Philippians 3:12-16
The Message
Focused on the Goal
12-14 I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.
15-16 So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you’ll see it yet! Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it.
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Philippians 3:12-16
New King James Version
Pressing Toward the Goal
12 Not that I have already (A)attained,[a] or am already (B)perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have [b]apprehended; but one thing I do, (C)forgetting those things which are behind and (D)reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 (E)I press toward the goal for the prize of (F)the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
15 Therefore let us, as many as are (G)mature, (H)have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, (I)God will reveal even this to you. 16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already [c]attained, (J)let us walk (K)by the same [d]rule, let us be of the same mind.
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- Philippians 3:12 obtained it
- Philippians 3:13 laid hold of it
- Philippians 3:16 arrived
- Philippians 3:16 NU omits rule and the rest of v. 16.
Philippians 3:12-16
New American Standard Bible
12 Not that I have already [a](A)grasped it all or have already (B)become perfect, but I press on if I may also (C)take hold of that [b]for which I (D)was even taken hold of by (E)Christ Jesus. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not regard myself as having taken hold of it yet; but one thing I do: (F)forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I (G)press on toward the goal for the prize of the (H)upward call of God in (I)Christ Jesus. 15 Therefore, all who are [c](J)mature, let’s have this attitude; and if in anything you have a (K)different attitude, (L)God will reveal that to you as well; 16 however, let’s keep [d](M)living by that same standard to which we have attained.
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- Philippians 3:12 Or obtained
- Philippians 3:12 Or because also
- Philippians 3:15 Or perfect
- Philippians 3:16 Lit following in line
Philippians 3:12-16
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Reaching Forward to God’s Goal
12 Not that I have already reached the goal or am already fully mature, but I make every effort to take hold(A) of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus. 13 Brothers, I do not[a] consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind(B) and reaching forward to what is ahead, 14 I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly[b] call in Christ Jesus.(C) 15 Therefore, all who are mature should think this way. And if you think differently about anything, God will reveal(D) this also to you. 16 In any case, we should live up to whatever truth we have attained.
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- Philippians 3:13 Other mss read not yet
- Philippians 3:14 Or upward
Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.