Philippians 3:21
New International Version
who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

New Living Translation
He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.

English Standard Version
who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

Berean Standard Bible
who, by the power that enables Him to subject all things to Himself, will transform our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body.

Berean Literal Bible
who will transform our body of humiliation, conformed to the body of His glory, according to the working enabling Him even to subdue all things to Himself.

King James Bible
Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

New King James Version
who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.

New American Standard Bible
who will transform the body of our lowly condition into conformity with His glorious body, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.

NASB 1995
who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.

NASB 1977
who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.

Legacy Standard Bible
who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by His working through which He is able to even subject all things to Himself.

Amplified Bible
who, by exerting that power which enables Him even to subject everything to Himself, will [not only] transform [but completely refashion] our earthly bodies so that they will be like His glorious resurrected body.

Christian Standard Bible
He will transform the body of our humble condition into the likeness of his glorious body, by the power that enables him to subject everything to himself.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He will transform the body of our humble condition into the likeness of His glorious body, by the power that enables Him to subject everything to Himself.

American Standard Version
who shall fashion anew the body of our humiliation, that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, according to the working whereby he is able even to subject all things unto himself.

Contemporary English Version
has power over everything, and he will make these poor bodies of ours like his own glorious body.

English Revised Version
who shall fashion anew the body of our humiliation, that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, according to the working whereby he is able even to subject all things unto himself.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Through his power to bring everything under his authority, he will change our humble bodies and make them like his glorified body.

Good News Translation
He will change our weak mortal bodies and make them like his own glorious body, using that power by which he is able to bring all things under his rule.

International Standard Version
He will change our unassuming bodies and make them like his glorious body through the power that enables him to bring everything under his authority.

Majority Standard Bible
who, by the power that enables Him to subject all things to Himself, will transform our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body.

NET Bible
who will transform these humble bodies of ours into the likeness of his glorious body by means of that power by which he is able to subject all things to himself.

New Heart English Bible
who will transform our humble body into the likeness of his glorious body, according to the power by which he is able even to subject all things to himself.

Webster's Bible Translation
Who will change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like to his glorious body, according to the working by which he is able even to subdue all things to himself.

Weymouth New Testament
who, in the exercise of the power which He has even to subject all things to Himself, will transform this body of our humiliation until it resembles His own glorious body.

World English Bible
who will change the body of our humiliation to be conformed to the body of his glory, according to the working by which he is able even to subject all things to himself.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
who will transform the body of our humiliation to its becoming conformed to the body of His glory, according to the working of His power, even to subject all things to Himself.

Berean Literal Bible
who will transform our body of humiliation, conformed to the body of His glory, according to the working enabling Him even to subdue all things to Himself.

Young's Literal Translation
who shall transform the body of our humiliation to its becoming conformed to the body of his glory, according to the working of his power, even to subject to himself the all things.

Smith's Literal Translation
Who will change the body of our humiliation, for it to be conformable to the body of his glory, according to the operation by which he is able to place all things under himself.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Who will reform the body of our lowness, made like to the body of his glory, according to the operation whereby also he is able to subdue all things unto himself.

Catholic Public Domain Version
who will transform the body of our lowliness, according to the form of the body of his glory, by means of that power by which he is even able to subject all things to himself.

New American Bible
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.

New Revised Standard Version
He will transform the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Who shall transform our poor body, to the likeness of his glorious body, according to his mighty power, whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
For he will transform the body of our humiliation into the image of his glorious body, according to his great power by which everything has been made subject to him.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
who will transform our humbled body, and make it like his glorious body, according to that power by which he is able to subdue all things to himself.

Godbey New Testament
who will transform the body of our humility, similitudinous to the body of his own glory, according to the energy by which he is able indeed to subdue all things to himself.

Haweis New Testament
who shall transform our body of humiliation, that it may be conformed to his body of glory, according to the effectual working of him who is able to subdue even all things to himself.

Mace New Testament
it is he, that will change our vile body into a like form with his glorious body, by displaying that power which is able to subdue all things unto himself.

Weymouth New Testament
who, in the exercise of the power which He has even to subject all things to Himself, will transform this body of our humiliation until it resembles His own glorious body.

Worrell New Testament
Who will transform the body of our humiliation into conformity to the body of His glory, according to the working whereby He is able also to subject all things to Himself.

Worsley New Testament
that it may be made like his glorious body, according to the energy of his ability to subdue all things to Himself.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Citizenship in Heaven
20But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21who, by the power that enables Him to subject all things to Himself, will transform our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body.

Cross References
1 Corinthians 15:42-44
So will it be with the resurrection of the dead: What is sown is perishable; it is raised imperishable. / It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. / It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.

1 Corinthians 15:51-53
Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— / in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. / For the perishable must be clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.

Romans 8:29
For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers.

1 John 3:2
Beloved, we are now children of God, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when Christ appears, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is.

2 Corinthians 3:18
And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into His image with intensifying glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Colossians 3:4
When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

1 Corinthians 15:20-23
But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. / For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. / For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. ...

Ephesians 1:19-20
and the surpassing greatness of His power to us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of His mighty strength, / which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms,

Romans 8:11
And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will be the first to rise. / After that, we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord.

Daniel 12:2-3
And many who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, but others to shame and everlasting contempt. / Then the wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever and ever.

Isaiah 26:19
Your dead will live; their bodies will rise. Awake and sing, you who dwell in the dust! For your dew is like the dew of the morning, and the earth will bring forth her dead.

Job 19:25-27
But I know that my Redeemer lives, and in the end He will stand upon the earth. / Even after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God. / I will see Him for myself; my eyes will behold Him, and not as a stranger. How my heart yearns within me!

Matthew 13:43
Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.

John 5:28-29
Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming when all who are in their graves will hear His voice / and come out—those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.


Treasury of Scripture

Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like to his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things to himself.

shall.

1 Corinthians 15:42-44,48-54
So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: …

that.

Matthew 17:2
And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

Colossians 3:4
When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

1 John 3:2
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

the working.

Isaiah 25:8
He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it.

Isaiah 26:19
Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.

Hosea 13:14
I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes.

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Able Anew Bodies Body Change Changed Conformed Conformity Control Enables Exercise Fashion Fashioned Glorious Glory Humble Humiliation Image Measure Ours Poor Power Resembles Subdue Subject Transform Vile Whereby Working
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Able Anew Bodies Body Change Changed Conformed Conformity Control Enables Exercise Fashion Fashioned Glorious Glory Humble Humiliation Image Measure Ours Poor Power Resembles Subdue Subject Transform Vile Whereby Working
Philippians 3
1. He warns them to beware of the false teachers;
4. showing that himself has greater cause than they to trust in the righteousness of the law;
7. which he counts as loss, to gain Christ and his righteousness;
12. acknowledging his own imperfection and pressing on toward the goal;
15. He exhorts them to be thus minded;
17. and to imitate him,
18. and to decline carnal ways.














who will transform
The Greek word for "transform" is "μετασχηματίσει" (metaschēmatisei), which implies a change in form or appearance. This transformation is not merely superficial but a profound change that affects the very nature of our bodies. In the context of Christian eschatology, this transformation is a promise of the resurrection, where believers will be changed to reflect the glory of Christ. This transformation is a divine act, emphasizing God's power and purpose in redeeming and glorifying His people.

our lowly bodies
The phrase "lowly bodies" refers to the current state of human existence, marked by mortality, weakness, and susceptibility to sin. The Greek term "ταπεινώσεως" (tapeinōseōs) suggests humility or humiliation, indicating the fallen state of humanity. This acknowledgment of our present condition contrasts with the future glory promised to believers. It serves as a reminder of the hope Christians have in Christ, who will elevate our humble state to one of honor and glory.

to be like His glorious body
The comparison to "His glorious body" highlights the resurrection body of Jesus Christ, which is imperishable, powerful, and spiritual. The Greek word "δόξης" (doxēs) for "glorious" signifies splendor and majesty. This transformation into a body like Christ's is the ultimate hope for believers, signifying victory over death and sin. It reflects the promise of eternal life and the full realization of salvation, where believers will share in Christ's glory.

by the power
The term "power" is translated from the Greek "ἐνέργειαν" (energeian), which denotes active, effective power. This is not a passive potential but an active force that accomplishes God's will. It is the same power that raised Christ from the dead and is at work in believers, ensuring the fulfillment of God's promises. This power underscores God's sovereignty and ability to bring about His purposes, including the transformation of believers.

that enables Him even to subject all things to Himself
The phrase "subject all things to Himself" speaks to the comprehensive authority of Christ. The Greek word "ὑποτάξαι" (hypotaxai) means to arrange under or bring into subjection. This reflects the cosmic scope of Christ's reign, where all creation is brought under His lordship. It assures believers of Christ's ultimate victory and the establishment of His kingdom. This subjection is not merely a future hope but a present reality, as Christ is actively working to bring all things into alignment with His will.

(21) Who shall change . . .--This passage needs more accurate translation. It should be, who shall change the fashion of the body of our humiliation, to be conformed to the body of His glory. (1) On the difference between "fashion" and "form," see Philippians 2:7-8. The contrast here signifies that humiliation is but the outward fashion or vesture of the body; the likeness to Christ is, and will be seen to be, its essential and characteristic nature. This "humiliation" marks our condition in this life, as fallen from our true humanity under the bondage of sin and death. The body is not really "vile," though it is fallen and degraded. (2) "His glory" is His glorified human nature, as it was after the Resurrection, as it is now in His ascended majesty, as it shall be seen at His second coming. What it is and will be we gather from the sublime descriptions of Revelation 1:13-16; Revelation 19:12-16; Revelation 20:11. What is here briefly described as change to conformity with that glory is worked out in 1Corinthians 15:42-44; 1Corinthians 15:53-54, into the contrast between corruption and incorruption, dishonour and glory, weakness and power, the natural (animal) body and the spiritual body. In 2Corinthians 3:18; 2Corinthians 4:16, we read of the beginning of glorification in the spirit here; in 2Corinthians 4:17-18; 2Corinthians 5:1-4, of the completion of "the exceeding weight of glory" in the hereafter, as glorifying also "our house which is in heaven. St. John describes that glorification with brief emphatic solemnity, "We shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is," and draws out explicitly the moral which St. Paul here implies, "Every man that hath this hope purifieth himself, even as He is pure." . . . Verse 21. - Who shall change our vile body that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body; rather, as R.V., who shall fashion anew the body of our humiliation, that it may be conformed to the body of his glory. Compare the description of our Lord's person and work in Philippians 2:6-8. There St. Paul tells us that he who was originally in the form of God took upon him the form of a servant, and was found in fashion as a man. Here he uses the derivatives of the same words "form" and "fashion" (μορδή and σχῆμα), to describe the change of the bodies of the saved at the resurrection. He had already told us (ver. 10) that the Christian soul is being gradually conformed during life unto the death of Christ. He now tells us that this conformity of the Christian unto Christ is ultimately to extend to the body. The Lord shall change the outward fashion of our body; but this change will be more than a change of outward fashion: it will result in a real conformity of the resurrection-body of the believer unto the glorious body of the Lord. The body of our humiliation; not "vile body." St. Paul does not despise the body, like the Stoics and Gnostics; the Christian's body is a sacred thing - it is the temple of the Holy Ghost, and the seed of the resurrection-body (comp. 1 Corinthians 6:20). According to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. According to the working, the energy, of his power not only to change and glorify the bodies of the redeemed, but also to subdue all things, the whole universe, unto himself. "The apostle shows," says Chrysostom, "greater works of the Savior's power, that thou mightest believe in these."



Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
who,
ὃς (hos)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

by
κατὰ (kata)
Preposition
Strong's 2596: A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined).

the
τὴν (tēn)
Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

power
ἐνέργειαν (energeian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1753: Working, action, productive work, activity; in the NT, confined to superhuman activity. From energes; efficiency.

that enables Him
δύνασθαι (dynasthai)
Verb - Present Infinitive Middle or Passive
Strong's 1410: (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible.

to subject
ὑποτάξαι (hypotaxai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 5293: From hupo and tasso; to subordinate; reflexively, to obey.

all things
πάντα (panta)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.

to Himself,
αὑτῷ (hautō)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 848: Her own, his own, their own, themselves, they. Contracted for heautou; self.

will transform
μετασχηματίσει (metaschēmatisei)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3345: From meta and a derivative of schema; to transfigure or disguise; figuratively, to apply.

our
ἡμῶν (hēmōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

lowly
ταπεινώσεως (tapeinōseōs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 5014: Abasement (in spirit), low condition (in circumstances). From tapeinoo; depression.

bodies
σῶμα (sōma)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4983: Body, flesh; the body of the Church. From sozo; the body, used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively.

to be like
σύμμορφον (symmorphon)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4832: Similar, conformed to. From sun and morphe; jointly formed, i.e. similar.

His
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

glorious
δόξης (doxēs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 1391: From the base of dokeo; glory, in a wide application.

body.
σώματι (sōmati)
Noun - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4983: Body, flesh; the body of the Church. From sozo; the body, used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively.


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