Philippians 3 13

Philippians 3:13 kjv

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

Philippians 3:13 nkjv

Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,

Philippians 3:13 niv

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,

Philippians 3:13 esv

Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,

Philippians 3:13 nlt

No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,

Philippians 3 verses

Philippians 3 13 Meaning

In Philippians 3:13, the Apostle Paul declares his spiritual state and resolute commitment. He clarifies that despite his fervent desire to fully apprehend Christ and the power of His resurrection, he has not yet arrived at that ultimate spiritual perfection. Instead of dwelling on past achievements or failures, Paul expresses a singular, unwavering focus: to actively "forget" what is behind him and to eagerly "reach forth" or strain towards the future goal, which is the prize of Christ's upward call. This verse captures Paul's humility, his relentless pursuit of Christ-likeness, and his forward-looking spiritual dynamism.

Philippians 3 13 Context

Philippians chapter 3 is a powerful discourse where Paul passionately defends the truth of salvation by faith in Christ alone, warning against those who advocate for circumcision and adherence to the Mosaic Law (Judaizers). Paul himself had impeccable credentials in "the flesh" – a Jew of Jews, a Pharisee, blameless according to the Law (Phil 3:4-6). However, he counts all these as "loss" and "rubbish" (Phil 3:7-8) compared to the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus his Lord.

Leading directly into verse 13, Paul expresses his intense desire to "know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death; if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead" (Phil 3:10-11). He then clarifies in verse 12 that he hasn't already obtained this, nor is he already perfect. Verse 13 immediately follows this confession, reiterating his present position: he hasn't fully apprehended the goal. Thus, the verse serves as a crucial point of humility and resolve in his journey toward complete conformity to Christ, framed against a backdrop of warning against spiritual boasting or false teachers promoting human effort over divine grace. It's a call to dynamic spiritual pursuit rather than complacent self-satisfaction, an analogy common in the Greco-Roman world through athletic competitions like the Isthmian Games.

Philippians 3 13 Word analysis

• Brethren (Ἀδελφοί - Adelphoi): This Greek term signifies a loving, familial address to fellow believers in the Philippian church. It underscores Paul's intimate and caring relationship with the recipients of his letter, emphasizing their shared spiritual family identity and purpose.
• I count not myself (ἐγὼ ἐμαυτὸν οὐ λογίζομαι - egō emauton ou logizomai): A strong, personal, and humble declaration from Paul. "λογίζομαι" (logizomai) means to reckon, calculate, or consider. Paul's deliberate self-assessment rejects any notion of having fully arrived or achieved ultimate spiritual perfection in his present state, emphasizing continuous spiritual need and dependency.
• to have apprehended (κατειληφέναι - kateilēphenai): Derived from "καταλαμβάνω" (katalambanō), meaning to grasp, seize, take possession of, or fully attain. Here, it refers to the complete realization of Christ-likeness and the full experience of the resurrection power and spiritual maturity he mentioned in 3:10-12. It points to the eschatological completion, the "prize," which is still in the future for Paul.
• but this one thing I do (ἕν δέ... - hen de... with implied "ποιῶ" (poiō) from the context): Lit. "but one thing." This highlights Paul's absolute singularity of purpose and unwavering focus. It sets a singular overriding priority for his life, eschewing distraction and fragmentation of effort, akin to a runner with eyes only on the finish line.
• forgetting (ἐπιλανθανόμενος - epilanthanomenos): This active participle implies a deliberate, continuous mental and spiritual act of setting aside or intentionally not dwelling upon. It does not mean a loss of memory, but a conscious decision to relinquish the influence and impact of the past on one's present and future pursuit of Christ. This act of "forgetting" frees him from both the complacency of past successes (like his Jewish pedigree or early Christian accomplishments) and the potential discouragement of past failures (like his persecution of the church).
• those things which are behind (τὰ μὲν ὀπίσω - ta men opisō): Refers to Paul's entire past – whether personal achievements that could lead to pride, or sins and failures that could lead to regret or define his identity. These "things behind" represent any past experiences or identities that might hinder or distract from the present pursuit of Christ.
• and reaching forth (ἐπεκτεινόμενος - epekteinomenos): A vivid and dynamic Greek present participle, depicting continuous, strenuous effort. It means to stretch out, strain forward, or lean forward with eager intensity, like an athlete pushing for the finish line. It conveys a sense of active exertion and immense spiritual drive, moving towards an external objective.
• unto those things which are before (τοῖς δὲ ἔμπροσθεν - tois de emprosthen): These are the things ahead, the future goal. For Paul, this encompasses the ongoing knowledge of Christ, full conformity to His image, and the ultimate resurrection experience, culminating in the "prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (3:14). It represents his Christ-centered future hope and purpose.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended": This phrase establishes a critical point of humility and ongoing aspiration. Paul, an apostle of profound spiritual depth and revelation, firmly denies that he has reached spiritual perfection or the ultimate end goal. This declaration directly challenges any sense of complacency or "arrival" in the Christian life and serves as a model for all believers.
• "but this one thing I do": This powerfully succinct statement defines Paul's singular life's mission. It indicates a focused, non-distracted, and devoted approach to his spiritual journey, emphasizing that despite various activities, there is one overarching, guiding principle.
• "forgetting those things which are behind": This isn't about mental amnesia, but a deliberate act of letting go of the past's hold – whether it's the old identity and self-righteousness, past triumphs, or past sins and failures. It's an act of faith to detach from anything that might impede the forward march towards Christ.
• "and reaching forth unto those things which are before": This vibrant imagery, akin to a runner lunging at the finish line, captures Paul's proactive and energetic pursuit. It speaks of relentless effort, continuous striving, and an eager orientation towards the future spiritual reality in Christ, the ultimate transformation and resurrection life.

Philippians 3 13 Bonus section

Paul's articulation in Philippians 3:13-14 epitomizes the "already but not yet" tension inherent in New Testament eschatology. Believers have already been saved, spiritually resurrected with Christ, and have a foretaste of the kingdom, yet the full, complete realization of redemption and Christ-likeness (the "apprehension" and "prize") is still a future hope. Paul, despite his apostleship and direct encounter with the risen Christ, fully embraced this tension, demonstrating that the pursuit of Christ is a lifelong endeavor that culminates at glorification. His spiritual humility, far from indicating weakness, portrays the profound strength derived from utter reliance on God and an unyielding commitment to divine purpose. This posture subtly contrasts with any claims of immediate or attained perfectionism that some philosophical or religious groups might have espoused in the ancient world, and indeed, within certain Christian circles throughout history. His singular focus on the future goal ("one thing I do") acts as a counter-polemic against any philosophy or lifestyle that fragments a person's life into disparate pursuits without a central, unifying, Christ-honoring aim.

Philippians 3 13 Commentary

Philippians 3:13 serves as a profound encapsulation of the Christian journey, characterized by dynamic pursuit rather than static contentment. Paul, a spiritual giant, rejects the notion of having "arrived" at full spiritual maturity or perfection. This statement establishes humility as a foundational virtue in the life of faith; spiritual growth is an ongoing process until glorification. The heart of the verse lies in Paul's single-minded devotion, declaring "this one thing I do." This singular focus guides his entire existence, leaving no room for fragmented allegiance or spiritual complacency.

Crucially, his method involves "forgetting those things which are behind." This is an active, decisive choice to detach from the past's influence, encompassing both potential hindrances like past sins and potential distractions like past achievements. To dwell on past failures can lead to discouragement, while dwelling on past successes can breed pride, both inhibiting present spiritual momentum. Paul illustrates the principle that what truly matters is not where one has been, but where one is going in Christ.

Finally, the dynamic "reaching forth unto those things which are before" signifies an eager, intense, and continuous straining towards the ultimate goal: a deeper knowledge of Christ, conformity to His image, and the ultimate resurrection life. This image of an athlete depicts the dedication, effort, and intentionality required in the Christian race. It is a powerful call for believers to abandon spiritual inertia and engage in a forward-looking, Christ-centered, and relentlessly striving life of faith.

Practical Examples:

• A student doesn't dwell on past grades (good or bad) but focuses on preparing for the next exam.
• An athlete, despite winning previous medals, intensely trains for the next competition.
• A Christian who makes a mistake (failure) repents and moves forward, rather than letting shame paralyze them.
• A Christian who experiences great spiritual blessing (achievement) uses it as fuel for further service, not as a reason to rest.