1. Context (BKC)
Exhortations for Living the Christian Life (3:1–21)
In chapter 1 Paul encouraged the saints at Philippi to go on living the Christian life. In chapter 2 Paul set forth Timothy, Epaphroditus, and himself as examples of how to please God. Exhortations necessary for those who would lead such a life followed in chapter 3.
A. Believers are to have no confidence in the flesh (3:1–14).
1. THE EXAMPLE TO BE AVOIDED (3:2–3)
2. THE EXAMPLE TO BE FOLLOWED (3:4–14)
v.4-6 there was a time when the apostle had confidence in the flesh
v.7-9 About his crisis conversion experience on the road to Damascus
v.10-11 Paul already knew Christ as his Savior. But he wanted to know Him more intimately as his Lord (to experience the power of His resurrection, to share in the fellowship of Christ’s sufferings), then he may becoming like Him in his death and finally to attain to the resurrection.
2. The attitude of goal-pursuing
R.W. not attained (aorist), not perfect (perfect), but lay hold (present), not consider (present) to have attained (prefect), forgetting...reaching out (present participles), I strive toward (present) the goal
A. lay hold-BDAG to make someth. one’s own, win, attain
but I strive to lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus also laid hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have attained this.
(EBC) Paul understands clearly that he has a continuing responsibility to pursue the purposes Christ had chosen him for...Paul did not regard himself as having obtained the final knowledge of Christ and the fullest conformity to him
B. Forgetting (BDAG)in the sense disregard, put out of mind; (EBC) a conscious refusal to let them absorb his attention and impede his progress
the past (BDAG) in imagery, of a footrace: the part of the course already covered
(BKC) Paul refused to be controlled or absorbed by his past heritage (vv. 5–7) or his attainments (v. 8).
3. Perfect (NET)
The adjective perfect comes from the same root as the verb perfected in v. 12; Paul may well be employing a wordplay to draw in his opponents... Paul would then argue that no one—neither they nor he—is in fact perfect. The thrust of vv. 1–16 is that human credentials can produce nothing that is pleasing to God (vv. 1–8). Instead of relying on such, Paul urges his readers to trust God for their righteousness (v. 9) rather than their own efforts, and at the same time to press on for the prize that awaits them (vv. 12–14). He argues further that perfection is unattainable in this life (v. 15), yet the level of maturity that one has reached should not for this reason be abandoned (v. 16).
Conclusion and reflection: It is time for us to do what God wanted us to do and what others has already set an example for us. We need to understand that it is a long way to go and the goals are set for us by God. Attitude is important. To know that we are not there, and therefore we need to put effort to go forward to make it. Single minded, goal pursuing, refuse to be absorbed by past attainments.
Am I proud and have the nothing-else-to-improve attitude? Have I ever considered what God has attained for me in JC? Have I experienced Christ in His resurrection power, and in His sufferings?
What effort do I put in going forward? How far away am I from the attitude of single-minded, goal pursuing, refuse to be absorbed by past attainment?
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