Philippians 3:18
For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Paul's sorrow is so deep because these individuals, who are professing believers, are actively living in opposition to the very core of Christ's sacrifice. Their "walk" isn't just a passive disagreement; it's a lifestyle that cancels out the power and purpose of the cross, leading them to ruin.
Paul is addressing the Philippian believers, urging them to follow his example and the example of others who are living faithfully. He contrasts these positive examples with many others, whom he has warned about before and now points out with deep sorrow, even tears. These individuals, though part of the church, are living in a way that is ultimately hostile to the core message and demands of Christ's cross.
Why did the Apostle Paul weep when he spoke of certain people in the church? His tears weren't about anger, but about a deep, sorrowful concern.
Paul's tears here are a powerful sign of his pastoral heart. He's not delivering a cold theological lecture; he's grieving over spiritual danger.
A Pastor's Grief
Paul's weeping reveals that these 'enemies of the cross' are not outsiders he's condemning, but people within the Christian community whose lives are dangerously misleading. His tears are for their eternal welfare and for the damage they bring to the cause of Christ.
The Contrast to True Followers
This sorrow contrasts sharply with those who are pressing on toward Christ, as Paul described in the preceding verses. While he rejoices in the genuine pursuit of Christ, he weeps when he sees those who profess faith but live in ways that deny the cross's power.
Who are these 'enemies of the cross,' and how does one become an enemy to something so central to Christianity?
The 'enemies of the cross' are not necessarily those who openly reject Christ. Instead, they are often people within the church whose lives demonstrate a fundamental disconnect from the cross's true meaning and demands.
More Than Doctrine
While they might not deny the historical fact of the cross, their lives show a disinterest in its transformative power. They may prioritize worldly desires, comfort, or even adherence to rules over the radical self-denial and holiness the cross calls for.
The Danger of Worldliness
This enmity can manifest as prioritizing sensual appetites, worldly gain, or personal ease above Christ's will. Such a lifestyle effectively crucifies Christ anew by ignoring His sacrifice and the new life it offers. It's a subtle but deadly opposition to the core message and power of the gospel.
Understand the original words
echthros · Greek Noun
Those who oppose the saving work of Christ on the cross, often through legalism, licentiousness, or refusal to submit to His lordship, thereby acting against the gospel.
Paul's letter to the Philippians was written during his Roman imprisonment, a time when he was intensely aware of the spiritual battles faced by churches. The 'enemies of the cross' he weeps over were likely not outright opponents of Christianity, but professing believers who, by their lifestyle, negated the power and sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice. They may have emphasized Jewish law (Judaizers) or lived indulgent lives (Epicurean tendencies), effectively making the cross of Christ irrelevant to their daily lives.
c. AD 49-50
Council of Jerusalem convenes
The council addressed the issue of whether Gentile converts needed to follow Jewish law, including circumcision. The decision allowed Gentiles to bypass many Mosaic laws, a ruling that Paul championed.
c. AD 50-52
Paul's missionary journeys
Paul planted churches throughout the Roman Empire, including Philippi, often facing opposition from both Jewish and Gentile communities regarding his teachings on salvation through faith alone.
c. AD 55
Paul writes 1 Corinthians
In this letter, Paul addresses similar issues of division and false teaching within the church, highlighting the dangers of pride and a neglect of holiness.
c. AD 57
Paul writes 2 Corinthians
Paul continues to defend his apostolic authority and confronts those who distort the gospel, likely encountering similar challenges to those faced in Philippi.
This passage describes those who desire to make a good showing in the flesh and avoid persecution for the cross of Christ, directly paralleling the 'enemies of the cross' described in Philippians.
1 Corinthians 1:18This verse highlights the 'message of the cross' as foolishness to those perishing, but power to believers, showing how opposing the cross often stems from a fundamental rejection of God's way of salvation.
Romans 8:5-8This passage contrasts those who set their minds on the flesh with those who set their minds on the Spirit, aligning with the idea that 'enemies of the cross' are those whose desires and focus are earthly rather than heavenly.
Matthew 16:24Jesus' teaching to take up one's cross and follow Him directly contrasts with the behavior of those who are enemies of the cross, who likely sought ease and worldly acceptance instead of self-denial.
vincentPhilippians 3:18: "(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:"
Many walkNo word is supplied describing the character of their walk; but this is brought out by enemies of the cross of Christ, and in the details of Philippians 3:19. The persons alluded to were probably those of Epicurean tendencies. This and Judaic formalism were the two prominent errors in the Philippian church.
barnesPhilippians 3:18: "(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:"
For many walk - Many live, the Christian life being often in the Scriptures compared with a journey. In order to induce them to imitate those who were the most holy, the apostle says that there were many, even in the church, whom it would not be safe for them to imitate. He evidently here refers mainly to the church at Philippi, though it may be tha…
Paul's sorrow is so deep because these individuals, who are professing believers, are actively living in opposition to the very core of Christ's sacrifice. Their "walk" isn't just a passive disagreement; it's a lifestyle that cancels out the power and purpose of the cross, leading them to ruin.
Paul is addressing the Philippian believers, urging them to follow his example and the example of others who are living faithfully. He contrasts these positive examples with many others, whom he has warned about before and now points out with deep sorrow, even tears. These individuals, though part of the church, are living in a way that is ultimately hostile to the core message and demands of Christ's cross.
Paul is addressing the Philippian believers, urging them to follow his example and the example of others who are living faithfully. He contrasts these positive examples with many others, whom he has warned about before and now points out with deep sorrow, even tears. These individuals, though part of the church, are living in a way that is ultimately hostile to the core message and demands of Christ's cross.
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c. AD 60-62— this verse
Paul is imprisoned in Rome
During his imprisonment, Paul wrote letters to churches, including Philippians, reflecting on his ministry and encouraging believers to remain steadfast amidst trials.
c. AD 62
Fall of Jerusalem predicted
Jesus' prophecies about the destruction of Jerusalem were circulating, a stark reminder of judgment for those who rejected God's ways.
"For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ." — Paul's sorrow is so deep because these individuals, who are professing believers, are actively living in opposition to the very core of Christ's sacrifice. Their "walk" isn't just a passive disagreem…
