Philippians 3:15-16

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:12-16

The river of forgetfulness. Paul has sketched in the preceding verses what we may call his spiritual programme. Much of the attainment lies before him still, so much, in fact, that he lives in the future instead of in the past. His life is a race towards a goal. Now, just as in a race the runner forgets the ground gone over in his occupation with the remainder and the goal, so, in the spiritual life, there is a forgetfulness essential to progress. There is a river of Lethe in the city of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:15

Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded . "Perfect" here means mature, full grown, as opposed to babes or children. The word is so used (in the Greek) in 1 Corinthians 14:20 ; Ephesians 4:13 ; Hebrews 5:14 . "There is a difference," says Bengel, on Hebrews 5:12 , "between the perfect and the perfected: the first are ready for the. race; the last are close upon the prize." St. Paul exhorts all full-grown Christians to imitate his perseverance; like him, to forsake any... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:15

"Otherwise-minded." I. DIVERSITY OF OPINION IS POSSIBLE AMONG GENUINE CHRISTIANS . St. Paul was writing to a Christian Church which he honored with rare commendation for its fidelity and spiritual attainments. Nevertheless, he admitted that some of his readers might not see truth as he saw it. II. WE MUST NOT ATTEMPT TO FORCE OTHERS INTO AGREEMENT WITH OURSELVES . Every honest thinker must believe that his own view is correct, or he would abandon... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:15-16

Practical exhortation to unity in religious life. The apostle gathers up the conclusion to be drawn from the preceding verses. "Therefore let us, as many as be perfect, mind the same thing." I. CONSIDER THE DUTY OF BELIEVERS TO WALK IN THE FULNESS OF PRESENT TRUTH . The saints, who are here described as perfect, including that very apostle who had just said he was not perfect, are to be regarded as perfect in the sense of adultness of understanding. They were... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:15-16

A deficient faith will be accepted and enlightened if it be held in a good conscience. The true law of spiritual progress has been laid down by St. Paul in the foregoing verses. At the same time, there are many who appear to be making such progress without any clear idea of these conditions or any definite grasp of the gospel scheme. How are we to regard such? I. AS NOT FULLY ENLIGHTENED . He who is perfect, i.e. full grown in Christian experience, will realize that the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:15-17

Moral perfection. "Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in anything ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample." Three thoughts are suggested here concerning moral perfections. I. THAT MORAL PERFECTION IS ATTAINABLE IN THIS ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:16

Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing . Omit, with the best manuscripts, the words from "rule" to "thing," and translate, R.V. , only , whereunto we have already attained , by that same ( rule ) let us walk ; or, more literally, only , what we arrived at , by that same walk. Let there be no falling back; let us, at each point in our Christian course, maintain and walk according to that degree of grace at... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Philippians 3:15

Let us therefore, as many as be perfect - see the notes at Philippians 3:12. Or, rather, those who would be perfect; or who are aiming at perfection. It can hardly be supposed that the apostle would address them as already perfect, when he had just said of himself that lie had not attained to that state. But those whom he addressed might be supposed to be aiming at perfection, and he exhorts them, therefore, to have the same spirit that he himself had, and to make the same efforts which he... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Philippians 3:16

Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule - This is a most wise and valuable rule, and a rule that would save much difficulty and contention in the church, if it were honestly applied. The meaning is this, that though there might be different degrees of attainment among Christians, and different views on many subjects, yet there were points in which all could agree; there were attainments which they all had made, and in reference to them they should walk in... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Philippians 3:15-16

Philippians 3:15-16. Let us, as many as are perfect As many as are genuine believers in Christ, thorough Christians, justified and regenerated, new creatures in Christ, and so fit for the Christian race of duty and suffering; be thus minded Minded as I have said that I am, namely, inclined and determined to press forward with zeal and diligence to still higher attainments in holiness, usefulness, and patient sufferings, till as Christ was, they are made in this world. Let us apply wholly... read more

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