What is the meaning of Philippians 3:12? Not that I have already obtained all this “Not that I have already obtained all this…” (Philippians 3:12) Paul has just spoken of knowing Christ, sharing His sufferings, and experiencing the power of His resurrection (3:10-11). He wants readers to understand: • He does not consider the knowledge of Christ a completed project. Like 2 Peter 3:18 urges, he keeps “growing in grace.” • The resurrection life he longs for is still future (1 Corinthians 13:12). • Humility keeps him from complacency, echoing 1 Corinthians 9:24 where believers run so as to win the prize. or have already been made perfect “…or have already been made perfect…” (Philippians 3:12) Perfection (complete Christ-likeness) awaits glorification: • Romans 8:29-30 shows God’s purpose: conforming believers to Christ in glory. • 1 John 3:2-3 reminds us that when He appears “we will be like Him,” yet meanwhile we purify ourselves. • Hebrews 10:14 affirms that Christ’s one offering “has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified,” highlighting an already/not-yet tension—positionally perfect, practically in progress. but I press on “…but I press on…” (Philippians 3:12) The verb signals determined pursuit, not passive waiting: • Hebrews 12:1-2 calls believers to run with endurance, fixing eyes on Jesus. • 1 Corinthians 9:26-27 pictures disciplined training, not aimless motion. • Galatians 6:9 encourages perseverance, “for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Paul models holy dissatisfaction that fuels forward motion. to take hold of that “…to take hold of that…” (Philippians 3:12) What is “that”? • Full conformity to Christ (Ephesians 4:13) • The upward call and prize he will soon mention (Philippians 3:14) • Present maturity and future resurrection wrapped together (Colossians 1:28) He stretches toward everything God intends for him, refusing partial measures. for which Christ Jesus took hold of me “…for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” (Philippians 3:12) The pursuit is grounded in prior grace: • On the Damascus road Jesus seized Paul’s life (Acts 9:3-6), proving John 15:16—“You did not choose Me, but I chose you.” • Romans 8:28-29 links God’s calling with the purpose of conforming believers to His Son. • Because Christ initiated, Paul’s effort is response, not self-generated heroics. He strives in the strength of the One who already owns him (Colossians 1:29). summary Paul admits he hasn’t reached the finish line, hasn’t arrived at perfect Christ-likeness, and hasn’t fully experienced resurrection life. Yet, confident that Jesus first laid hold of him, he refuses complacency and presses forward with single-minded resolve. The verse calls every believer to the same humble honesty, relentless pursuit, and grace-grounded confidence until the day we stand complete in Christ. |
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