Philippians 3:12-14
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Paul is saying he hasn't "arrived" yet, emphasizing that the Christian life isn't about achieving a static perfection. Instead, it's a dynamic pursuit of a goal, driven by the foundational truth that Christ's pursuit of him is the ultimate reason he can pursue anything at all.
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. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is describing his relentless pursuit of Christ and the resurrection life He offers, a pursuit that is not about boasting in his own achievements but about pressing forward. He clarifies that he hasn't yet reached the ultimate goal of spiritual perfection or received the final prize, but he's still striving because Christ Himself apprehended him on the road to Damascus with a divine purpose.
Paul uses vivid imagery of athletic contests, but not to boast about his achievements. He admits he hasn't reached the finish line yet. What does this 'unfinished race' look like for us today?
Paul's language here is deeply rooted in the athletic games popular in the ancient world, particularly foot races. When he says, 'Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect,' he's not downplaying his spiritual progress. Instead, he's using the metaphor of a runner who hasn't yet reached the goal and received the prize.
This isn't about moral perfection in the sense of being sinless (though that's a goal we strive for). It's about the completion of his calling, the full realization of everything Christ has for him, which includes future glory and resurrection. He's still running, still striving towards that ultimate completion.
Paul's intense pursuit isn't just his own initiative. He was first 'apprehended' by Christ. What does it mean to be seized by Christ, and how does that fuel our own pursuit?
The second half of the verse reveals the foundation of Paul's relentless pursuit: 'because Christ Jesus has made me his own.' The word for 'apprehended' here is powerful; it suggests being seized, grasped, or laid hold of.
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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.
skopos · Greek Noun
The objective or finish line toward which the believer directs their life; it represents the ultimate purpose of God for the individual in Christ.
brabeion · Greek Noun
The reward given at the completion of a race; in the Christian life, it refers to the eternal glory and presence of God received at the end of the spiritual journey.
anō klēsis · Greek Noun phrase
The divine invitation that originates from God and draws the believer toward heaven; it is characterized by its high, heavenly nature.
The verse draws heavily on the imagery of ancient Greek athletic games, particularly footraces, which were deeply familiar to the Philippian audience. Paul uses this metaphor to describe the Christian life as a determined pursuit of a heavenly prize, emphasizing that neither he nor any other believer has fully reached the finish line yet.
c. AD 33-36— this verse
Paul's Conversion on the Road to Damascus
Saul of Tarsus, a fervent persecutor of the early Christian church, has a dramatic encounter with the resurrected Jesus on the road to Damascus. This event marks his radical conversion and transformation into the Apostle Paul.
c. AD 48-49
Council of Jerusalem
A significant meeting where apostles and elders debated whether Gentile converts needed to follow Jewish law. The council's decision to not require circumcision for Gentiles profoundly impacted the expansion of Christianity.
c. AD 50-52
Paul's Ministry in Corinth
During his second missionary journey, Paul spent considerable time in Corinth, a major Roman city. It was likely during this period that he wrote his first letter to the Corinthians, addressing various issues within their church.
c. AD 53-56
Paul's Ministry in Ephesus
Paul's third missionary journey included a lengthy stay in Ephesus, a prominent city in Asia Minor. This period saw significant growth of the church there, though also opposition, as recounted in the Book of Acts.
c. AD 57
Writing of 1 Corinthians
Paul writes his first letter to the church in Corinth to address divisions, immorality, and doctrinal disputes. This letter reveals the complex challenges faced by early Christian communities.
c. AD 60-62
Paul's Imprisonment in Rome
Following his arrest in Jerusalem, Paul was imprisoned in Rome for several years. During this time, he wrote letters to various churches, including Philippians, Colossians, Ephesians, and Philemon.
c. AD 62-64
Writing of Philippians
While imprisoned in Rome, Paul penned this letter to the church in Philippi, a community he had a particularly warm relationship with. The letter expresses gratitude, encouragement, and offers profound theological insights amidst suffering.
This passage uses the same imagery of a race where runners strive to win an imperishable prize, directly paralleling Paul's pursuit in Philippians 3:12.
Hebrews 12:1-2This passage encourages believers to run with perseverance the race marked out for them, fixing their eyes on Jesus, who is the pioneer and perfecter of faith, much like Paul presses on toward the goal Christ has set.
Romans 8:29It speaks of God's purpose to conform believers to the image of His Son, which is the ultimate perfection and goal Paul is striving for in Philippians 3:12.
2 Timothy 4:7-8Here, Paul reflects on finishing his course and looking forward to the crown of righteousness, echoing the sense of an ongoing pursuit for a future reward that he expresses in Philippians 3:12.
Galatians 2:20This verse highlights the believer's crucified life with Christ and the indwelling life of Christ within them, which is the foundation for Paul's understanding of being apprehended by Christ and pressing on to know Him more fully.
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 is saying he hasn't "arrived" yet, emphasizing that the Christian life isn't about achieving a static perfection. Instead, it's a dynamic pursuit of a goal, driven by the foundational truth that Christ's pursuit of him is the ultimate reason he can pursue anything at all.
Paul is describing his relentless pursuit of Christ and the resurrection life He offers, a pursuit that is not about boasting in his own achievements but about pressing forward. He clarifies that he hasn't yet reached the ultimate goal of spiritual perfection or received the final prize, but he's still striving because Christ Himself apprehended him on the road to Damascus with a divine purpose.
Paul is describing his relentless pursuit of Christ and the resurrection life He offers, a pursuit that is not about boasting in his own achievements but about pressing forward. He clarifies that he hasn't yet reached the ultimate goal of spiritual perfection or received the final prize, but he's still striving because Christ Himself apprehended him on the road to Damascus with a divine purpose.
"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. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behin…" — Paul is saying he hasn't "arrived" yet, emphasizing that the Christian life isn't about achieving a static perfection. Instead, it's a dynamic pursuit of a goal, driven by the foundational truth that…
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Last reviewed October 2026
