Philippians 3:10
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Paul isn't just hoping for a future reward; he desires a deep, transformative knowledge of Christ that shapes him now. This means experiencing the very power that raised Jesus from the dead to live differently, and embracing the fellowship of Christ’s suffering, not as a burden, but as a way to become more like Him.
that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is passionately pursuing a deeper, experiential knowledge of Christ, contrasting it with the self-righteousness he once relied on. He's just detailed how he considers everything a loss compared to knowing Christ and gaining His righteousness. This verse lays out the specific ways he desires that knowledge: by experiencing the victorious power of Christ's resurrection and by sharing in Christ's sufferings, becoming like Him even in death.
Paul isn't just talking about a historical event. He desires to know the power of Jesus' resurrection in his own life. What does that power look like today?
The Power of the Resurrection
The resurrection of Jesus is not just proof of his divinity or a guarantee of our future life. It's a dynamic, active power that impacts believers now.
This might sound strange – wanting to share in suffering? Paul links it directly to knowing Christ more deeply. What's the connection?
The Privilege of Suffering with Christ
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Paul's desire to share in Christ's sufferings isn't about seeking out pain, but about identifying with Christ in every aspect of His life, including His hardships.
Understand the original words
anastasis · Greek Noun
The life, power, and victory of Jesus over the grave; it is the objective historical event that guarantees the believer's future resurrection and present spiritual transformation.
pathēmata · Greek Noun
Pain, distress, or persecution experienced by believers for the sake of the Gospel; it is seen as a participation in the same trials that Christ endured for the kingdom.
Paul's desire to know Christ, experience His resurrection power, and share His sufferings, even to the point of conforming to His death, reflects a deep understanding forged through his own intense experiences of persecution and hardship for the sake of the gospel.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus
Jesus is crucified in Jerusalem and, according to Christian belief, rises from the dead three days later. This event is the cornerstone of Christian faith and Paul's primary focus in this verse.
c. AD 33-60
Paul's Conversion and Ministry
Saul of Tarsus, a persecutor of Christians, is dramatically converted on the road to Damascus. He becomes the apostle Paul, a fervent missionary who endures numerous sufferings for the gospel.
c. AD 50-62
Paul's Imprisonments and Travels
Paul undertakes extensive missionary journeys, facing intense opposition, beatings, shipwrecks, and imprisonment as documented in the book of Acts and his letters.
c. AD 60-62
Paul's Imprisonment in Rome
Paul is imprisoned in Rome, likely under house arrest, where he writes letters to churches like Philippi. This period of suffering allows for deep reflection on his faith and ministry.
This passage echoes the idea of being 'made conformable unto his death' by speaking of believers being baptized into Christ's death and raised to walk in newness of life, mirroring Christ's own resurrection.
2 Corinthians 4:10-11Paul speaks of always carrying 'in the body the death of Jesus, that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies,' directly connecting present sufferings with Christ's death and the manifestation of His life.
Galatians 2:20Here Paul declares 'I have been crucified with Christ,' a profound statement of identification with Christ's death and suffering, which then allows Christ to live in him.
Romans 8:17This verse speaks of suffering with Christ, highlighting that if we are His children, we will also share in His suffering, which leads to future glory.
1 Peter 4:13Peter encourages believers to 'rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings,' aligning suffering for Christ with future joy and the revelation of His glory.
vincentPhilippians 3:10: "That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;"
That I may know Him (τοῦ γνῶναι αὐτὸν)Know is taken up from knowledge, Philippians 3:8, and is joined with be found in Him, qualified by not having, etc. That I may be found in Him not having, etc., but having the righteousness which is of God so as to know him, etc.The power of His resurrection (τὴν δύναμιν τῆς ἀναστάσεως αὐτοῦ)Powe…
barnesPhilippians 3:10: "That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;"
That I may know him - That I may be fully acquainted with his nature, his character, his work, and with the salvation which he has worked out. It is one of the highest objects of desire in the mind of the Christian to know Christ; see the notes at Ephesians 3:19 . And the power of his resurrection - That is, that I may understand and experience…
Paul isn't just hoping for a future reward; he desires a deep, transformative knowledge of Christ that shapes him now. This means experiencing the very power that raised Jesus from the dead to live differently, and embracing the fellowship of Christ’s suffering, not as a burden, but as a way to become more like Him.
Paul is passionately pursuing a deeper, experiential knowledge of Christ, contrasting it with the self-righteousness he once relied on. He's just detailed how he considers everything a loss compared to knowing Christ and gaining His righteousness. This verse lays out the specific ways he desires that knowledge: by experiencing the victorious power of Christ's resurrection and by sharing in Christ's sufferings, becoming like Him even in death.
Paul is passionately pursuing a deeper, experiential knowledge of Christ, contrasting it with the self-righteousness he once relied on. He's just detailed how he considers everything a loss compared to knowing Christ and gaining His righteousness. This verse lays out the specific ways he desires that knowledge: by experiencing the victorious power of Christ's resurrection and by sharing in Christ's sufferings, becoming like Him even in death.
"that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death," — Paul isn't just hoping for a future reward; he desires a deep, transformative knowledge of Christ that shapes him now. This means experiencing the very power that raised Jesus from the dead to live…
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Last reviewed October 2026
