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

10that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; 11in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. 13Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14I press on toward the goal for the 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

• Not that I have alreadyἤδηēdē · alreadyG2235
• obtainedλαμβάνωlambanō · to takeG2983
• orἤē · orG2228
• become perfectτελειόωteleioō · to perfectG5048
• but I pressδιώκωdiōkō · to pursueG1377
• soκαίkai · andG2532
• layκαταλαμβάνωkatalambanō · to graspG2638
• for whichὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
• ChristΧριστόςChristos · ChristG5547
• JesusἸησοῦςIēsous · JesusG2424

Cross-references for Philippians 3:12

• Philippians 3:13Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it 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 keep Your statutes!
• Romans 7:19For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want.
• Galatians 5:17For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.
• 1 Timothy 6:12Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
• James 3:2For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well.
• Job 17:9Nevertheless the righteous will hold to his way, And he who has clean hands will grow stronger and stronger.
• Psalms 138:8The Lord will accomplish what concerns me; Your lovingkindness, O Lord, is everlasting; Do not forsake the works of Your hands.
• Proverbs 4:18But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, That shines brighter and brighter until the full day.
• 1 Corinthians 13:10but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away.
• 2 Corinthians 7:1Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
• 2 Corinthians 13:9For we rejoice when we ourselves are weak but you are strong; this we also pray for, that you be made complete.
• Ephesians 4:12for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;
• Hebrews 12:23to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,
• Hebrews 13:21equip you in every good thing to do His will, working 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 called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.

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