Righteousness through Faith in Christ
(Romans 3:21–31)

1Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you⁺ indeed is not troublesome to me, and is secure for you⁺.

2Look out for the dogs! Look out for the evil workers! Look out for the mutilation! 3For we are the circumcision, those worshiping in the Spirit of God† and boasting in Christ Jesus, and not having put confidence in the flesh— 4though I have confidence even in the flesh.

If any other thinks to have confidence in the flesh, I more: 5circumcision on the eighth day; of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin; a Hebrew of Hebrews; according to the law, a Pharisee; 6according to zeal, persecuting the church; according to righteousness that is in the law, having become blameless.

7But whatever things were gain to me, these I have deemed loss because of Christ. 8But indeed, therefore, I also deem all things to be loss because of the surpassing knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, because of whom I have lost all things and deem them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9and may be found in Him, not having my own righteousness that is of the law, but that which is through faith from Christ,† the righteousness of God upon faith, 10to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11if somehow I may attain to the resurrection out from the dead.

Pressing on toward the Goal

12Not that I already obtained it or already have been perfected, but I pursue, if also I may take hold of that for which also I was taken hold of by Christ Jesus.† 13Brothers, I do not reckon myself† to have taken hold of it. But one thing: Indeed, forgetting the things behind and stretching forward to the things ahead, 14I pursue toward the goal for the prize of the upward calling of God in Christ Jesus.

15Therefore as many as are mature, we should be of this mind. And if you⁺ are minded in anything differently, even this God will reveal to you⁺. 16However, to that which we have attained, walk by the same.†

Citizenship in Heaven

17Be imitators together of me, brothers, and look at those walking thus, as you⁺ have a pattern in us. 18For many walk—of whom I told you⁺ often, and now I say even weeping—as enemies of the cross of Christ, 19whose end is destruction, whose god is the belly and their glory is in their shame, those minding earthly things.

20For our citizenship is in the heavens, from where also we eagerly await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21who will transform our body of humiliation to be conformed to the body of His glory, according to the working of His powering, even to subject all things to Himself.

Footnotes:

3 TR worshiping God by the Spirit
9 Or through the faithfulness of Christ
12 SBL Christ
13 GOC, ALT, F35, and WH reckon myself yet
16 BYZ and TR by the same rule, being of the same mind