Philippians 3:17 (KJV)

What does Philippians 3:17 mean?

Philippians 3:17 tells the believers at Philippi to take Paul’s way of life as a pattern and to pay attention to others who live by the same pattern. Paul presents his example as something the group can follow together, rather than as a private instruction to one person.

The KJV word “walk” pictures a person’s manner of living, not simply the act of walking. After urging his readers in verse 16 to continue on the course already reached, Paul points them toward people whose lives show that course in practice.

The Greek behind Philippians 3:17

• “followers together” — συμμιμητής (symmimētēs): The Greek carries the sense of people joining in following an example. It gives a shared character to Paul’s request.
• “mark” — σκοπέω (skopeō): The word means to look at or pay attention to something. Here it calls for noticing people whose conduct fits the example Paul has given.
• “ensample” — τύπος (typos): This word can mean a pattern or model. The old English “ensample” means an example; Paul says that “us,” not only himself, supplies that pattern.

Why Philippians 3:17 matters

• Paul’s example belongs to a larger group of examples. The verse moves from “me” to “them” and then to “us,” making room for others whose lives follow the same pattern.
• The surrounding passage makes the choice of examples important. In verses 18–19, Paul contrasts those in verse 17 with people whose conduct he describes with sorrow and whose minds are set on earthly things.