Font Size
Philippians 3:12-16
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Philippians 3:12-16
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
12 (A)It is not that I have already taken hold of it or have already attained perfect maturity,[a] 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.(B) 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.[b]
Wrong Conduct and Our Goal.[c]
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 3:12 Attained perfect maturity: possibly an echo of the concept in the mystery religions of being an initiate, admitted to divine secrets.
- 3:16 Some manuscripts add, probably to explain Paul’s cryptic phrase, “thinking alike.”
- 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).
Philippians 3:12-16
New American Standard Bible
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.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 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
English Standard Version
Philippians 3:12-16
English Standard Version
Straining Toward the Goal
12 Not that I have already (A)obtained this or (B)am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: (C)forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for (D)the prize of the upward (E)call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are (F)mature think this way, and if in anything (G)you think otherwise, (H)God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only (I)let us hold true to what we have attained.
Read full chapter
Philippians 3:12-16
New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
Philippians 3:12-16
New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
Pressing toward the Goal
12 Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal;[a] but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Beloved,[b] I do not consider that I have made it my own;[c] but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly[d] call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us then who are mature be of the same mind; and if you think differently about anything, this too God will reveal to you. 16 Only let us hold fast to what we have attained.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Philippians 3:12 Or have already been made perfect
- Philippians 3:13 Gk Brothers
- Philippians 3:13 Other ancient authorities read my own yet
- Philippians 3:14 Gk upward
Philippians 3:12-16
New International Version
Philippians 3:12-16
New International Version
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.
New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE)
Scripture texts, prefaces, introductions, footnotes and cross references used in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC All Rights Reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) 
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
English Standard Version (ESV) 
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)
New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.