Philippians 3:12
Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Paul isn't just saying he hasn't reached the goal yet; he's emphasizing that the very reason he's pursuing it is because Christ seized him first. This means our striving isn't just about self-effort, but a response to God's prior, powerful initiative in our lives.
Paul is speaking about his intense pursuit of spiritual maturity and the ultimate prize of knowing Christ more fully. He contrasts his ongoing effort with the idea that he has already achieved perfection or received the final reward, emphasizing that the Christian life is a continuous journey, not a destination already reached. This sets up his assertion that his striving is rooted in Christ's own action of "apprehending" him, meaning Christ claimed him first.
Paul, a towering figure of faith, declares he hasn't 'already obtained' or is 'already perfect.' What does this mean for our own spiritual journey?
Paul uses the imagery of an athletic race, something the Philippians would have deeply understood.
The Prize of the Race
He's not talking about just any prize. The ultimate goal he's striving for is a deep, all-encompassing knowledge of Christ, experiencing the power of His resurrection, sharing in His sufferings, and being molded into His very likeness. This isn't a minor upgrade; it's the ultimate transformation.
Not Yet Crowned
When Paul says he hasn't 'attained' or is 'perfected,' he's not saying he's a failure or that his faith is insufficient. Instead, he's admitting that the race isn't over. He hasn't yet reached the finish line where the ultimate prize is awarded. There's still a journey, a pursuit, and a hope yet to be fully realized.
Paul's relentless pursuit isn't just fueled by his own will. It's deeply rooted in a powerful, life-changing encounter.
The core of Paul's motivation is found in the second half of the verse: 'because Christ Jesus has made me his own.' This isn't just a casual acquaintance; it's a profound, life-altering possession.
Apprehended by Christ
Paul uses the same word for 'apprehended' here as he does for his own 'pressing on.' This means that just as he is actively reaching out to grasp the prize, he was also powerfully grasped by Christ. His conversion wasn't something he initiated; he was arrested, seized by Christ's love and purpose.
The Foundation of Effort
This divine seizure is the very reason he can continue to press on. Knowing that Christ took hold of him, claimed him, and set him on this path gives him the confidence and the impetus to keep running. His efforts are a response to Christ's initiative, not an attempt to earn something that's out of reach.
Understand the original words
teleios · Greek Adjective
A state of being brought to the intended end or goal of spiritual development; in this context, it refers to the final state of glorification, not moral sinlessness in the present life.
diōkō · Greek Verb
To exert intense effort toward a specific objective; a metaphor often used for athletic competition to describe the diligent pursuit of Christlikeness.
Paul wrote Philippians while imprisoned in Rome, likely around AD 60-62. His reflections on the Christian life as a race, as seen in chapter 3, are deeply colored by his own dramatic conversion experience and his understanding of the ongoing spiritual journey he and the Philippian believers were on.
c. AD 33-36— this verse
Paul's Conversion on the Road to Damascus
Saul of Tarsus, a fervent persecutor of Christians, has a dramatic encounter with the resurrected Jesus on the road to Damascus. This event completely transforms his life and mission.
c. AD 48-49
Council of Jerusalem
A pivotal meeting where apostles and elders debated the requirements for Gentile believers, affirming that salvation comes through faith in Christ, not adherence to Mosaic Law.
c. AD 50-52
Paul's Ministry in Corinth
Paul spends an extended period in Corinth, a major Roman city, establishing a church and facing opposition. This challenging ministry likely informed his understanding of perseverance.
c. AD 60-62
Paul's Imprisonment in Rome
While under house arrest in Rome, Paul writes letters, including Philippians, to churches he had founded. He reflects on his life's journey and the nature of Christian growth.
This passage echoes the sentiment that God works all things for the good of those called according to His purpose, reflecting the idea that Christ's apprehension of us is for a divine purpose and future good.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27This passage directly uses the metaphor of an athletic race to describe the Christian life, mirroring Paul's language in Philippians 3 about pressing on to win a prize and not being content with past achievements.
Hebrews 12:1-2This passage also speaks of a race, encouraging believers to run with perseverance, looking to Jesus, the 'pioneer and perfecter of our faith,' who endured the cross. This connects to Paul's pursuit of perfection and the ultimate goal set before him.
Colossians 1:28Here, Paul speaks of presenting everyone mature in Christ, indicating that his own striving (as seen in Philippians 3) is part of a larger work of bringing others to spiritual maturity, reflecting Christ's purpose in apprehending believers.
Acts 26:16-18This passage recounts Paul's conversion experience, where Jesus explicitly states His purpose in apprehending Paul: to appoint him as a minister and witness, for the forgiveness of sins and inheritance among those sanctified. This directly illuminates what Christ apprehended Paul for.
barnesPhilippians 3:12: "Not 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."
Not as though I had already attained - This verse and the two following are full of allusions to the Grecian races. "The word rendered 'attained' signifies, to have arrived at the goal and won the prize, but without having as yet received it" - The Pictorial Bible. The meaning here is, I do not pretend to have at…
meyerPhilippians 3:12: "Not 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."
Php 3:12 . Οὐχ ὅτι ] By this I do not mean to say that , etc. See on 2 Corinthians 1:24 ; 2 Corinthians 3:5 ; John 6:46 . Aken, Lehre v. Temp. u. Mod . p. 91 ff. He might encounter such a misconception on the part of his opponents; but “in summo fervore sobrietatem spiritualem non dimittit apostolus,” Bengel. ἤδη…
Paul isn't just saying he hasn't reached the goal yet; he's emphasizing that the very reason he's pursuing it is because Christ seized him first. This means our striving isn't just about self-effort, but a response to God's prior, powerful initiative in our lives.
Paul is speaking about his intense pursuit of spiritual maturity and the ultimate prize of knowing Christ more fully. He contrasts his ongoing effort with the idea that he has already achieved perfection or received the final reward, emphasizing that the Christian life is a continuous journey, not a destination already reached. This sets up his assertion that his striving is rooted in Christ's own action of "apprehending" him, meaning Christ claimed him first.
Paul is speaking about his intense pursuit of spiritual maturity and the ultimate prize of knowing Christ more fully. He contrasts his ongoing effort with the idea that he has already achieved perfection or received the final reward, emphasizing that the Christian life is a continuous journey, not a destination already reached. This sets up his assertion that his striving is rooted in Christ's own action of "apprehending" him, meaning Christ claimed him first.
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"Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own." — Paul isn't just saying he hasn't reached the goal yet; he's emphasizing that the very reason he's pursuing it is because Christ seized him first. This means our striving isn't just about self-e…
