Paragraph 3:12–16

Paul wanted the Philippians to have the same attitude as he did, the attitude he had as he earnestly tried to become all that God wanted him to be.

3:12a

Not that I have already obtained all this: This phrase means “I do not mean that I have already done all these things.”

obtained: In this context the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as obtained means to achieve something or to accomplish something.

all this: In the Greek text there is no object for the verb “to obtain.” That is, Paul does not say explicitly what he wanted to obtain. However, in many languages including English it is necessary either to supply an object or to use a verb which does not require an object. So the Berean Standard Bible has used all this as object, whereas the Good News Translation has used the verb “succeed” which in English does not need an object:

I do not claim that I have already succeeded. (Good News Translation)

There are several possible ways to understand what Paul wanted to obtain.

(1) It refers to all the things about which Paul had been talking in 3:9–11. (Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, New Living Translation (2004))

(2) It refers specifically to the words “know Christ” in 3:10. Paul did not yet know Christ as fully as he wanted to.

(3) It refers back to “the resurrection from the dead” in 3:11.

(4) It refers to the perfection Paul mentioned in 3:12b. (NET Bible, New Century Version)

Interpretation (1) is recommended. Paul was thinking about his life’s goal of knowing Christ and all that was involved in becoming like him.

One way you could translate 3:12a is:

I am not implying/saying that I have already achieved/accomplished all this.

3:12b

or have already been made perfect: The Greek word teleios that the Berean Standard Bible translates as perfect could have one of two meanings in this context:

(1) Paul had not yet become a perfect person. God’s work in him was not yet finished. He was not yet completely righteous. (Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New International Version, Good News Translation, NET Bible, Revised English Bible, New Living Translation (2004), Contemporary English Version, New Century Version)

(2) Paul had not yet reached the goal that he talked about in 3:14. (New Jerusalem Bible, God’s Word, New Revised Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

3:12c

but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me: Paul was trying very hard to become more and more like Christ, because that is Christ’s purpose in choosing him.

press on: The Greek word here literally means “run after” or “go after” in the sense of pursuing something. Paul was using a metaphor here to say that he was trying hard to be like Christ, just as a runner tries hard to win a race and get the prize.

take hold of: This is from the same Greek root word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as “obtained” in 3:12a. The form here means “to get something for yourself.”

that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me: There are two ways to understand the Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as that for which :

(1) It has its literal meaning “for which.” 3:12c can then be stated as Christ took hold of Paul in order that Paul would know him and become like him, as is discussed in 3:9–11. (Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Good News Translation, NET Bible, New American Standard Bible, King James Version, New Jerusalem Bible, Revised English Bible, God’s Word, New Living Translation (2004))

(2) It has an idiomatic meaning “because.” It gives the reason why Paul was pressing on, and it means “because Christ Jesus took hold of me”. This interpretation requires that an object be supplied after “I press on to take hold of…,” such as “the goal.” (Revised Standard Version, New Revised Standard Version, Contemporary English Version, New Century Version)

It is recommended that you follow the first interpretation (1).

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