Philippians 3:12,Philippians 3:14

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Philippians 3:9-14

We now heard what the apostle renounced; let us now see what he laid hold on, and resolved to cleave to, namely, Christ and heaven. He had his heart on these two great peculiarities of the Christian religion. I. The apostle had his heart upon Christ as his righteousness. This is illustrated in several instances. 1. He desired to win Christ; and an unspeakable gainer he would reckon himself if he had but an interest in Christ and his righteousness, and if Christ became his Lord and his Saviour:... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Philippians 3:12-16

3:12-16 Not that I have already obtained this, or that I am already all complete but I press on to try to grasp that for which I have been grasped by Jesus Christ. Brothers, I do not count myself to have obtained; but this one thing I do--forgetting the things which are behind, and reaching out for the things which are in front, I press on towards the goal, in order that I may win the prize which God's upward calling in Christ Jesus is offering to me. Let all of you who have graduated... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Philippians 3:12

Not as though I had already attained ,.... Or "received"; he had received much grace out of the fulness of it in Christ; he had received the gift of righteousness, the forgiveness of his sins, and the adoption of children; he had attained to a lively hope of the incorruptible inheritance, and had received a right unto it, and had a meetness for it; but as yet he had not received the thing itself, nor was he come to the end of his race, and so had not received the crown of righteousness laid... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 3:12

Not as though I had already attained - Ουχ ὁτι ηδη ελαβον· 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 perfect - Η... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 3:12

Verse 12 12Not as though I had already apprehended Paul insists upon this, that he may convince the Philippians that he thinks of nothing but Christ — knows nothing else — desires nothing else — is occupied with no other subject of meditation. In connection with this, there is much weight in what he now adds — that he himself, while he had given up all hinderances, had nevertheless not attained that object of aim, and that, on this account, he always aimed and eagerly aspired at something... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:1-16

The true circumcision. Contemplated close of the Epistle. "Finally my brethren, rejoice in the Lord." It would seem that, at this point, the apostle contemplated bringing the Epistle to a close. He intimates that, in addition to what he has already said, he has only this further to say. He falls back on what has already been noticed as the key-note of the Epistle. Addressing them as his brethren, he calls upon them to rejoice in the Lord. He recognized no joy but what was in the Lord. We... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:12

Not as though I had already. attained, either were already perfect ; the R.V. renders this clause more accurately, not that ( I do not say that ) I have already obtained. The verb is not the same with that translated "attain" in Philippians 3:11 ; it means to get, to win a prize, as in 1 Corinthians 9:24 . The tense is aorist: "I say not that I did at once win the prize;" that is, at the time of his conversion. Compare the tenses used in 1 Corinthians 9:8 , "I suffered the loss... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:12-14

The apostle's confession of his imperfection and his method of Christian progress. There is a touching and instructive humility in the language of these verses. I. HIS CONFESSION OF IMPERFECTION . "Not as though I had already attained or have been made perfect;" and again," I count not myself to have apprehended." 1 . This argues a high estimate of a Christian ' s duty. There is no inconsistency in the consciousness of hidden imperfection and the thought of a lofty... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:12-14

Moral onwardness. The Grecian racecourse was well known to Paul and to all his readers, and hence he often uses it as a figure to illustrate the Christian life. The subject is spiritual advancement, onwardness in Divine excellence. The words suggest that this progress implies three things. I. A CONSCIOUS DISSATISFACTION WITH THE PRESENT . By this I mean, not dissatisfaction with the events and circumstances of life—Divine providences—this would be foolish and impious, but... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:12-14

The Christian race: conditions of victory. 1 . The recognition that we are not yet conquerors, and that every effort on our part is necessary if we would secure the prize. 2 . The knowledge that we are not running the race in our own strength, but that. we are seeking to seize upon a victory already designed for us. When we realize that Christ has grasped us we know that we are being upheld by him, and our confidence of final victory is no longer in ourselves, but in him. 3 . The... read more

Philippians 3:12,philippians 3:14

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Philippians 3:9-14

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Philippians 3:12-16

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Philippians 3:12

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 3:12

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 3:12

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:1-16

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:12

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:12-14

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:12-14

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:12-14

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