we live in is destroyed, we
have a building from God, a
house not made with hands,
eternal in the heavens.
2Here indeed we groan, and
long to put on our heavenly
dwelling, 
3so that by putting it on we may
not be found naked.
4For while we are still in this
tent, we sigh with anxiety; not
that we would be unclothed,
but that we would be further
clothed, so that what is mortal
may be swallowed up by life.