Philippians 3:12

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Translations sourced from the public-domain WEB, KJV, and ASV. See all sources.

“Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect; but I press on, that I may take hold of that for which also I was taken hold of by Christ Jesus.”

— WEB

“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.”

— KJV

“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 Christ Jesus.”

— ASV

Bible Verses About Identity in Christ

Cross-references

Related verses via the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

1 Timothy 6:11-12 "But you, man of God, flee these things, and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness."
2 Peter 1:5-8 "Yes, and for this very cause adding on your part all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence; and in moral excellence, knowledge;"
Psalms 138:8 "Yahweh will fulfill that which concerns me; your loving kindness, Yahweh, endures forever. Don’t forsake the works of your own hands."
Hosea 6:3 "Let us acknowledge Yahweh. Let us press on to know Yahweh. As surely as the sun rises, Yahweh will appear. He will come to us like the ra…"
1 Peter 3:11-13 "Let him turn away from evil, and do good. Let him seek peace, and pursue it."
2 Corinthians 7:1 "Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fe…"
Isaiah 51:1 "“Listen to me, you who follow after righteousness, you who seek Yahweh: look to the rock you were cut from, and to the quarry you were du…"
Hebrews 13:21 "make you complete in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to wh…"

Commentary

Translate, "Not that I," &c. (I do not wish to be understood as saying that, &c.). attained--"obtained," namely, a perfect knowledge of Christ, and of the power of His death, and fellowship of His sufferings, and a conformity to His death. either were already perfect--"or am already perfected," that is, crowned with the garland of victory, my course completed, and perfection absolutely reached. The image is that of a race course throughout. See Co1 9:24; Heb 12:23. See TRENCH [Greek Synonyms of the New Testament]. I follow after--"I press on." apprehend . . . apprehended--"If so be that I may lay hold on that (namely, the prize, Phi 3:14) for which also I was laid hold on by Christ" (namely, at my conversion, Sol 1:4; Co1 13:12). Jesus--omitted in the oldest manuscripts. Paul was close to "apprehending" the prize (Ti2 4:7-8). Christ the Author, is also the Finisher of His people's "race."

— Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary (public domain)

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