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10 to know him and the power of his resurrection and [the] sharing of his sufferings by being conformed to his death,(A) 11 if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead.(B)

Forward in Christ.[a] 12 (C)It is not that I have already taken hold of it or have already attained perfect maturity,[b] but I continue my pursuit in hope that I may possess it, since I have indeed been taken possession of by Christ [Jesus]. 13 Brothers, I for my part do not consider myself to have taken possession. Just one thing: forgetting what lies behind but straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I continue my pursuit toward the goal, the prize of God’s upward calling, in Christ Jesus.(D) 15 Let us, then, who are “perfectly mature” adopt this attitude. And if you have a different attitude, this too God will reveal to you. 16 Only, with regard to what we have attained, continue on the same course.[c]

Wrong Conduct and Our Goal.[d]

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Footnotes

  1. 3:12–16 To be taken possession of by Christ does not mean that one has already arrived at perfect spiritual maturity. Paul and the Philippians instead press on, trusting in God.
  2. 3:12 Attained perfect maturity: possibly an echo of the concept in the mystery religions of being an initiate, admitted to divine secrets.
  3. 3:16 Some manuscripts add, probably to explain Paul’s cryptic phrase, “thinking alike.”
  4. 3:17–21 Paul and those who live a life centered in Christ, envisaging both his suffering and resurrection, provide a model that is the opposite of opponents who reject Christ’s cross (cf. 1 Cor 1:23).