Verse 11 is a continuation of Paul’s personal testimony about his spiritual aspirations. Philippians 3:12-14. 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. 3:12 Not that I have already obtained this 171 or already been perfected, but I pursue 172 it if also I might seize it, the very thing for which also I was seized by Christ Jesus. In the Greek version, it reads, Work out your own salvation with fear and exaltation. The Greek word used here for "attained" is lambano. The Apostle Paul begins by encouraging these believers to “rejoice in the Lord. This meaning isn't about judgment but the opposite. To write the same things to you, to me indeed not grievous, but for you safe. 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. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. 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 had not “attained” his life ambition set forth in verse 10. These things I have set down as loss, and do so still. Yet this is no appropriate interpretation, as I will show. I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. Below are some preliminary questions to assist in the study of this passage. (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! In the matter of the Law, I was a Pharisee;. Philippians 3:12-21 PRESSING TOWARD THE GOAL OF OUR HEAVENLY HOME . Philippians 3:12-14. There is useful instruction about the local church. Perfection is not attainable, but press on to fulfill your purpose—3:12 . Does he question the assurance of his salvation? Not as though I ever yet attained, or have been already made perfect. Philippians 3:12-14 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. 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. He gives us precepts and principles from God. Get your church set-up with online giving, sermon streaming, and more in under 24 hours. For a comprehensive study of the passage, download the Study Guide (PDF download). 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. The word picture in Philippians 3:12-14 is of men straining to win a foot race. Home >> Bible Studies >> Philippians Studies >> Phillipians 3:12-21 These small group studies of Philippians contain outlines, cross-references, Bible study discussion questions, and applications. Paul acknowledged that he had not become perfect. He realized that he had not yet arrived and humbly accepted his status of imperfection. If anyone does claim to rely on them, my claim is better. "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." But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. Scripture: Philippians 2:1, Philippians 3:12-16, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Philippians 4:2-9, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12 (view more) (view less) Tags: Peace , Pleasing God , Harmony Peace , Getting Along , Spiritual Pursuit , Christlike Living , We Belong To God , Our Ministry Matters , Practicing Peace , Manage Conflict , Practicing Integrity , Mindful Of Others (view more) (view less) It is clear that Paul is speaking with respect to his own faith and life. Paul is saying, "I don't have it yet." He forgot the things which were behind, so as not to be content with past labours or present measures of grace. (12) Not as though . 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. 3:12 Not that I have already attained - The prize. Philippians 3:16 Parallel Verses [⇓ See commentary ⇓] Philippians 3:16, NIV: "Only let us live up to what we have already attained." 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. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. Paul was referring to becoming complete in Jesus Christ. The one is fitted for the race, Philippians 3:15 ; the other, ready to receive the prize. This great task is pursuing intimacy with Jesus Christ, which leads to significance, purpose, and joy in this life and in the life to come. 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. 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. Moving on to a new paragraph, Paul speaks of his goal in light of his loss. Philippians 3:1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. - remember, chapter 3 has been giving a contrast between "self-righteousness" and "Christ-righteousness." Philippians 3:12-14 NLT. Once a person has been born again they are to grow in grace and in a knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 3:12-21 Exploring the Passage. In 3:1-11 Paul had warned his hearers about the enemies of the Gospel, especially those who trusted in the flesh. ” The repetition of such basic Gospel exhortations was no trouble for Paul. Philippians 3:14 Meaning of Press on Toward the Goal. The word picture in Philippians 3:12-14 is of men straining to win a foot race. 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. Or am already perfected - There is a difference between one that is perfect, and one that is perfected. (philippians 3:12-16) not as though i had already attained, either were already perfect: but i follow after, if that i may apprehend that for which also i am apprehended of christ jesus. philip24.doc: Faith East - this morning, we're going to study one of the most important sections in this entire book. 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). 1. He admits that he was one of their number at one time, one who could boast of more fleshly prerogatives than anyone else. Philippians 3:12 - ESV: 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. Understand the meaning of Philippians 3:12 using all available Bible versions and commentary. Feb 20, 2020 May 7, 2020 by Editor in Chief. In Philippians 2:12-13, I once saw on the Internet that the line work out your salvation with fear and trembling is not correct. on StudyLight.org. Philippians 3:12-14 New International Version << Philippians 2 | Philippians 3 | Philippians 4 >> 12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. He tells us about the specifics of following Christ. Thus, Paul urges you to set your earthly goals on heavenly gains . Paul was a hater of Christ and His church. That is why a text such as Philippians 3:4b–14, today’s lectionary passage, is no popular choice. He is going to call you and me to an impossible task that can only be pulled off by God. Dr. Steve Viars October 28, 1995 Philippians 3:12-16. document. In Philippians 3:12–21, Paul imparts the secret of life. 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. Philippians 3:12. by Grant Richison | Jan 17, 1996 | Philippians | 0 comments. Philippians 3:14(NASB) Verse Thoughts. Philippians 3:13-14 (New International Version) 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. .--The tenses are here varied. 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. But observe how, in the utmost fervour, he retains his sobriety of spirit. Indeed, too many people have too often read Paul’s words as an example of Christian superiority over Judaism. Visit our library of inductive Bible studies for more in depth inductive studies on this and other books of the Bible you can use in your small group. It does not seem to display much respect toward Judaism. 5 Circumcised on the eighth day of my life, I was born of the race of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrew parents. Philippians 3:12 (NKJV) 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. Once a man or woman has trusted the Lord Jesus as Saviour, he embarks on a race through life to the finishing post. Philippians 3:14 “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Explanation and Commentary of Philippians 3:14. 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. PHILIPPIANS 3:14. Study of Philippians--3:12-16 Warnings about Perfectionism—3:12-16. Philippians 3:12-16. 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 3:16, ESV: "Only let us hold true to what we have attained." It means: "to receive, to grasp, to seize, to acquire." 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. Paul has renounced his former life of earning salvation by works and discipline. But when he became a Christian, all of this became worthless in his sight. 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. This was his and their hope of eternal life. 4 although, I myself could rely on these too. 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. . Philippians 3:12-16 - Pressing On for Christ. What does Paul say he is doing as a Christian? What was it that Paul had not yet attained? He here enters on a new set of metaphors, taken from a race. 1. 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