Do me a favor and get lost-next time on ignore you go.
Php 3:12 Not that I have already received this , [*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation] or have already been made perfect, but I press on if indeed I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ. [Some manuscripts have “Christ Jesus”]
Php 3:13 Brothers, I do not consider myself to have laid hold of it . [*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation] But I do one thing , forgetting the things behind and straining toward the things ahead,
Php 3:14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
In Philippians 3:12-14, the apostle Paul provides insight into his own spiritual journey and mindset, offering encouragement and exhortation to the Philippian believers.
Context:
Background:
Paul is writing to the Philippian church from prison, expressing his joy in the Lord despite his circumstances and encouraging the Philippian believers to stand firm in their faith amidst persecution and opposition.
Main Themes:
Righteousness through Christ: Paul emphasizes the surpassing value of knowing Christ and the righteousness that comes through faith in Him, contrasting it with reliance on religious rituals or human achievement.
Pressing Toward the Goal: Paul uses athletic imagery to convey the idea of spiritual striving and perseverance. He sees his Christian life as a race, pressing forward toward the goal of knowing Christ fully and experiencing the resurrection.
Verse Breakdown:
Philippians 3:12:
Paul acknowledges that he has not yet attained the fullness of spiritual maturity or perfection. Despite his remarkable achievements and experiences as an apostle, he recognizes that there is still room for growth in his relationship with Christ. He expresses his determination to press on toward the goal for which Christ laid hold of him.
Philippians 3:13:
Here, Paul reiterates his acknowledgment of his own spiritual journey. He admits that he has not yet reached the goal but emphasizes the importance of focusing on what lies ahead rather than dwelling on past successes or failures. Paul's attitude reflects humility and a forward-looking perspective, encouraging believers to adopt a similar mindset.
Philippians 3:14:
Paul concludes by emphasizing his commitment to pressing on toward the goal, which he identifies as the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. This prize represents the ultimate reward of eternal life and fellowship with God, motivating believers to persevere in their faith journey despite obstacles and challenges.
Overall Message:
Paul's message in these verses is one of perseverance, humility, and focus on the surpassing value of knowing Christ. He encourages believers to press forward in their faith journey, leaving behind the past and striving toward the goal of experiencing the fullness of life in Christ. Paul's own example serves as inspiration for believers to continue pursuing spiritual growth and maturity, relying on the grace and power of God to sustain them along the way.
1) "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended" (adelphoi) "I reckon not yet myself to have laid hold, brethren" (ego hemauton oupo logizomai kateilephenai). This is a personal concession of a lowly position of perfection to which Paul had come, lest some brethren at Philippi should presume themselves to have already achieved, to their hurt of influence and testimony, Jas_4:10; 1Pe_5:6.
2) "But this one thing I do" (en de) "the things on the other hand;" It is bet say, "This one thing I do" than a "dozen things I dabble at" Those who succeed in life usually major at, are wholly given to, at least one primary thing in life's efforts; David was so committed, Psa_27:4; Mar_10:21. Mary chose the one thing most important in life, Luk_10:41-42.
3) "Forgetting those things which are behind" (ta men opiso epilanthanomenos) "The things on the one hand behind, past, forgetting, putting aside" things that to remember would obstruct, hinder, or hold one back in the Lord, no longer trusting in them, positions of popularity, pride, and worldly advantage--not looking back on the racetrack where one has already run.
4) "And reaching forth unto those things which a before" (tois de emposthen epekteinomenos) "yet the things before, on the other hand, stretching to or toward" like a runner in the final goal stretch of a race, stretching forth with head, neck, and body wholly pressing to the goal", Heb_12:2.
1) "I press toward the mark" (kata skopon doko) "I, leaning forward, follow according to a mark," standard; 1Co_9:24; Heb_12:1. The race of life to be run is a marathon, for life, not an hundred yard dash, Rev_2:10.
2) "For the prize" (eis to Brabeion) "with relation to the prize." The prize is not salvation, eternal life, itself, but it is a special award which the Lord will give to those who faithfully run the race of an obedient life of service to Christ to the end, 2Ti_4:7-8.
3) "Of the high calling of God" (tes ano kleseos tou theau) “of the calling (from) above of God;" to a crown of life, pertaining to a life of faithful service to the end, 1Co_3:8; 1Pe_5:10. Each believer is called to the High calling, to hear a "well done," for faithful service, whether he have one or ten talents, Mat_25:15; Rev_22:12.
4) "In Christ Jesus" (en Christo lesou) "in Jesus Christ" Salvation's call is universal, to the Corporate human race, including all, excluding none. One's being "in Christ," "in his Son," is conditioned on his personal, voluntary, volitional choice of Jesus Christ as his personal Savior in time, Joh_1:11-12; Joh_3:16; Joh_3:18; Joh_8:24; 1Jn_5:1. The high calling of God to service, in and through the Church, by Christ Jesus, is to all who will obey in:
a) hearing – Rom_10:17;
b) repenting – Luk_13:3; Act_17:30-31; 2Co_7:10.
c) believing to salvation (Then) – Joh_3:14-16; John 18; Joh_5:24; Eph_2:8-9.
d) 'Being baptized to prepare to walk the new life in and through the Church, which he loved and purchased with his own blood, Act_20:28; Eph_5:25; Eph_3:21.
