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. 17 Join in imitating me, brothers, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. 18 For I have often told you, and now say again with tears, that many live as enemies of the cross(E) of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction; their god is their stomach; their glory(F) is in their shame. They are focused on earthly things, 20 but our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. 21 He will transform the body of our humble condition into the likeness of His glorious(G) body,(H) by the power that enables Him to subject everything to Himself.

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Footnotes

  1. Philippians 3:13 Other mss read not yet
  2. Philippians 3:14 Or upward

12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal,(A) but I press on to take hold(B) of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.(C) 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind(D) and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on(E) toward the goal to win the prize(F) for which God has called(G) me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Following Paul’s Example

15 All of us, then, who are mature(H) should take such a view of things.(I) And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.(J) 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

17 Join together in following my example,(K) brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.(L) 18 For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears,(M) many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.(N) 19 Their destiny(O) is destruction, their god is their stomach,(P) and their glory is in their shame.(Q) Their mind is set on earthly things.(R) 20 But our citizenship(S) is in heaven.(T) And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,(U) 21 who, by the power(V) that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies(W) so that they will be like his glorious body.(X)

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