philippians-3:1-14-esv

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:10

"The fellowship of his sufferings." I. THE CHRISTIAN IS CALLED INTO FELLOWSHIP OF HIS LORD 'S SUFFERINGS . 1 . He is called into fellowship with Christ. This is further implied by the clause, "becoming conformed unto his death." It is St. Paul's conception of the heart and essence of the Christian life. He constantly describes the process of our union with Christ as involving our repetition of Christ's experience of life, suffering, death, resurrection, and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:10-11

The knowledge of Christ: its degrees and its purpose. I. THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIS PERSON . This is the initiatory step. We must first recognize him to be our own God and Savior, and One who is to be altogether longed for. Nathanael thus knew him ( John 1:49 ), and St. Peter ( Matthew 16:16 ). II. THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION . This is a step beyond the simple knowledge of his person. It can be found only in our own spiritual experience when... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:11

If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead . The apostle uses the language of humble expectation. For the particles, "if by any means" ( εἴ πως ), comp. Acts 27:12 ; Romans 1:10 ; Romans 11:14 . The verb "attain" means to arrive at the end of a journey; it presents the figure of a pilgrimage. Read, with R.V. and the best manuscripts, the resurrection from the dead. This phrase (used also in Luke 20:35 and Acts 4:2 ) means the resurrection of the blessed... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:12

Not as though I had already. attained, either were already perfect ; the R.V. renders this clause more accurately, not that ( I do not say that ) I have already obtained. The verb is not the same with that translated "attain" in Philippians 3:11 ; it means to get, to win a prize, as in 1 Corinthians 9:24 . The tense is aorist: "I say not that I did at once win the prize;" that is, at the time of his conversion. Compare the tenses used in 1 Corinthians 9:8 , "I suffered the loss... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:12-14

The apostle's confession of his imperfection and his method of Christian progress. There is a touching and instructive humility in the language of these verses. I. HIS CONFESSION OF IMPERFECTION . "Not as though I had already attained or have been made perfect;" and again," I count not myself to have apprehended." 1 . This argues a high estimate of a Christian ' s duty. There is no inconsistency in the consciousness of hidden imperfection and the thought of a lofty... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:12-14

Moral onwardness. The Grecian racecourse was well known to Paul and to all his readers, and hence he often uses it as a figure to illustrate the Christian life. The subject is spiritual advancement, onwardness in Divine excellence. The words suggest that this progress implies three things. I. A CONSCIOUS DISSATISFACTION WITH THE PRESENT . By this I mean, not dissatisfaction with the events and circumstances of life—Divine providences—this would be foolish and impious, but... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:12-14

The Christian race: conditions of victory. 1 . The recognition that we are not yet conquerors, and that every effort on our part is necessary if we would secure the prize. 2 . The knowledge that we are not running the race in our own strength, but that. we are seeking to seize upon a victory already designed for us. When we realize that Christ has grasped us we know that we are being upheld by him, and our confidence of final victory is no longer in ourselves, but in him. 3 . The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:12-16

St. Paul's humility. I. HE HAS NOT YET ATTAINED ; HE IS NOT PERFECT . 1 . The most advanced Christian is always the humblest. The nearer we draw to Christ, the more we feel our own unworthiness. The light of Christ's holiness, manifested in the hearts of his saints, brings out into clearer light the exceeding sinfulness of sin. 2 . But he is striving after perfection. The Christian knows his own weakness and sin, but he knows also that he is really following... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:12-16

The river of forgetfulness. Paul has sketched in the preceding verses what we may call his spiritual programme. Much of the attainment lies before him still, so much, in fact, that he lives in the future instead of in the past. His life is a race towards a goal. Now, just as in a race the runner forgets the ground gone over in his occupation with the remainder and the goal, so, in the spiritual life, there is a forgetfulness essential to progress. There is a river of Lethe in the city of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:13

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended ; rather, perhaps, I reckon. Two of the best manuscripts read "not yet" ( οὔπω ). The pronouns are emphatic: whatever others may think of me or of themselves, "I reckon not myself to have apprehended.'' But this one thing . The ellipse here is forcible; some supply "I reckon;" others, "I say;" others, as A.V., "I do," which seems best suited to the context. I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:10

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:10-11

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:11

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:12

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:12-14

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:12-14

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:12-14

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:12-16

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:12-16

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:13

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