Bible Strands
Philippians 3:12
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Philippian church immediately after stating his aim of attaining the resurrection from the dead. He speaks in the first person to correct any assumption that he has reached spiritual completion.
The words — διώκω (diōkō) translates literally as "I am pursuing" or "I press on," while τετελειώμαι (teteleiōmai) means "have been made perfect." These terms establish the verse's core contrast between present striving and finished status.
The thread — The pursuit motif runs through 1 Timothy 6:11, which commands fleeing worldly things and pursuing righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Psalm 138:8 anchors this effort in divine faithfulness by stating the Lord will fulfill His purpose and not abandon His works.
Why it lands — The text states that spiritual maturity is an ongoing pursuit of the purpose Christ has already claimed, not a current state of perfection. It requires readers to abandon claims of finished righteousness and actively strive toward Christ's prior hold on them.
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
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.
Cross-references
- 1 Timothy 6:11 But you, O man of God, flee from these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.
- 2 Peter 1:5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge;
- Psalms 138:8 The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me. O LORD, Your loving devotion endures forever—do not abandon the works of Your hands.
- Hosea 6:3 So let us know—let us press on to know the LORD. As surely as the sun rises, He will appear; He will come to us like the rain, like the spring showers that water the earth.
- 1 Peter 3:11 He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.
- 2 Corinthians 7:1 Therefore, beloved, since we have these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that defiles body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
- Isaiah 51:1 “Listen to Me, you who pursue righteousness, you who seek the LORD: Look to the rock from which you were cut, and to the quarry from which you were hewn.
- Philippians 3:13 Brothers, 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,
- Hebrews 13:21 equip you with every good thing to do His will. And may He accomplish in us what is pleasing in His sight through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
- Ephesians 1:4 For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence. In love