Verse Lens · Concise explanation
Philippians 3:21 Explained in Context
Use this verse as a doorway into the larger passage—not as an isolated saying.
Verse 21. 21Who 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.
King James Version — public domain in the United States · Bible text and permissions
Quick Meaning
Christ will transform believers' lowly bodies by the power with which he subjects all things to himself.
Read It With
- Philippians 3:20–4:1
Heavenly citizenship, expectation of the Savior, bodily transformation, and the command to stand firm form one cause-and-response movement.
Why This Verse Appears Here
Verse 21 explains what the returning Savior will do: transform believers' lowly bodies by the same power with which he subjects all things.
Read Philippians 3:20–4:1 together
Why these verses belong together: Heavenly citizenship and bodily transformation ground the command to stand firm.
Verse 20. 20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
Verse 21. 21 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.
Verse 1. 1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
What Remains True
Christian hope includes bodily transformation through Christ's sovereign power, not escape from embodied life as worthless.
How It Can Shape Life
- Treat bodily weakness neither as ultimate defeat nor as permission to neglect wise care; hope rests in Christ's promised transformation.
Continue in Context
The full thought-unit study remains the final contextual authority for this Verse Lens.
Read Philippians 3:17–4:1 — Follow Faithful Examples and Stand FirmSources used for this Verse Lens
How certain is this explanation? strong
These are the sources used directly for this lens. Language, grammar, disagreements, and the complete source shelf remain attached to the full thought-unit research record.
Biblical text
King James (Authorized) Version — eng-kjv2006
eBible.org and CrossWire Bible Society
USFM archive eng-kjv2006_usfm.zip; source files dated 2026-08-19; downloaded 2026-08-24; archive SHA-256 aec1b3b26c622fd3d963d2bbac963016b9513246ffbfa20da00bb100372ea007; normalized corpus SHA-256 09aef51d90488aa7b9722b3fd9a93f4b25f6bf2064c5fd798fb39673c300ddf2.
Supports: The KJV wording and immediate English context for Philippians 3:17–4:1.
Exact location: eBible/CrossWire eng-kjv2006 USFM, source files dated 2026-08-19, Philippians 3–4; archive and normalized-corpus SHA-256 values are recorded in the library policy.
Open source ↗Greek textual evidence
The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition
Michael W. Holmes, editor; Society of Biblical Literature and Logos
Society of Biblical Literature and Logos Bible Software, 2010
Supports: The critically edited Greek wording and punctuation used as the base text for this passage.
Exact location: Faithlife SBLGNT repository, data/sblgnt/text/Phil.txt, Philippians 3–4, verses within Philippians 3:17–4:1.
Open the Philippians Greek text file ↗Translation and textual notes
NET Bible — Philippians with translators' notes
Biblical Studies Press
Biblical Studies Press, digital edition accessed 2026
Supports: Material English translation choices, syntax notes, and textual variants identified for this passage.
Exact location: NET Bible, Philippians 3–4, translator and textual notes attached to the verses in Philippians 3:17–4:1.
Open NET Philippians 3 ↗