Philippians 3:12

Philippians 3:12 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)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.
• New International Version (NIV)Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
• English Standard Version (ESV)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.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.

Context of Philippians 3:12

10And this, so that I may know Him [experientially, becoming more thoroughly acquainted with Him, understanding the remarkable wonders of His Person more completely] and [in that same way experience] the power of His resurrection [which overflows and is active in believers], and [that I may share] the fellowship of His sufferings, by being continually conformed [inwardly into His likeness even] to His death [dying as He did]; 11so that I may attain to the resurrection [that will raise me] from the dead. Not that I have already obtained it [this goal of being Christlike] or have already been made perfect, but I actively press on so that I may take hold of that [perfection] for which Christ Jesus took hold of me and made me His own. 13Brothers and sisters, I do not consider that I have made it my own yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the [heavenly] prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:12 word by word

οὐχ ὅτι ἤδη ἔλαβον ἢ ἤδη τετελείωμαι, διώκω δὲ εἰ καὶ καταλάβω ἐφ᾽ ᾧ καὶ κατελήμφθην ὑπὸ Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ.¶Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Notοὐou · noG3756
• as thoughὅτιhoti · that/since: sinceG3754
• I hadλαμβάνωlambanō · to takeG2983
• alreadyἤδηēdē · alreadyG2235
• eitherἤē · orG2228
• wereτελειόωteleioō · to perfectG5048
• butδέde · thenG1161
• I follow afterδιώκωdiōkō · to pursueG1377
• ifεἰei · if: even thoughG1487
• thatκαίkai · andG2532
• I may apprehendκαταλαμβάνωkatalambanō · to graspG2638
• that forἐπίepi · upon/to/againstG1909
• whichὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
• ofὑπόhupo · by/under: byG5259
• Christὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• ChristΧριστόςChristos · ChristG5547
• JesusἸησοῦςIēsous · JesusG2424

Cross-references for Philippians 3:12

• Philippians 3:13Brothers and sisters, I do not consider that I have made it my own yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,
• Psalms 119:5Oh, that my ways may be established To observe and keep Your statutes [obediently accepting and honoring them]!
• Romans 7:19For the good that I want to do, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want.
• Galatians 5:17For the sinful nature has its desire which is opposed to the Spirit, and the [desire of the] Spirit opposes the sinful nature; for these [two, the sinful nature and the Spirit] are in direct opposition to each other [continually in conflict], so that you [as believers] do not [always] do whatever [good things] you want to do.
• 1 Timothy 6:12Fight the good fight of the faith [in the conflict with evil]; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and [for which] you made the good confession [of faith] in the presence of many witnesses.
• James 3:2For we all stumble and sin in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says [never saying the wrong thing], he is a perfect man [fully developed in character, without serious flaws], able to bridle his whole body and rein in his entire nature [taming his human faults and weaknesses].
• Job 17:9Nevertheless the righteous will hold to his ways, And he who has clean hands will grow stronger and stronger.
• Psalms 138:8The Lord will accomplish that which concerns me; Your [unwavering] lovingkindness, O Lord, endures forever— Do not abandon the works of Your own hands.
• Proverbs 4:18But the path of the just (righteous) is like the light of dawn, That shines brighter and brighter until [it reaches its full strength and glory in] the perfect day.
• 1 Corinthians 13:10But when that which is complete and perfect comes, that which is incomplete and partial will pass away.
• 2 Corinthians 7:1Therefore, since we have these [great and wonderful] promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, completing holiness [living a consecrated life—a life set apart for God’s purpose] in the fear of God.
• 2 Corinthians 13:9We are glad when we are weak [since God’s power comes freely through us], but you [by comparison] are strong. We also pray for this, that you be made complete [fully restored, growing and maturing in godly character and spirit—pleasing your heavenly Father by the life you live].
• Ephesians 4:12[and He did this] to fully equip and perfect the saints (God’s people) for works of service, to build up the body of Christ [the church];
• Hebrews 12:23and to the general assembly and assembly of the firstborn who are registered [as citizens] in heaven, and to God, who is Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous (the redeemed in heaven) who have been made perfect [bringing them to their final glory],
• Hebrews 13:21equip you with every good thing to carry out His will and strengthen you [making you complete and perfect as you ought to be], accomplishing in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
• 1 Peter 5:10After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace [who imparts His blessing and favor], who called you to His own eternal glory in Christ, will Himself complete, confirm, strengthen, and establish you [making you what you ought to be].

Commentaries on Philippians 3:12

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 12Not as though I had already attained - ̔ · For I have not yet received the prize; I am not glorified, for I have not finished my course; and I have a conflict still to maintain, and the issue will prove whether I should be crowned. From the beginning of the 11th to the end of the 17th verse there is one continued allusion to the contests at the Olympic games; exercises with which, and their laws, the Philippians were well acquainted. Either were already…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 12Not 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 attained to what I wish or hope to be. He had indeed been converted; he had been raised up from the death of sin; he had been imbued with spiritual…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 12-21Verses 12-21 This simple dependence and earnestness of soul, were not mentioned as if the apostle had gained the prize, or were already made perfect in the Saviour's likeness. He forgot the things which were behind, so as not to be content with past labours or present measures of grace. He reached forth, stretched himself forward towards his point; expressions showing great concern to become more and more like unto Christ. He who runs a race, must never…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 12-21Using himself as an example, Paul encourages the Philippians to pursue Christ and the hope of heaven with determination and strength.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1212. Translate, "Not that I," &c. (I do not wish to be understood as saying that, &c.). attained--"obtained," namely, a perfect knowledge of Christ, and of the power of His death, and fellowship of His sufferings, and a conformity to His death. either were already perfect--"or am already perfected," that is, crowned with the garland of victory, my course completed, and perfection absolutely reached. The image is that of a race course throughout. See 1Co…Read the comment

Topics related to Philippians 3:12

• Desire
• Grace of God
• Humility
• Obedience
• Perfection
• Righteousness
• Testimony
• Zeal, Religious

In the dictionaries

• Christ
• Jesus
• Christ, Messiah
• Jesus, Jesus Christ, Christ Jesus
• Christ, Jesus
• Belly
• Concision
• Count
• Earthly
• Gain

Commentaries on Philippians 3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings