Philippians 3:10-11
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Paul isn't just seeking to know Jesus intellectually; he's yearning for a deep, experiential intimacy with Christ. This includes experiencing the life-transforming power of Jesus' resurrection and, paradoxically, finding union with him through suffering, ultimately being reshaped into his likeness, 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, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is contrasting the false confidence of those who rely on outward religious rituals and achievements with the true, transformative knowledge of Christ he has gained. He has deliberately relinquished all his former credentials, recognizing them as worthless compared to the supreme value of knowing Christ, and he desires to further deepen that relationship. This verse expresses his ultimate spiritual ambition: to intimately know Jesus, to experience the powerful life-altering reality of His resurrection, and to share in His suffering, becoming like Him even in death.
Paul isn't just talking about academic knowledge here. He desires a deep, personal acquaintance with Jesus that transforms everything.
Paul uses the word 'know' (Greek: 'ginosko') to describe a relational, experiential knowledge, not just intellectual facts. He wants to 'know Him' intimately, experiencing His presence and power.
A Deepening Relationship
This isn't a one-time acquisition of facts, but a continuous process. Paul already knew Christ, but he presses on, desiring a richer, more profound understanding.
Beyond Doctrine to Person
This knowledge goes beyond understanding theological truths about Christ. It's about knowing Christ Himself – His character, His heart, His ways – in a deeply personal way.
Paul links the power of Christ's resurrection with sharing in His sufferings. These aren't opposites, but two sides of the same coin in the Christian life.
The Power for New Life
The resurrection of Christ is the ultimate demonstration of God's power. It signifies victory over death and sin, empowering believers to live a new life.
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The Pathway of Suffering
Paul also desires to share in Christ's sufferings. This isn't about seeking pain, but about identifying with Christ in His experience, which often involves hardship for the sake of the gospel.
Paul's ultimate aim is a radical transformation – to be so identified with Christ that his life mirrors Jesus' own.
Conformity to Christ's Death
The phrase 'becoming like him in his death' speaks of a profound imitation. It means dying to self, to worldly desires, and to sin, mirroring Christ's self-sacrifice.
This conformity involves:
The Journey of Transformation
This isn't about earning salvation but about responding to the grace received. It's a lifelong process of being shaped into Christ's likeness, reflecting His character in every aspect of life.
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.
anastasis · Greek Noun
The bodily rising of the dead at the end of the age, anticipated by Christ's resurrection, resulting in a glorified, eternal existence for the believer.
Paul's deep desire to 'know Him' and experience the 'power of His resurrection' is shaped by his personal encounter with the risen Christ and his subsequent suffering for the gospel. This verse speaks to the reality of a life lived in close union with Christ, embracing both His triumphs and His hardships.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus
Jesus Christ is crucified and then resurrected, marking the foundational event of Christianity.
c. AD 30s-50s
Early Church Persecutions
Followers of Christ, including Paul (initially Saul), face persecution from Jewish authorities and Roman powers. Paul himself was a persecutor before his conversion.
c. AD 50s
Paul's Missionary Journeys
Paul undertakes extensive journeys throughout the Roman Empire, establishing churches and facing numerous hardships for the sake of the gospel.
c. AD 60-62
Paul's Imprisonment in Rome
Paul writes the letter to the Philippians while under house arrest in Rome, reflecting on his ministry and encouraging the believers.
This passage beautifully parallels the idea of being 'made conformable unto his death' by explaining how believers are baptized into Christ's death, symbolizing a death to sin and a resurrection to new life.
2 Corinthians 4:10-12This text speaks of always carrying the death of Jesus in the body so that the life of Jesus may be revealed, directly connecting to Paul's desire to share in Christ's sufferings and be conformed to His death.
Galatians 2:20Paul declares 'I have been crucified with Christ,' which echoes the sentiment of Philippians 3:10, highlighting the deep identification with Christ's suffering and death that transforms the believer's life.
Romans 8:17This verse, which states that if we are children of God, we are heirs 'with Christ, if indeed we suffer with him, that we may also be glorified with him,' directly links suffering with Christ to future glory, mirroring Paul's aspiration.
1 Peter 4:12-13Peter encourages believers to not be surprised by fiery trials, but to rejoice because they share in the sufferings of Christ, reinforcing the concept of 'fellowship of his sufferings' as an honorable participation.
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 seeking to know Jesus intellectually; he's yearning for a deep, experiential intimacy with Christ. This includes experiencing the life-transforming power of Jesus' resurrection and, paradoxically, finding union with him through suffering, ultimately being reshaped into his likeness, even in death.
Paul is contrasting the false confidence of those who rely on outward religious rituals and achievements with the true, transformative knowledge of Christ he has gained. He has deliberately relinquished all his former credentials, recognizing them as worthless compared to the supreme value of knowing Christ, and he desires to further deepen that relationship. This verse expresses his ultimate spiritual ambition: to intimately know Jesus, to experience the powerful life-altering reality of His resurrection, and to share in His suffering, becoming like Him even in death.
Paul is contrasting the false confidence of those who rely on outward religious rituals and achievements with the true, transformative knowledge of Christ he has gained. He has deliberately relinquished all his former credentials, recognizing them as worthless compared to the supreme value of knowing Christ, and he desires to further deepen that relationship. This verse expresses his ultimate spiritual ambition: to intimately know Jesus, to experience the powerful life-altering reality of His resurrection, and to share in His suffering, 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, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead." — Paul isn't just seeking to know Jesus intellectually; he's yearning for a deep, experiential intimacy with Christ. This includes experiencing the life-transforming power of Jesus' resurrection and,…
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Last reviewed October 2026
