This commentary is a work in progress and may be revised as study continues. If you have a question, spot an error, or want to discuss a passage, please reach out.
1Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.
2Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.
3For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
4Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
5Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
6Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
7But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
8Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
9And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
10That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
11If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
12Not 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.
Paul acknowledges that he hasn't reached perfection or fully“attained” the goal yet, but he "presses on" or will "follow after." This indicates a continual effort to grow in Christlikeness and to understand God more deeply. The use of the word "apprehend" here refers to both understanding and achieving the full purpose for which Christ has called him. He isn't claiming to have arrived at perfect knowledge or spiritual maturity, but he continues to move forward, pursuing that goal.
Jesus understands us and works through us, we are “apprehended of Christ Jesus”. Christ has called him for a purpose and Paul strives after this.
In verse 16 below, Paul explains that although we don’t have all understanding, or fully reached our purpose, we have made some progress “whereto we have already attained”.
13Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
The “high calling” here is the invitation of the gospel call. King Jesus sends out this high calling, to sit, eat and drink with Him. In Luke 14:7-24 we read of this calling to sit at His table. Luke 14:16 says “Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:”
Here we see there is a “prize”, something that can be earned. Since salvation is a gift that cannot be earned (Eph 2:8-9, Romans 4:5). Jesus tells us in Luke 14 to love those who can’t love us in return and we will be rewarded for this: “And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.”
15Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
16Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
We may not fully know all yet but we do understand, we have to a degree “attained” some knowledge, so therefore do this.
17Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
18(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
19Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
20For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
21Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
3
Philippians 3 — Forever Word commentary
King James VersionThis commentary is a work in progress and may be revised as study continues. If you have a question, spot an error, or want to discuss a passage, please reach out.
1Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.
2Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.
3For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
4Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
5Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
6Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
7But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
8Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
9And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
10That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
11If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
12Not 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.
Paul acknowledges that he hasn't reached perfection or fully “attained” the goal yet, but he "presses on" or will "follow after." This indicates a continual effort to grow in Christlikeness and to understand God more deeply. The use of the word "apprehend" here refers to both understanding and achieving the full purpose for which Christ has called him. He isn't claiming to have arrived at perfect knowledge or spiritual maturity, but he continues to move forward, pursuing that goal.
Jesus understands us and works through us, we are “apprehended of Christ Jesus”. Christ has called him for a purpose and Paul strives after this.
In verse 16 below, Paul explains that although we don’t have all understanding, or fully reached our purpose, we have made some progress “whereto we have already attained”.
13Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
The “high calling” here is the invitation of the gospel call. King Jesus sends out this high calling, to sit, eat and drink with Him. In Luke 14:7-24 we read of this calling to sit at His table. Luke 14:16 says “Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:”
Here we see there is a “prize”, something that can be earned. Since salvation is a gift that cannot be earned (Eph 2:8-9, Romans 4:5). Jesus tells us in Luke 14 to love those who can’t love us in return and we will be rewarded for this: “And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.”
15Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
16Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
We may not fully know all yet but we do understand, we have to a degree “attained” some knowledge, so therefore do this.
17Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
18(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
19Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
20For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
21Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.