Philippians 3:19 is a sobering verse that describes a certain group of people whose end is destruction and who stand in contrast to faithful Christians. In this verse, Paul says this group of people, “whose god is their belly.” This phrase is crucial for understanding who Paul is referring to here.
In the broader context of Philippians 3, Paul is warning the Philippian Christians against false teachers who were promoting human effort and works as the means to salvation rather than faith in Christ (Phil 3:2-6). These false teachers were essentially making their appetites and desires like a “god” that ruled their lives.
The mention of their “belly” or appetite and desires connects back to verse 18, which describes these false teachers as “enemies of the cross of Christ” whose end is destruction. So in verse 19, Paul is continuing to describe and warn about these false teachers.
More specifically, when Paul says their “god is their belly,” he is using rhetorical language to describe people controlled by their appetites, desires, and carnal or fleshly nature rather than the Spirit. Their belly or bodily appetites have become like an idol or false god ruling their lives. As 2 Peter 2:10 describes false teachers, they “indulge in the lust of defiling passion and despise authority.”
In summary, Philippians 3:19 is referring to false teachers who were leading others astray and whose lives were characterized by fleshly desires rather than humble faith in Christ. By describing their “god” as their belly, Paul paints a picture of people enslaved to carnal desires who will one day face destruction.
1. The Broader Context of Philippians 3
To better understand the specific warning in Philippians 3:19, it is helpful to see it in light of the broader passage of Philippians 3:1-21. This entire chapter provides an important context.
In the opening of the chapter, Paul warns the Philippians about the “dogs”, “evildoers” and “those who mutilate the flesh” (3:2). Based on the strong language, these are clearly false teachers who were promoting circumcision and the law of Moses as necessary for salvation (3:3).
Paul then contrasts reliance on works and law-keeping (3:4-6) with the true righteousness that comes through faith in Christ (3:7-9). He has given up a confidence in the flesh for the surpassing value of knowing Christ (3:8).
In verse 17, Paul urges the Philippians to “join in imitating me” instead of those false teachers who are “enemies of the cross of Christ.” Then in verse 18, he directly says to “watch out” for those who are headed for destruction.
Verse 19 then elaborates on these enemies of the cross with the descriptive phrase “their god is their belly.” So this verse serves as part of Paul’s warning about those who were promoting a false gospel leading to destruction.
The alternative to these false teachers is setting our minds on Christ and heavenly realities (3:19-21). So this section contrasts seeking earthly things with pursuing Christ and the life to come. The mention of destruction (3:19) relates back to Paul’s wish for the false teachers to be “mutilated” or “cut off” (3:2), emphasizing the seriousness of leading others astray from the true gospel.
2. Focus on Bodily Appetites and Desires
When Paul specifically says this group’s “god is their belly,” he uses rhetorical and metaphorical language to make a point about their values and lifestyle. Since an idol or false god rules someone’s life, Paul is saying their bodily appetites and desires control them.
The term “belly” refers literally to the stomach area or abdomen. But here it functions as a vivid metaphor for desires, especially relating to food, sex, comfort and fleshly gratification. Their belly or bodily appetites ruled them like a master or god.
Other translations interpret the phrase dynamically for clarity: “their god is their stomach” (NIV), “their god is their appetite” (CSB), “their god is their own appetite” (NLV). The verse paints a picture of those enslaved to fleshly desires and bodily comforts.
This lines up with Paul’s other descriptions of false teachers. He says some “think that godliness is a means to financial gain,” connecting twisted doctrine to greed (1 Tim 6:5-6). He warns about those who “appeal to the lustful desires of the flesh” and who are “slaves not to our Lord Christ but to their own appetites” (Rom 16:18; Jude 1:18).
So in Philippians 3, Paul’s main charge against the false teachers is doctrinal – they preached salvation by works rather than faith in Christ. But their bodily desires evidenced their fleshly values in contrast to the Spirit. Bodily temptation and lusts often accompany doctrinal compromise.
3. Contrast Between Flesh and Spirit
This focus on bodily appetite connects with the larger biblical theme of flesh versus Spirit. Paul is highlighting that for these false teachers, the flesh and its desires rule their lives rather than the Spirit.
Paul says elsewhere, “Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires” (Rom 8:5). But true believers have the Spirit of God living in them (Rom 8:9), produce the “fruit of the Spirit” (Gal 5:22-23) and have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires (Gal 5:24).
In Philippians 3, the enemies of the cross are living for earthly things (3:19), in contrast to faithful Christians who worship God “by the Spirit of God” and glory in Christ (3:3). Their end is destruction (3:19) versus the resurrection life for those in Christ (3:11, 21).
So describing the false teachers as belly-worshippers paints a stark contrast between flesh and Spirit. Their fleshly desires evidence that they don’t have the Spirit ruling their lives. This passage serves as a warning against living for temporary, earthly pleasures over eternal, spiritual treasure (cf. Matt 6:19-21).
4. Characteristics of False Teachers
Looking more closely at Philippians 3:18-19, we see a series of descriptive phrases about the “enemies of the cross of Christ” that further elaborate on their identity and characterize false teachers:
- They are headed for destruction (3:19)
- Their god is their belly (3:19)
- They set their minds on earthly things (3:19)
- They boast in outward achievements like circumcision (3:3-6)
- They put confidence in the flesh (3:4)
- Their end is destruction (3:19)
In summary, they are fleshly, outward, earthly-focused, and headed for judgment. This complements other lists of false teacher characteristics, like Romans 16:17-18, 2 Peter 2, Jude 8-16, and 1 John 4:1-6.
Looking at these characteristics, Paul says to “watch out for” and “avoid” such people – meaning beware of and do not follow their teaching (Phil 3:2; Rom 16:17-18). The stakes are high since they face destruction for leading others astray.
5. Examples of “Belly-Focused” False Teachers
While Philippians 3 does not mention false teachers by name, there are examples elsewhere of those whose lives reflected the self-focused values described in Philippians 3:19.
The Pharisees – Though keepers of the law, Jesus said the Pharisees were “lovers of money” (Luke 16:14) and that “their god is their stomach” (Phil 3:19). They focused on appearances and human praise, not the heart (Matt 23:5-7).
Balaam – He prophetically blessed Israel, but loved money and enticed Israel into idolatry and sexual immorality for profit (2 Pet 2:15; Jude 1:11; Rev 2:14).
False prophets – Ezekiel 13:19 describes false prophets ensnaring people for handfuls of barley and bread. They mislead people for money. Similarly, Paul says some teach for “shameful gain” (Titus 1:11).
The prosperity gospel – While not always heretical, those who teach spiritual gifting or blessing is proof of godliness often appeal “to the lustful desires of sinful human nature” (2 Peter 2:18). Loving money subtly twists doctrine.
These examples show that belly-focused false teachers are not just a theoretical issue, but one the church must continually guard against. Even apostles like Balaam prove vulnerable to deceitfulness of riches and using ministry for worldly gain rather than godly purposes (2 Cor 2:17).
6. Similar Warnings in Scripture About Fleshly Living
There are other passages similar to Philippians 3:19 that warn against living to please bodily appetites and fleshly desires rather than pleasing God:
- Romans 8:12-13 – Obligation is to put to death fleshly deeds to live by the Spirit.
- Romans 13:14 – We must “make no provision for the flesh” but clothe with Christ.
- 1 Corinthians 6:12-13 – Fleshly desires should not master believers.
- Galatians 5:16-17 – Walking by Spirit means not gratifying fleshly desires.
- Ephesians 2:3 – Before Christ we lived under influence of the flesh.
- Colossians 3:5-7 – Put to death earthly desires: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, greed.
- 2 Timothy 3:1-4 – Warning about the last days – people will be lovers of self and pleasure rather than God.
- James 1:14-15 – Being tempted and dragged away by bodily desires leads to sin and death.
- 1 Peter 2:11 – As foreigners on earth, believers abstain from fleshly lusts that war against the soul.
So Philippians 3:19 fits squarely within this larger biblical warning about living to gratify fleshly appetites rather than living by the Spirit of Christ.
7. Contrasted with the Fruit of the Spirit
Not only does seeking to gratify bodily desires evidence fleshly living versus spiritual living, it is also directly contrasted with manifesting the fruit of the Spirit:
- Fleshly living gratifies personal comfort and appetites.
- Spiritual living produces love, patience, kindness, goodness, etc. (Galatians 5:22-23).
Paul paints this contrast clearly in Galatians 5. He first warns against “the deeds of the flesh” like sexual immorality and drunkenness (5:19-21). But then urges believers to walk by the Spirit and bear godly fruit (5:22-25).
This means those controlled by bodily appetites will not display Christlike maturity and fruit. Rather than manifesting love, they lust. Rather than pursuing self-control, they indulge fleshly cravings. Belly-worship is antithetical to displaying the beauty of Jesus.
So Philippians 3:19 implies that these enemies of the cross lacked spiritual fruit. And all believers should examine if they are manifesting fleshly deeds or godly fruit (2 Cor 13:5).
8. Sobering Warnings Against Fleshly Living
Why does Scripture contain such stern warnings against living to gratify fleshly appetites and desires?
1) It is idolatry – Making anything an ultimate thing in your life more than God is idolatry. If your belly is your “god”, then you worship a false idol (Matt 6:24).
2) Destroys you – Sinful desires deceive and lead to death when fully developed (James 1:14-15; 2 Tim 2:26; Rom 6:21). Living by the Spirit leads to life.
3) Warps judgment – Those controlled by bodily appetites often twist doctrine to justify fleshly behaviors, like sexual immorality or greed (2 Peter 2:10b, 2:18-19).
4) Cannot please God – One controlled by the fleshly nature cannot please God or understand spiritual truths (Rom 8:5-8; 1 Cor 2:14).
5) Opposes the Spirit – Seeking to gratify fleshly desires directly opposes the work and fruit the Spirit wants to produce in us (Gal 5:16-17). It grieves the Holy Spirit.
That is why Philippians 3:19 serves as such a stark warning. Living for fleshly appetites leads only to destruction, even deceiving those who should know better into doctrinal compromise.
9. Call to Self-Examination
While Philippians 3:19 deals specifically with false teachers, it serves as a sobering self-examination for all believers. We must all guard our hearts against letting earthly desires rule our lives rather than living by the Spirit.
Paul urges the Galatians to “walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Gal 5:16). Similarly, pursuing Christlikeness requires putting sinful desires to death (Rom 8:13; Col 3:5).
Here are some reflective questions Philippians 3:19 prompts about our spiritual walk:
- What desires tend to have mastery over my heart – food, comfort, sex, wealth, leisure? What is my “belly”?
- How consistently am I manifesting the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, etc.? Or deeds of the flesh?
- Is it clear my life is governed by heavenly versus earthly values and priorities?
- Are there areas of compromise where I wrongly justify fleshly living?
- What habits and disciplines help me cultivate hunger for God’s Word over fleshly cravings?
May examining ourselves in light of Philippians 3:19 produce greater yieldedness to the Spirit’s work in our lives!
10. Conclusion
Philippians 3:19 offers a sobering warning about those whose bodily appetites rule their lives rather than the Spirit. In context, this refers to false teachers twisting doctrine to justify fleshly lifestyles. By describing their god as their belly, Paul paints a vivid picture of those enslaved to comforts and desires of the flesh.
This serves as a challenge for all believers to examine if we are manifesting fruit of the flesh or Spirit. Bodily indulgence opposes the work of the Spirit. But walking in the Spirit produces Christlike character. May God give us grace to put sinful desires to death daily through Spirit-empowered discipline and discernment.
