Bible Study Philippians 3: 12-21

 

A Commentary of the Book of Philippians

By Dr. Barry L. Jenkins

Text Used: Legacy Standard Bible

Bible Study Philippians 3: 12-21

Text: 

Pressing On Toward the Goal

12 Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on [a]so that I may lay hold of that [b]for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. 13 Brothers, I do not consider myself as having laid hold of it yet, but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as are [c]perfect, think this way; and if in anything you think differently, God will reveal that also to you. 16 However, let us keep [d]walking in step with the same standard to which we have attained.

17 Brothers, join in following my example, and look for those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. 18 For many walk—of whom I often told you, and now tell you even crying—as enemies of the cross of Christ, 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their stomach and glory is in their shame, who set their thoughts on earthly things. 20 For our [e]citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform [f]the body of our humble state into conformity with [g]the body of His glory, by His working through which He is able to even subject all things to Himself.

Verse by verse commentary

Verse 12: “Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.”

The race towards living a holy life begins with a sense of honesty and dissatisfaction. The Greek word translated “press on” was used for a sprinter, and refers to aggressive, energetic action. Paul pursued holy living with all his might, straining every spiritual muscle to win the prize. . .. “Lay hold” means “to make one’s own possession.” Christ chose Paul for the ultimate purpose of conforming Paul to His glorious image, and that is the very goal Paul pursued to attain. I know several denominations that believe in sinless perfection. They believe that if an hour before they died, they committed a sin, they would go to hell. I can state confidently that these people have never known true salvation. They could not have. Once one has experienced the grace and mercy of God in salvation, you understand this verse. I’m not there yet, but I am one step closer than I was yesterday.

Verse 13: “Brothers, I do not consider myself as having laid hold of it yet, but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,”

Paul had reduced the whole of sanctification to the simple and clear goal of doing “one thing: pursuing Christlikeness. The believer must refuse to rely on past virtuous deeds and achievements in ministry or to dwell on sins and failures. To be distracted by the past debilitates and distracts one’s efforts in the present. This is not complicated. We forget the past efforts, both good and bad, and press forward to be more Christlike every day. That is walking on the “highway of holiness.”

Verse 14: “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Paul is pressing on the “upward call.” He pressed forward toward the goal of life in glory. While salvation is 100% of the Lord, sanctification (becoming more Christlike), was a synergetic process. We cooperate with the Holy Spirit as He works on us to become more like Christ every day. We both are involved in sanctification.

Verse 15: “Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, think this way; and if in anything you think differently, God will reveal that also to you.”

The word “perfect” means mature, not sinless perfection. There are no contradictions in these verses. Verses 13-15 provide instruction in growing in sanctification. Verse 13, you forgot what you have done in the past, both good and evil. Verse 14, press forward means you are expending effort in growing in Christlikeness. Verse 15, Paul is teaching that those that are mature should think this way, and if you don’t, Paul was confident that God the Holy Spirit would instruct the erring one.

Verse 16: “However, let us keep walking in step with the same standard to which we have attained.”

The Greek word translated “walking” refers to following in line. Paul’s directions for the Philippian believers were to stay in line spiritually and keep progressing in sanctification by the same principles that had brought them to this point in their spiritual growth. Sanctification is a daily and ongoing process of increasingly reflecting Christ to those we meet in our day-to-day activities. 

Verse 17: “Brothers, join in following my example, and look for those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.”

Paul’s example is the opposite of what follows in the next two verses. Paul is faithful to the gospel message of the cross. To Paul, the message was always about the Lord Jesus Christ and his mind was set on heavenly things. The next two verses summarize much of the church in the USA, especially the heretical prosperity ministries.

Verses 18-19: “For many walk—of whom I often told you, and now tell you even crying—as enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is their stomach and glory is in their shame, who set their thoughts on earthly things.”

Paul could have been referencing the Judaizers (legalists) or Gnostics (heresy that believed that all physical things including the body were evil and only the spiritual realm good) but notice Paul’s tears. He did not rejoice in their error. The ones in error made their stomach their god. This speaks to me of people that want to use the gospel for financial gain. In our day, this is the majority of the charismatic church. May we have tears in our eyes, not anger, when we speak truth to them.

Verse 20: “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,”

As Philippi was a Roman colony, the church is a colony of heaven. We must always remember that this world is not our home. We are merely passing through. We need to keep this at the forefront of our experiences on earth. One day we will be at home.

Verse 21: “who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by His working through which He is able to even subject all things to Himself.”

The believer’s new body will be like Christ’s after His resurrection and will be redesigned and adapted for heaven. It is Christ who will transform us into a heavenly body. “Subject” refers to arranging things in order of rank or managing something. Christ has the power and authority both to providentially create natural laws and miraculously overrule them. What a mighty God we serve!