10 I want to know(A) Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings,(B) becoming like him in his death,(C) 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection(D) from the dead.

12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal,(E) but I press on to take hold(F) of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.(G) 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(H) and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on(I) toward the goal to win the prize(J) for which God has called(K) me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Following Paul’s Example

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

17 Join together in following my example,(O) brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.(P)

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10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

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10 I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, 11 so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!

Pressing toward the Goal

12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it,[a] but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

15 Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you. 16 But we must hold on to the progress we have already made.

17 Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example.

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Footnotes

  1. 3:13 Some manuscripts read not yet achieved it.