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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Php_3:12-16
12Not 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. 13Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; 16however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained.
Php_3:12 "Not that I have already obtained it" Paul lived in the tension of the present but not yet consummated Kingdom of God. He knew Christ, he knew who he was in Christ, he knew he was accepted by Christ but he struggled with Christlike living (cf. Romans 7). Paul had arrived but had not fully arrived; he was complete but not fully complete.
Some ancient Greek manuscripts, P46, D*, and G, add "or have been righteous." This addition is also found in the Greek texts used by Irenaeus and Ambrosiaster. However, the shorter text is supported by MSS P61, à , A, B, Dc, K, and P as well as the ancient translations, the Vulgate, the Syrian, and the Coptic.
NASB, TEV "or have already become perfect"
NKJV "or am already perfected"
NRSV "or have already reached the goal"
NJB "nor yet reached my goal"
This is a perfect passive indicative with the implication that something happened in the past which has become a settled state and this was accomplished by God. The term itself meant
1. fully developed
2. fully equipped
3. complete
4. mature
5. adequate
It did not have the English connotation of perfection or sinlessness.
▣ "I press on" This is a present active indicative. This was originally a hunting term meaning "to pursue an animal." It came to be used metaphorically of a foot race. Paul did not pursue salvation (cf. Rom_9:30) but a maturity, a Christlikeness (cf. Rom_6:4-9).
NASB "in order that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus"
NKJV "that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me"
NRSV "to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own"
TEV "to win the prize for which Christ Jesus has already won me to himself"
NJB "in the attempt to take hold of the prize for which Christ Jesus took hold of me"
This section starts with a third class conditional sentence (using ei instead of ean) which means probable future action (cf. Php_3:11). It can refer to (1) salvation (Php_3:9); (2) Christlikeness (Php_3:10); or (3) resurrection (Php_3:11).
This is a strong Greek word. Paul was "snatched" by Christ on the road to Damascus (cf. Act_9:1-22; Act_22:3-16; Act_26:9-18). The One whose followers he persecuted now confronted him as the resurrected Lord. Theology and personal experience merged! Paul now sought to be like those and Him whom he once attacked.
Php_3:13 "I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet" This is a Perfect active infinitive. This term is used three times in Php_3:12-13. Paul strove to be mature in Christ but he knew that he fell short of Christlike maturity (cf. Romans 7). Yet the great truth of the gospel is that in Christ he (and all believers) were already complete (justified and sanctified, cf. Rom_8:29-30).
The terms "regard," "impute," or "reckon" (cf. Rom_4:3; Rom_6:11; 1Co_13:5) all refer to a mental affirmation whereby fallen mankind understands the gospel and chooses to live in light of its new truth and new worldview in Christ!
There is a manuscript variation in this sentence with the word "yet" versus "not." The ancient texts are split between these two options. The best explanation is that scribes changed Paul's "not" to "not yet" because they perhaps thought he was being too modest. Like most manuscript variations this affects interpretation very little.
▣ "forgetting what lies behind" This is a present middle (deponent) participle. Paul started over spiritually. He had left his Jewish past. However, because it is present tense this phrase may include his Apostolic work or present imprisonment. His spiritual standing before God was not based on human performance, past or present!
▣ "reaching forward to what lies ahead" This is another present middle (deponent) participle. This is the first in a series of athletic terms. It meant "a runner stretching for the goal." It is an intensified compound with two prepositions, epi and ek. Paul vigorously lived a life of gratitude. After being saved his intensity level remained high but the motive was radically changed from self-effort to gospel service.
Php_3:14 This is a series of athletic metaphors. They show us the strenuous effort needed for the Christian life (cf. 1Co_9:24; 1Co_9:27; Heb_12:1).
▣ "upward call of God" See Special Topic: Called at Eph_4:1.
Php_3:15 "as many as are perfect" This is the same term "perfect" as Php_3:12 but Paul is using it in two different senses. Christians can be mature without being sinless (cf. 1Co_2:6; 1Co_14:20; Eph_4:13; Heb_5:14; Heb_6:1).
▣ "let us. . .have this attitude" Paul often refers to the mental processes. Paul uses several of the Greek words for reasoning or thinking. This is a present active subjunctive of "phroneô" (cf. Php_1:7; Php_3:15; Php_3:19); "ginosko" (cf. Php_1:12); "psuchç" (cf. Php_1:27); "noçma" (cf. Php_4:7); "logizomai" (cf. Php_4:9); "manthano" (cf. Php_4:9; Php_4:11). Believers are to worship God with their minds (cf. Deu_6:23, quoted in Mat_22:36-38; Mar_12:29-34; Luk_10:27-28). True Christianity cannot be anti-intellectual. However, we must not trust in our fallen human reasoning, but in God's self disclosure (Scripture).
▣ "if" This is a first class conditional sentence, which is assumed to be true from the author's perspective or for his literary purposes. There were those in the fellowship who did have a "different attitude."
▣ "God will reveal that also to you" There is disagreement among believers about many aspects of the faith. Paul felt confident that the new covenant which involved an indwelling Spirit, a new heart, and a new mind would eventually inform and reform all believers (cf. Jer_31:31-34; Eze_36:26-27; Joh_6:45; Eph_1:17; 1Th_4:9; 1Jn_2:27).
In context this phrase reveals Paul's view about the authority of his message. He felt he was led by the Spirit (cf. 1Co_2:10; 1Co_7:10-12; 1Co_11:23; 1Co_14:37-38; 2Co_10:8; 2Co_12:1; Gal_1:12; Gal_1:16; Gal_2:2; 2Th_3:14). This was another way to reflect his sense of apostolic authority.
This could be interpreted in two ways: (1) God will reveal His truth to errant believers or (2) God will reveal to believers those who are errant in their doctrine or practice. In context #2 seems best.
Php_3:16
NASB "however, let us keep living by the same standard to which we have attained"
NKJV "Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind"
NRSV "Only let us hold fast to what we have attained"
TEV "However that may be, let us go forward according to the same rules we have followed until now"
NJB " Meanwhile, let us go forward from the point we have each attained"
This verse is Paul's admonition to continue to live as Christians (cf. Eph_4:1; Eph_4:17; Eph_5:2; Eph_5:15). Believers are justified and sanctified by God's gift through faith in Christ, but they must continue to strive toward Christlike maturity (cf. 2Co_3:18).
There is a series of additions to the verse in the ancient Greek manuscripts. The shortest text (NASB and NRSV) is found in the Greek manuscripts P16, P46, à *, A, B. The UBS4 gives this shorter text an "A" rating (certain). The Textus Receptus adds "let us be of the same mind" (NKJV) which is found in MSS à c, K, and P. There are several other additions which seems to show the scribal tendency to modify and add to this verse.