Philippians 3:12

Paul had said that he had not already grasped the intimate knowledge of His Savior that he sought to obtain (Philippians 3:10). He did not want his readers to understand him as saying that his conversion brought him into the intimate personal relationship with Christ that he desired. At conversion his views about what is important in life changed drastically, however. He did not believe he was perfect. There are some Christians who believe that after conversion they do not sin (cf. 1 John 1:6-10).

"The word ’perfect,’ as the Bible uses it of men, does not refer to sinless perfection. Old Testament characters described as ’perfect’ were obviously not sinless (cp. Genesis 6:9; 1 Kings 15:14; 2 Kings 20:3; 1 Chronicles 12:38; Job 1:1; Job 1:8; Psalms 37:37). Although a number of Hebrew and Greek words are translated ’perfect,’ the thought is usually either completeness in all details (Heb. tamam, Gk. katartizo), or to reach a goal or achieve a purpose (Gk. teleioo). Three stages of perfection are revealed: (1) Positional perfection, already possessed by every believer in Christ (Hebrews 10:14). (2) Relative perfection, i.e. spiritual maturity (Philippians 3:15), especially in such aspects as the will of God (Colossians 4:12), love (1 John 4:17-18), holiness (2 Corinthians 7:1), patience (James 1:4), ’every good work’ (Hebrews 13:21). Maturity is achieved progressively, as in 2 Corinthians 7:1, ’perfecting holiness,’ and Galatians 3:3, lit., ’are ye now being made perfect?’ and is accomplished through gifts of ministry bestowed ’for the perfecting of the saints’ (Ephesians 4:12). And (3) ultimate perfection, i.e. perfection in soul, spirit, and body, which Paul denies he has attained (Philippians 3:12) but which will be realized at the time of the resurrection of the dead (Philippians 3:11). For the Christian nothing short of the moral perfection of God is always the absolute standard of conduct, but Scripture recognizes that Christians do not attain sinless perfection in this life (cp. 1 Peter 1:15-16; 1 John 1:8-10)." [Note: The New Scofield . . ., p. 1283.]

Paul realized his responsibility to pursue greater personal experiential knowledge of Christ, intimacy with Christ, conformity to Christ, and holiness. One of the reasons that God has saved us is that we might enjoy fellowship with Christ (John 15; 1 John 1:1-3). Practical sanctification does not come automatically by faith, as justification and glorification do. We must pursue it diligently by following the Lord (Philippians 3:13-15; cf. Galatians 5:16; 2 Peter 1:5-11).

"To know the incomprehensible greatness of Christ demands a lifetime of arduous inquiry." [Note: Hawthorne, p. 151.]

"A divine dissatisfaction is essential for spiritual progress." [Note: Wiersbe, The Bible . . ., 2:89.]