Bible Strands
Philippians 3:11
and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Philippian church, continuing his argument about pressing toward the goal after describing his desire to know Christ and share in His sufferings. He states this clause as the objective of his ongoing pursuit, positioned immediately after his admission of not yet being perfect and before his declaration to press on.
The words — καταντήσω (katantēsō) literally means "I shall attain" or "arrive at," and πως (pōs) translates as "somehow" or "in some way." Together they frame the outcome not as a guaranteed present possession but as a future arrival dependent on divine action.
The thread — The resurrection from the dead appears in Luke 20:35 as the portion of those deemed worthy for the age to come, and in Revelation 20:5 as the first resurrection that precedes the thousand years. Paul also invokes the same phrase in Acts 23:6 to explain his standing before the Sanhedrin.
Why it lands — The text places the goal of Christian effort squarely on a future bodily resurrection rather than present moral perfection. It requires the reader to abandon self-reliance and continue pressing forward toward a resurrection that God alone will accomplish.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
Cross-references
- Luke 20:35 But those who are considered worthy to share in the age to come and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage.
- Revelation 20:5 The rest of the dead did not come back to life until the thousand years were complete. This is the first resurrection.
- Acts 23:6 Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and the others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee. It is because of my hope in the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.”
- Acts 26:7 the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night. It is because of this hope, O king, that I am accused by the Jews.
- 2 Corinthians 11:3 I am afraid, however, that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may be led astray from your simple and pure devotion to Christ.
- Hebrews 11:35 Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused their release, so that they might gain a better resurrection.
- Psalms 49:7 No man can possibly redeem his brother or pay his ransom to God.
- Luke 14:14 and you will be blessed. Since they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
- John 11:24 Martha replied, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”
- Romans 11:14 in the hope that I may provoke my own people to jealousy and save some of them.