Philippians 3:13

Philippians 3:13 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
• New International Version (NIV)Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,
• English Standard Version (ESV)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,
• New King James Version (NKJV)Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,

Context of Philippians 3:13

11and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. 12Not that I have already attained this – that is, I have not already been perfected – but I strive to lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus also laid hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have attained this. Instead I am single-minded: Forgetting the things that are behind and reaching out for the things that are ahead, 14with this goal in mind, I strive toward the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15Therefore let those of us who are “perfect” embrace this point of view. If you think otherwise, God will reveal to you the error of your ways.

Philippians 3:13 word by word

Ἀδελφοί, ἐγὼ ἐμαυτὸν οὐ λογίζομαι κατειληφέναι· ἓν δέ, τὰ μὲν ὀπίσω ἐπιλανθανόμενος, τοῖς δὲ ἔμπροσθεν ἐπεκτεινόμενος,Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Brethrenἀδελφόςadelphos · brotherG80
• Iἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• countλογίζομαιlogizomai · to countG3049
• notοὐou · noG3756
• myselfἐμαυτοῦemautou emautō emauton · myselfG1683
• to have apprehendedκαταλαμβάνωkatalambanō · to graspG2638
• butδέde · thenG1161
• ·μένmen · on the other handG3303
• one thingεἷςheis · oneG1520
• forgettingἐπιλανθάνωepilanthanomai · to forgetG1950
• those things which areὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• behindὀπίσωopisō · afterG3694
• reaching forthἐπεκτείνομαιepekteinomai · to reach out toG1901
• beforeἔμπροσθενemprosthen · beforeG1715

Cross-references for Philippians 3:13

• Philippians 3:8More than that, I now regard all things as liabilities compared to the far greater value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things – indeed, I regard them as dung! – that I may gain Christ,
• Philippians 1:18What is the result? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is being proclaimed, and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice,
• Philippians 4:11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content in any circumstance.
• Psalms 27:4I have asked the Lord for one thing – this is what I desire! I want to live in the Lord’s house all the days of my life, so I can gaze at the splendor of the Lord and contemplate in his temple.
• Luke 10:42but one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the best part; it will not be taken away from her.”
• 2 Peter 3:8Now, dear friends, do not let this one thing escape your notice, that a single day is like a thousand years with the Lord and a thousand years are like a single day.
• Psalms 45:10Listen, O princess! Observe and pay attention! Forget your homeland and your family!
• Luke 9:62Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
• 2 Corinthians 5:16So then from now on we acknowledge no one from an outward human point of view. Even though we have known Christ from such a human point of view, now we do not know him in that way any longer.
• Hebrews 6:1Therefore we must progress beyond the elementary instructions about Christ and move on to maturity, not laying this foundation again: repentance from dead works and faith in God,
• Philippians 2:12So then, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence but even more in my absence, continue working out your salvation with awe and reverence,
• Romans 15:23But now there is nothing more to keep me in these regions, and I have for many years desired to come to you
• 1 Corinthians 9:24Do you not know that all the runners in a stadium compete, but only one receives the prize? So run to win.
• Hebrews 12:1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, we must get rid of every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and run with endurance the race set out for us,

Commentaries on Philippians 3:13

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 13I count not myself to have apprehended - Whatever gifts, graces, or honors I may have received from Jesus Christ, I consider every thing as incomplete till I have finished my course, got this crown, and have my body raised and fashioned after his glorious body. This one thing I do - This is the concern, as it is the sole business, of my life. Forgetting those things which are behind - My conduct is not regulated nor influenced by that of others; I…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 13Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended - That is, to have obtained that for which I have been called into the service of the Redeemer. There is something which I strive after which I have not yet gained. This statement is a confirmation of the opinion that in the previous verse, where he says that he was not “already perfect,” he includes a moral perfection, and not merely the obtainment of the prize or reward; for no one could suppose that he…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. 13-14I press on toward the goal: Paul compares the Christian life to a race. Just as a runner keeps going to reach the finish line, Paul keeps following Christ with hope of the final reward (see study note on 2:16). Paul was ready to give up everything for the ultimate goal, the heavenly prize of eternal life.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1313. I--whatever others count as to themselves. He who counts himself perfect, must deceive himself by calling sin infirmity (1Jo 1:8); at the same time, each must aim at perfection, to be a Christian at all (Mt 5:48). forgetting those things ... behind--Looking back is sure to end in going back (Lu 9:62): So Lot's wife (Lu 17:32). If in stemming a current we cease pulling the oar against it, we are carried back. God's word to us is as it was to Israel…Read the comment

Topics related to Philippians 3:13

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

In the dictionaries

• Belly
• Concision
• Count
• Earthly
• Gain
• God
• Mean
• Press
• Safe
• Sanctification

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