In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he mentions the “enemies of the cross of Christ” in Philippians 3:18.

For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things (emphasis added).

Philippians 3:18-19 (NIV)

Who are these enemies whose “destiny is destruction” with their “stomach” serving as their “god” with a shameful “glory”?

To answer this question, we must examine the context of Philippians 3:18. For this verse, the context begins at the beginning of Philippians 3, starting in verse 2.

Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— (emphasis added).

Philippians 3:2-3 (NIV)

Verse two sets the tone and the context of Philippians 3. In this verse, Paul identifies his subjects as “dogs” and “evildoers” who mutilate “the flesh.” This mutilation Paul refers to is circumcision. In response to those from this group, Paul declares that those who live by grace, “who put no confidence in the flesh,” are the “circumcision,” suggesting that circumcision of the flesh has no value.

Who is this group? This group is made up of Judaizers who tried to “mingle” the law with Christianity by teaching that people had to follow the Mosaic Law to be saved, A law based on works and not faith. Paul confirms that the issue in Philippians 3 is between the works of the law and those of grace as seen in Philippians 3:4.

Though I myself have reasons for such confidence.

If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more:

Philippians 3:4 (NIV)

In this verse, Paul points out that he could have confidence in the flesh (works) and then lists those reasons.

Circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.

Philippians 3:5-6 (NIV)

After revealing his “superior” qualities as one entitled to “glory” for his “works” as a Jew, Paul then says something striking.

But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in a Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead (emphasis added).

Philippians 3:7-11 (NIV)

Thus, we can see that Paul is comparing the works of the flesh with the grace found only in Jesus Christ. Indeed, Paul considers all of his “accomplishments” garbage. Then, Paul reveals his desire to “know Christ” and the “power of his resurrection.” Indeed, Paul desires to participate in Christ’s sufferings and become like Him so that he (Paul) could be raised from the dead like Christ.

Therefore, in Philippians 3:7-11, Paul discusses righteousness based on works versus faith. Then, Paul says something surprising.

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

Philippians 3:12 (NIV)

Paul had yet to obtain this goal, as described in Philippians 3:7-11.

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:13-14 (NIV)
Figure One – Person struggling against the wind.

Contrary to those Judaizers who believed themselves righteous and “complete” in God’s eyes, Paul points out that he still has far to go before he will obtain the completeness of salvation in Christ Jesus. Therefore, Paul continues to push forward “toward what is ahead.” When Paul says he’s “straining toward what is ahead,” one can envision someone in a storm pushing through the wind and other elements like rain or snow to get to where they are trying to go. As seen in Figure One.

After Paul’s declaration, he gives us this insight.

All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do (emphasis added).

Philippians 3:15-17 (NIV)

In these verses, Paul points out that those who are “mature” (in Christ) should also consider themselves a “work in progress” like him. Therefore, they should follow his example. Again, Paul is still discussing the contrast between those who consider themselves righteous by the Mosaic Law and those who rely upon faith and grace.

We have now reached our “target” verses.

For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things (emphasis added).

Philippians 3:18-19 (NIV)

Thus, we can confidently say that those who are “enemies of the cross of Christ” are the Judaizers Paul mentioned in verse 2. Hence, Paul’s “tears.” While Paul might shed some tears for unbelievers, the principal “tragedy” in Paul’s life was that his fellow Jews didn’t accept Jesus as the Messiah they had waited so long for.

Therefore, when we read Philippians 3:20-21, Paul isn’t contrasting Christians with unbelievers.

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 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.

Philippians 3:20-21 (NIV)

The central “conflict” in Philippians 3, and indeed, in most of Paul’s letters regarding false teachers, is the Judaizers who believed Jesus to be the Messiah but didn’t have the faith to believe that we are saved by grace and not by the works found in the Mosaic Law. Paul knew that these folks were not destined for salvation but for destruction, as he says in verse 19 and this knowledge broke his heart.

Now, after having identified those “enemies” of the cross in verse 18, what can we say about those who identify as Christians who don’t bear their cross daily, as Jesus instructs us in Luke 9:23? Can we say that those who give into temptation and live lives focused on earthly things are the people Paul was talking about? No, we cannot because the primary difference between these two groups in Philippians 3 is salvation by works versus salvation by faith.

However, how we live matters, as does where we place our hope and faith. If you, as a Christian, think you will “get into heaven” because you are a “good person” and believe your worldly success matters in the face of eternity, you are not on the right path. Consider what Jesus said in Matthew about treasure.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (emphasis added).

Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV)