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

11so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead! 12I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. 15Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you.

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 3:8Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ
• Philippians 1:18But that doesn’t matter. Whether their motives are false or genuine, the message about Christ is being preached either way, so I rejoice. And I will continue to rejoice.
• Philippians 4:11Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have.
• Psalms 27:4The one thing I ask of the Lord— the thing I seek most— is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his Temple.
• Luke 10:42There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”
• 2 Peter 3:8But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day.
• Psalms 45:10Listen to me, O royal daughter; take to heart what I say. Forget your people and your family far away.
• Luke 9:62But Jesus told him, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.”
• 2 Corinthians 5:16So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now!
• Hebrews 6:1So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God.
• Philippians 2:12Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear.
• Romans 15:23But now I have finished my work in these regions, and after all these long years of waiting, I am eager to visit you.
• 1 Corinthians 9:24Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!
• Hebrews 12:1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before 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