“Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)”
Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame—with minds set on earthly things — the judgment is eschatological: apōleia (destruction) awaits the apostates. 'God is their belly' (ho theos autōn hē koilia) inverts the first commandment: appetite replaces God. 'They glory in their shame' (kauchaomai en aischynē) shows inverted values: shame becomes boast. 'Set on earthly things' (ta epigeia, things on earth) contrasts with the 'upward call' (3:14). Their theology is embodied: they live for bodily appetite, not resurrection hope.
Church Fathers on Philippians 3:19
Nothing is so incongruous in a Christian, and foreign to his character, as to seek ease and rest; and to be engrossed with the present life is foreign to our profession and enlistment. Your Master was crucified, and do you seek ease? Your Master was pierced with nails, and do you live delicately? Do these things become a noble soldier? Wherefore Paul says, “Many walk, of whom I told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ.”…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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