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
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