Paul warned the Philippians about false teachers in Philippians 3:2. Their distortion of the gospel led him to use his own life as illustrative of a wrong (Phil. 3:4–6) and a right (Phil. 3:7–9) understanding of the gospel. The true gospel looks to Christ alone for righteousness, but then pursues further intimacy and identification with him (Phil. 3:10–11). Now clarifying that the Christian life is imperfect and in process, Paul appeals to the Philippians to follow his example and not that of false teachers (Phil. 3:18–19).

1. Imitate Those Who Follow Christ (v. 17)
2. Don't Imitate Those Who Are Enemies of The Cross (v. 18-19) 
3. Set Your Minds On Heaven and Eagerly Long for Christs' Return (v. 20-21)

Paul ends Philippians 3 by rejoicing that when Jesus returns he “will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body” (Phil. 3:21). The path from lowliness to glory is a well-trodden one by this point in Philippians. The supreme example is that of Christ in his incarnation and crucifixion, leading to his resurrection and exaltation (Phil. 2:5–11). Similarly, Paul’s life being “poured out as a drink offering” (in execution) is something to “rejoice” in since it will demonstrate, at the “day of Christ,” that he “did not run in vain” (Phil. 3:16–17).