Phili 3:12-14 | JFB | STEP | 12. 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 ; . 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, ) for which also I was laid hold on by Christ" (namely, at my conversion, ; ). Jesus-- omitted in the oldest manuscripts. Paul was close to "apprehending" the prize ( , ). Christ the Author, is also the Finisher of His people's "race."

‏ Philippians 3:12-14

12. 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 1Co 9:24; He 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, Php 3:14) for which also I was laid hold on by Christ" (namely, at my conversion, So 1:4; 1Co 13:12).

Jesus--omitted in the oldest manuscripts. Paul was close to "apprehending" the prize (2Ti 4:7, 8). Christ the Author, is also the Finisher of His people's "race."

13. I--whatever others count as to themselves. He who counts himself perfect, must deceive himself by calling sin infirmity (1Jo 1:8); at the same time, each must aim at perfection, to be a Christian at all (Mt 5:48).

forgetting those things ... behind--Looking back is sure to end in going back (Lu 9:62): So Lot's wife (Lu 17:32). If in stemming a current we cease pulling the oar against it, we are carried back. God's word to us is as it was to Israel, "Speak unto the children of Israel that they go forward" (Ex 14:15). The Bible is our landmark to show us whether we are progressing or retrograding.

reaching forth--with hand and foot, like a runner in a race, and the body bent forward. The Christian is always humbled by the contrast between what he is and what he desires to be. The eye reaches before and draws on the hand, the hand reaches before and draws on the foot [Bengel].

unto--towards (He 6:1).

14. high calling--literally, "the calling that is above" (Ga 4:26; Col 3:1): "the heavenly calling" (He 3:1). "The prize" is "the crown of righteousness" (1Co 9:24; 2Ti 4:8). Re 2:10, "crown of life." 1Pe 5:4, "a crown of glory that fadeth not away." "The high," or "heavenly calling," is not restricted, as Alford thinks, to Paul's own calling as an apostle by the summons of God from heaven; but the common calling of all Christians to salvation in Christ, which coming from heaven invites us to heaven, whither accordingly our minds ought to be uplifted.