Philippians 3 12

Philippians 3:12 kjv

Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:12 nkjv

Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.

Philippians 3:12 niv

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

Philippians 3:12 esv

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.

Philippians 3:12 nlt

I don't mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.

Philippians 3 verses

Philippians 3 12 Meaning

Philippians 3:12 expresses the apostle Paul's deep spiritual paradox: he acknowledges that he has not yet fully attained or perfectly experienced the resurrection life of Christ described in the preceding verses. Instead, he ardently continues to press forward in the Christian race, striving to fully grasp and live out this reality, empowered by the foundational truth that Christ Jesus first apprehended him. This verse reveals Paul's ongoing pursuit of Christ, which is not born of self-effort but is a dedicated response to God's initiating grace.

Philippians 3 12 Context

Philippians chapter 3 is a powerful discourse by Paul where he shares his personal testimony and profound theological insights regarding true righteousness and the Christian goal. The chapter begins with Paul warning against "dogs," "evil workers," and those who mutilate the flesh (v. 2), referring to Judaizers who advocated for circumcision and adherence to the Mosaic Law for salvation. Paul counters their boasts by presenting his own impressive Jewish credentials, which he then dismisses as "rubbish" (σκύβαλα, skubala) compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus (v. 7-8).

In verses 9-11, Paul articulates his new ambition: to be found in Christ, having a righteousness that comes from God through faith, not from the law. His ultimate desire is to know Christ intimately, to experience the power of His resurrection, share in His sufferings, be conformed to His death, and "attain to the resurrection from the dead" (v. 11). This resurrection is not just future physical resuscitation but the full eschatological life in Christ—a present spiritual reality to be fully consummated at His return. Philippians 3:12 directly follows this declaration of his supreme spiritual aspiration, clarifying that while this is his profound desire, it is not yet a fully realized possession or a perfected state in his present earthly life. The verse thus bridges Paul's theological goal with his personal, ongoing experience, laying the groundwork for his call to persistent pursuit in the verses that follow.

Philippians 3 12 Word analysis

• Not that I have already obtained (οὐχ ὅτι ἤδη ἔλαβον, ouch hoti ēdē elabon):
  • οὐχ (ouch): A strong Greek negation. Emphatically states what is not the case.
  • ἤδη (ēdē): Means "already," indicating a state of completion in the past.
  • ἔλαβον (elabon): Aorist active indicative of lambanō, "to take, receive, obtain." It refers to a past, completed action. Paul explicitly denies that he has fully received or apprehended the resurrection power and fellowship of Christ's sufferings he just described in vv. 10-11. This "obtaining" points to the full experience of that union, not merely conversion.
• or am already perfect (ἢ ἤδη τετελείωμαι, ē ēdē teteleiōmai):
  • ἢ (ē): "Or," introducing the second negated possibility.
  • ἤδη (ēdē): Again, "already."
  • τετελείωμαι (teteleiōmai): Perfect passive indicative of teleioō, "to complete, perfect, bring to an end or goal." The perfect tense signifies a completed action with continuing results—a state of perfection achieved and currently possessed. Paul denies reaching a state of final, spiritual completion or moral faultlessness. This "perfection" here means reaching the ultimate spiritual maturity and destiny, implying final glorification, not human sinless perfection.
• but I press on (διώκω δὲ, diōkō de):
  • διώκω (diōkō): Present active indicative, meaning "to pursue, chase, follow after," often with intense effort, like a runner in a race or a hunter. It can even mean "persecute," implying a relentless pursuit. This vividly contrasts with the idea of having already arrived. It speaks of a continuous, determined striving.
  • δὲ (de): "But," introduces a strong contrast and redirection.
• to make it my own (καταλάβω, katalabō):
  • καταλάβω (katalabō): Aorist active subjunctive of katalambanō, "to seize, grasp, apprehend, lay hold of fully." Here it expresses the purpose of Paul's pressing on: to take possession of, to comprehend fully, or to experience entirely the ultimate goal (resurrection life). It suggests a strong, active appropriation.
• because Christ Jesus has made me his own (ἐφ᾽ ᾧ καὶ κατελήφθην ὑπὸ Χριστοῦ [Ἰησοῦ], eph' hō kai katelēphthēn hypo Christou [Iēsou]):
  • ἐφ᾽ ᾧ (eph' hō): Literally "on which" or "because of which," marking the ground or reason. It clarifies that Paul's striving is a consequence and response to something already accomplished.
  • κατελήφθην (katelēphthēn): Aorist passive indicative of katalambanō. This is the same verb used for Paul's active striving ("make it my own") but here it is in the passive voice and perfect tense, "I was seized/apprehended/laid hold of." It marks a completed action in the past where Christ was the agent and Paul was the recipient. This points definitively to Paul's conversion experience on the Damascus Road (Acts 9) and God's initiating act of grace in salvation.
  • ὑπὸ Χριστοῦ [Ἰησοῦ] (hypo Christou [Iēsou]): "By Christ Jesus," clearly identifying the agent of Paul's apprehension.

• "Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect": This phrase functions as an immediate and humble self-correction to prevent misunderstanding. Paul has just spoken of an incredibly high spiritual aspiration (to attain resurrection from the dead), and he wants to clarify that he has not yet fully realized this ultimate state of glorification or spiritual completion. It reflects a "now and not yet" theology inherent in Christian eschatology—salvation is secure, but its full manifestation awaits.
• "but I press on to make it my own": This signifies an intense, focused, and continuous effort. It underscores the active role of the believer in pursuing spiritual growth and the final hope, rejecting complacency or spiritual passivity. Paul is not speaking of achieving salvation by works, but of strenuously running the race after salvation, towards the prize.
• "because Christ Jesus has made me his own": This is the theological foundation and motivation for Paul's zealous pursuit. His active striving (διώκω, diōkō) is not an independent work to earn something, but a grateful, energetic response to being already apprehended by Christ (κατελήφθην, katelēphthēn). It reverses the perspective: Paul pursues because he was first pursued and captured by Christ. Grace is the initiator, empowering all subsequent effort. This crucial reversal highlights God's sovereignty and initiative in salvation.

Philippians 3 12 Bonus section

The chiastic structure implicitly present in Philippians 3:12 (active "I make it my own" followed by passive "Christ made me his own") is a significant rhetorical and theological device. It mirrors Paul's personal experience—his past zealous persecution (a form of diōkō) being ironically paralleled by his present zealous pursuit of Christ, which was ignited when Christ Himself "pursued" and apprehended him on the Damascus Road. This highlights a fundamental theological shift from self-righteous striving to grace-empowered living. Paul's language throughout Philippians 3, particularly the use of athletic metaphors (the race, the prize, pressing on), was readily understood by the Hellenistic audience in Philippi, a city that often hosted athletic contests. This vivid imagery helps communicate the intense focus, discipline, and sustained effort required in the Christian life, distinct from passive religiosity. The term "perfect" (τετελείωμαι, teteleiōmai) should also be understood within the broader context of biblical eschatology, often referring to the ultimate state of glorification and resurrection, rather than mere ethical flawlessness achievable in this mortal body. This emphasizes the tension of the "already but not yet" that characterizes the Christian's experience of salvation.

Philippians 3 12 Commentary

Philippians 3:12 presents a foundational truth of the Christian life: salvation is a finished work of grace, yet sanctification is an ongoing process of strenuous effort. Paul, despite his profound apostleship and deep spiritual experience, disavows any notion of having achieved a static, final state of spiritual perfection or ultimate spiritual prize in this life. His "not yet" declaration serves as a corrective to any complacent or perfectionistic tendencies that might arise, both within himself and among the Philippian believers.

The heart of the verse lies in the dynamic tension between divine initiative and human response. Paul's earnest, relentless pursuit (I press on / diōkō) towards grasping the fullness of the resurrection life is directly fueled by the reality that Christ Jesus has already apprehended him. This "apprehension" by Christ refers to the decisive, sovereign act of God that saved Paul, drawing him into an unshakeable relationship with Christ. It speaks of divine election and calling, making salvation ultimately God's work, not man's. Therefore, Paul's active striving is not a means to earn salvation, but a passionate and grateful outworking of the salvation he has already received by grace. It's a journey of becoming what God has already declared him to be—a journey marked by perseverance and commitment to grow into the fullness of Christ, ever looking forward to final glorification.

Practically, this verse reminds believers that spiritual growth is a lifelong endeavor, requiring intentionality and sustained effort, yet this effort is empowered and motivated by the certainty of Christ's prior claim on us. It guards against both the error of believing one has "arrived" (perfectionism) and the error of passive resignation.

• For encouragement: Even the greatest apostles like Paul acknowledge their continued need to strive, offering hope that the journey is continuous for all.
• For warning: It cautions against spiritual complacency and resting on past spiritual experiences.
• For motivation: It frames our effort as a joyful response to God's love, not a burdensome obligation to earn His favor.