Philippians 3:16, KJV: "Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing." Philippians 3:7 - But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Once a person has been born again they are to grow in grace and in a knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. . See Philippians 3:14 (printed below) I press on to the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. He admits that he was one of their number at one time, one who could boast of more fleshly prerogatives than anyone else. Perfection is not attainable, but press on to fulfill your purpose—3:12 . Philippians 3:12-14. Yet over and over he reveals his mind-set, that he was still in the process: “Not that I have already obtained it” (3:12), meaning, “I have not yet come to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings and conformity to His death in a complete and total way.” “I do not regard myself as having laid hold if it yet” (3:13). We cannot run our race like the hare of the "Tortoise and the Hare" fable, in which the hare took a nap during the race. KING JAMES VERSION (KJV) TRANSLATION, MEANING, CONTEXT. - remember, chapter 3 has been giving a contrast between "self-righteousness" and "Christ-righteousness." Philippians 3:13-14 (New International Version) 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. on StudyLight.org. Philippians 3:12 12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 1) the Judaizers had been teaching that you couldn't be … This meaning isn't about judgment but the opposite. Once a man or woman has trusted the Lord Jesus as Saviour, he embarks on a race through life to the finishing post. ” The repetition of such basic Gospel exhortations was no trouble for Paul. Study of Philippians--3:12-16 Warnings about Perfectionism—3:12-16. Pressing Toward the Goal - Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. He tells us about the specifics of following Christ. Verse 11 is a continuation of Paul’s personal testimony about his spiritual aspirations. Below are some preliminary questions to assist in the study of this passage. PHILIPPIANS 3:14. What was it that Paul had not yet attained? This was his and their hope of eternal life. He is going to call you and me to an impossible task that can only be pulled off by God. Philippians 3:12 Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Understand the meaning of Philippians 3:12 using all available Bible versions and commentary. Philippians 3:12-21 Exploring the Passage. Philippians 3:16 Parallel Verses [⇓ See commentary ⇓] Philippians 3:16, NIV: "Only let us live up to what we have already attained." If anyone does claim to rely on them, my claim is better. Read Introduction to Philippians “If, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.” In English, in this verse, Paul appears to doubt that he will rise from the dead. We cannot run our race like the hare of the "Tortoise and the Hare" fable, in which the hare took a nap during the race. The Christian life is especially like the longer races where the runner must sustain a winning frame of mind over a longer period of time. 4 although, I myself could rely on these too. (Philippians 3:12-16, NKJV) For Paul, the reality of his sins being forgiven and an eternity in Heaven with Christ was a glorious reality! 1. The perfect tense may bear the meaning of the present-Buttmann, § 113, 7-yet the use of the present immediately after confines us to the past signification. What does Paul say he is doing as a Christian? Not as though I ever yet attained, or have been already made perfect. In 3:1-11 Paul had warned his hearers about the enemies of the Gospel, especially those who trusted in the flesh. But when he became a Christian, all of this became worthless in his sight. He had not “attained” his life ambition set forth in verse 10. "Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect: but I press on, if so be that I may lay hold on that for which also I was laid hold on by Chri." Philippians 3:14 Meaning of Press on Toward the Goal. In the writings we have from the apostle Paul, not only do we have good, objective instruction about how we ought to live as God's people, there is also the example of the man, the apostle Paul. (12) Not as though . 1. In Philippians 3:12–21, Paul imparts the secret of life. Get your church set-up with online giving, sermon streaming, and more in under 24 hours. The word picture in Philippians 3:12-14 is of men straining to win a foot race. Commentary on Philippians 3:12-21 (Read Philippians 3:12-21) This simple dependence and earnestness of soul, were not mentioned as if the apostle had gained the prize, or were already made perfect in the Saviour's likeness. Read Introduction to Philippians “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected, but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.” No Christian is perfect, not even the apostle Paul. Paul acknowledged that he had not become perfect. Paul was a hater of Christ and His church. Indeed, too many people have too often read Paul’s words as an example of Christian superiority over Judaism. The true meaning is nearer to our word "fidelity" or "faithfulness," meanings which Paul plainly included in the expression, "the obedience of faith," with which he both began and concluded the Book of Romans. Philippians 3:12-14 NLT. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. To write the same things to you, to me indeed not grievous, but for you safe. philip24.doc: Faith East - this morning, we're going to study one of the most important sections in this entire book. That is why a text such as Philippians 3:4b–14, today’s lectionary passage, is no popular choice. Paul was referring to becoming complete in Jesus Christ. These things I have set down as loss, and do so still. It is clear that Paul is speaking with respect to his own faith and life. The word picture in Philippians 3:12-14 is of men straining to win a foot race. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. The truth that he was given the perfect righteousness of Christ by faith in place of his self-merited, feeble attempt at being righteous, made him anything but complacent as a Christian and follower of Jesus. It does not seem to display much respect toward Judaism. To get what Philippians 3:14 means based on its source text, scroll down or follow these links for the original scriptural meaning , biblical context and relative popularity. .--The tenses are here varied. Philippians 3:1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. 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