Philippians 3 10

Philippians 3:10 kjv

That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

Philippians 3:10 nkjv

that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,

Philippians 3:10 niv

I want to know Christ?yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,

Philippians 3:10 esv

that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,

Philippians 3:10 nlt

I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death,

Philippians 3 verses

Philippians 3 10 Meaning

Philippians 3:10 encapsulates Paul's supreme desire for an all-encompassing, experiential knowledge of Jesus Christ. This "knowing" transcends mere intellectual understanding, reaching into the deepest realms of spiritual participation. It involves a dynamic experience of Christ's resurrection power that animates the believer's new life, a heartfelt communion with Him through sharing in His sufferings, and an ongoing, progressive identification with His death to self and sin. This verse reveals Paul's passion for a complete transformation and union with Christ, where every aspect of Christ's life—victory, sacrifice, and surrender—becomes an integral part of the believer's own journey.

Philippians 3 10 Context

Philippians chapter 3 serves as a pivotal passage where Paul passionately warns the believers against two extreme forms of error: legalism and libertinism. His primary focus, particularly in verses 2-11, is to vigorously counter the "Judaizers" or "dogs," who insisted that Gentile Christians must adhere to Mosaic Law, specifically circumcision, for salvation. Paul contrasts his former confidence in his Jewish lineage and obedience to the Law (v. 4-6) with his profound re-evaluation where he considers all these past accomplishments as "loss" and "rubbish" compared to the "surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus his Lord" (v. 7-8). Verse 10 builds directly upon this renunciation of self-righteousness, detailing the specific, multi-faceted nature of the genuine, Christ-centered knowledge Paul now ceaselessly pursues. This pursuit represents the antithesis of salvation by human effort, grounding salvation and sanctification solely in union with Christ. The Roman colony of Philippi, where many Gentiles worshipped, made it a key battleground for these theological discussions.

Philippians 3 10 Word analysis

• that I may know (γινώσκω - ginōskō): This is not merely intellectual acquaintance with facts about Christ, but a deep, intimate, experiential, and progressive relationship with Him. It implies personal encounter, growing understanding, and participatory identification. This "knowing" is likened to the relational intimacy found in Old Testament expressions of knowing God (e.g., Hos 6:3; Jer 9:24), signifying a transformative union.
• Him: The direct object refers unequivocally to Jesus Christ. Paul's supreme desire is focused on the person of Christ Himself, not merely His teachings, blessings, or attributes in isolation, but communion with His living being.
• and the power (δύναμις - dynamis): Refers to inherent strength, ability, and divine enabling energy. This is not passive power but an active, dynamic force. It's the same omnipotent power of God that raised Christ from the dead (Eph 1:19-20), now actively at work in the believer.
• of His resurrection (τῆς ἀναστάσεως αὐτοῦ - tēs anastaseōs autou): Refers to the central event of Christ's triumph over sin, death, and the grave. The power mentioned is specifically this life-giving, transformative power that empowers believers for a new life, spiritual vitality, victory over sin, and a sure hope of future glorification (Rom 8:11; Col 2:12).
• and the fellowship (κοινωνία - koinōnia): This significant term denotes partnership, participation, communion, and shared experience. It signifies a deep, active involvement and intimate belonging, moving beyond sympathy to an actual sharing in the experience.
• of His sufferings (τῶν παθημάτων αὐτοῦ - tōn pathēmatōn autou): These are Christ's unique sufferings in His life, particularly on the cross. For believers, participation in His sufferings is not atoning (Christ alone atoned), but it means actively sharing in the cost of discipleship, enduring trials and persecutions for the Gospel (2 Cor 1:5; 1 Pet 4:13), denying self, and growing in character as one identifies with a crucified Lord (Rom 8:17; Col 1:24).
• being conformed (συμμορφιζόμενος - symmorphizomenos): This is a present participle, indicating an ongoing, continuous, and progressive process. It means to be shaped into the same form or likeness, transformed from within to outwardly resemble. The goal is complete internal and external alignment with Christ.
• to His death (τῷ θανάτῳ αὐτοῦ - tō thanatō autou): Refers to spiritual identification with Christ's death on the cross, not a literal physical death for the believer. This entails a daily dying to self, to sin, to the old nature, to worldly ambitions, and to the fallen desires of the flesh (Rom 6:6; Gal 2:20; Col 3:5). It represents radical self-denial and spiritual detachment from the present evil age.

• "that I may know Him": This phrase articulates Paul's paramount passion—an ever-deepening, comprehensive, and personal relationship with Christ, which underpins all other spiritual pursuits. It highlights the experiential, intimate, and living nature of saving knowledge.
• "and the power of His resurrection": This connects the deep knowledge of Christ to His active, transformative power in the believer's life. It emphasizes that new life, spiritual enablement, and victory over sin and death flow directly from the resurrected Christ and empower ongoing sanctification.
• "and the fellowship of His sufferings": This element underscores the participatory and costly nature of discipleship. It's an active embracing of suffering for Christ's sake, allowing the believer to deeply identify with Him, share in His mission, and be refined through trials, drawing them into a deeper koinonia with Him.
• "being conformed to His death": This phrase describes the dynamic and ongoing spiritual transformation involving a continuous "dying" to self, sin, and the fleshly desires that oppose God's will. It’s a process of progressively embodying the self-emptying, sacrificial life of Christ in daily existence. Together, these phrases depict a holistic journey where genuine knowing of Christ inextricably involves experiencing His resurrecting power, sharing in His suffering, and conforming to His sacrificial death, leading to profound spiritual union and transformation.

Philippians 3 10 Bonus section

The order of "resurrection power" preceding "fellowship of sufferings" is experientially significant for the believer. It teaches that the dynamis (power) to endure suffering and embrace death to self does not originate within the individual but is supplied by the resurrected life of Christ working in them. The ability to engage in shared suffering and conformity to His death flows from His triumphant life. This demonstrates that Christian suffering is not stoic endurance but supernaturally enabled. Furthermore, this verse highlights the continuous, never-ending nature of "knowing Christ." The verbs indicate an ongoing process, implying that intimacy with Christ is an inexhaustible journey of deeper revelation, growth, and transformation throughout a believer's life. It challenges superficial faith by calling believers into a radical reorientation of their entire existence towards a profound, embodied union with Jesus Christ, whose values now shape every ambition and action. The teleological thrust of Paul's longing here is to ultimately "attain to the resurrection from the dead" (v.11), showcasing the eschatological hope that fuels this present-day, intense spiritual pursuit.

Philippians 3 10 Commentary

Philippians 3:10 encapsulates Paul's ultimate spiritual ambition, detailing a profound, active, and experiential "knowing Christ." This knowledge is not theoretical but transformational, involving deep, personal intimacy. It unfolds in a multi-faceted experience: first, realizing and being empowered by "the power of His resurrection," which vitalizes believers for new life, overcoming sin, and fulfilling divine purpose. Second, entering into "the fellowship of His sufferings," signifying an active participation in Christ's self-denial, enduring tribulation for the Gospel, and growing through hardship in identification with Him. Third, this pursuit culminates in "being conformed to His death," a continual, present-tense process of dying to the old self, worldly desires, and pride, thereby living fully for Christ. This verse portrays a holistic, passionate devotion where spiritual power, shared suffering, and self-denying conformity converge as essential, interwoven paths to authentic and complete union with Christ. It is a radical pursuit that prioritizes Christ above all earthly achievements or personal comfort.