Philippians 3:11 - Exposition

If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead . The apostle uses the language of humble expectation. For the particles, "if by any means" ( εἴ πως ), comp. Acts 27:12 ; Romans 1:10 ; Romans 11:14 . The verb "attain" means to arrive at the end of a journey; it presents the figure of a pilgrimage. Read, with R.V. and the best manuscripts, the resurrection from the dead. This phrase (used also in Luke 20:35 and Acts 4:2 ) means the resurrection of the blessed dead. This meaning is strengthened here by the repetition of the preposition with the word "resurrection" ( ἐξανάστασις ) . The general resurrection is always called the resurrection of the dead.