GOD STOMACH.

The apostle Paul here is continuing, not about those

who are pushing for the old Jewish law, but some who

apparently are "Christians" in the Church at Philippi.

"For I have told you often before, and I slay it again

with tears in my eyes that there are many whose 

conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross

of Christ.  They are headed for destruction.  Their

god is their appetite, they brag  about shameful things,

and they think only about this life here on earth." 

(Philippians 3:18,19 NLT)

The word "appetite" here is translated as;

belly, stomach, bodily desires, emotions

and body in other versions.  But you get

the idea.

In short, they were self-indulgent Christians.

They were not living for Christ, but only for

themselves.  They might even have had correct

doctrine.  But their life style was on of living

only for their life here on earth.

Even Jesus Christ himself said that a Christian

is to take up his cross daily.  The cross of course

was an instrument of execution.  In other words,

if I am a Christian I am to die to my self every

day and these people were not doing that.  That

is what makes them enemies of the cross of Christ.

Paul says these people are headed for destruction.

That is scary.  But we will continue latter in the 

next couple of verses that contain the hope of 

a true Christian.