Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - Philippians 3:10 - 3:10
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
That I may know him (tou gnōnai auton). Genitive of the articular second aorist (ingressive) active infinitive (purpose) of ginōskō, to have personal acquaintance or experience with. This is Paul’s major passion, to get more knowledge of Christ by experience.
The power of his resurrection (tēn dunamin tēs anastaseōs autou). Power (Lightfoot) in the sense of assurance to believers in immortality (1Co 15:14.; Rom 8:11), in the triumph over sin (Rom 4:24.), in the dignity of the body (1Co 6:13.; Phi 3:21), in stimulating the moral and spiritual life (Gal 2:20; Rom 6:4.; Col 2:12; Eph 2:5). See Westcott’s The Gospel of the Resurrection, ii, 31.
The fellowship of his sufferings (tēn Koinéōnian tōn pathēmatōn autou). Partnership in (objective genitive) his sufferings, an honour prized by Paul (2Co 1:24).
Becoming conformed to his death (summorphizomenos tōi thanatōi autou). Present passive participle of summorphizō, late verb from summorphos, found only here and ecclesiastical writers quoting it. The Latin Vulgate uses configuro. See note on Rom 6:4 for sumphutoi in like sense and 2Co 4:10. “The agony of Gethsemane, not less than the agony of Calvary, will be reproduced however faintly in the faithful servant of Christ” (Lightfoot). “In this passage we have the deepest secrets of the Apostle’s Christian experience unveiled” (Kennedy).