“Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (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: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)” (Php. 3:17-19)
2. “Whose end is destruction.”
The word “end” is telos meaning: “goal or outcome.” The word “destruction” is the Greek word apoleia, which means: “ruin, loss, destruction.” It is translated “wasted” in:
Mark 14:4 (NKJV) But there were some who were indignant among themselves, and said, “Why was this fragrant oil wasted (apoleia)?
This verb form of the word is used of unbelievers being eternally damned:
John 3:16 (NKJV) “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish (apollumi) but have everlasting life.
But this same verb is also used of believers:
Romans 14:15 (NKJV) Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy (apollumi) with your food the one for whom Christ died.
1 Corinthians 8:11 (NKJV) And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish (apollumi), for whom Christ died?
Dr. Thomas Constable is right: “…we should probably understand “destruction” in a general sense. The same Greek word (apoleia) occurs in Php. 1:28 where it probably refers to unbelievers and eternal destruction. Nevertheless believers can experience discipline, and even premature physical death as discipline, if they continue to resist the will of God (Acts 5:1-11; 1Cor. 11:30; 1John 5:16).1The Expository Notes of Dr. Constable by Dr. Thomas Constable. Philippians 3:19. (Electronic Versions)
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