Philippians 3:8

3:8 More than that, I now regard all things as liabilities compared to the far greater value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things – indeed, I regard them as dung! ¹  – that I may gain Christ,

Philippians 3:10

3:10 My aim is to know him, ²  to experience the power of his resurrection, to share in his sufferings, ³  and to be like him in his death,

Titus 2:11-12

2:11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people. ⁴  2:12 It trains us ⁵  to reject godless ways ⁶  and worldly desires and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,

¹ tn The word here translated “dung” was often used in Greek as a vulgar term for fecal matter. As such it would most likely have had a certain shock value for the readers. This may well be Paul’s meaning here, especially since the context is about what the flesh produces.

² tn The articular infinitive τοῦ γνῶναι (tou gnwnai, “to know”) here expresses purpose. The words “My aim is” have been supplied in the translation to emphasize this nuance and to begin a new sentence (shorter sentences are more appropriate for English style).

³ tn Grk “to know him, the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings.”

⁴ tn Grk “all men”; but ἀνθρώποις (anqrwpois) is generic here, referring to both men and women.

⁵ tn Grk “training us” (as a continuation of the previous clause). Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started at the beginning of v. 12 by translating the participle παιδεύουσα (paideuousa) as a finite verb and supplying the pronoun “it” as subject.

⁶ tn Grk “ungodliness.”