Philippians 3:12
New International Version
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.

New Living Translation
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.

English Standard Version
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.

Berean Standard Bible
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 Literal Bible
Not that already I have obtained it or already have been perfected, but I am pursuing, if also I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
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.

New American Standard Bible
Not that I have already grasped it all or have already become perfect, but I press on if I may also take hold of that for which I was even taken hold of by Christ Jesus.

NASB 1995
Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.

NASB 1977
Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.

Legacy Standard Bible
Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.

Amplified Bible
Not that I have already obtained it [this goal of being Christlike] or have already been made perfect, but I actively press on so that I may take hold of that [perfection] for which Christ Jesus took hold of me and made me His own.

Christian Standard Bible
Not that I have already reached the goal or am already perfect, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Not that I have already reached the goal or am already fully mature, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus.

American Standard Version
Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect: but I press on, if so be that I may lay hold on that for which also I was laid hold on by Christ Jesus.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
I have not yet received it, neither am I yet perfect, but I run so that I may obtain that thing for which Yeshua The Messiah apprehended me.

Contemporary English Version
I have not yet reached my goal, and I am not perfect. But Christ has taken hold of me. So I keep on running and struggling to take hold of the prize.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Not as though I has already attained, or were already perfect; but I follow after, if I may by any means apprehend, wherein I am also apprehended by Christ Jesus.

English Revised Version
Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect: but I press on, if so be that I may apprehend that for which also I was apprehended by Christ Jesus.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
It's not that I've already reached the goal or have already completed the course. But I run to win that which Jesus Christ has already won for me.

Good News Translation
I do not claim that I have already succeeded or have already become perfect. I keep striving to win the prize for which Christ Jesus has already won me to himself.

International Standard Version
It's not that I have already reached this goal or have already become perfect. But I keep pursuing it, hoping somehow to embrace it just as I have been embraced by the Messiah Jesus.

Literal Standard Version
Not that I already obtained, or have already been perfected, but I pursue, if I also may lay hold of that for which I was also laid hold of by Christ Jesus;

Majority Standard Bible
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.

New American Bible
It is not that I have already taken hold of it or have already attained perfect maturity, but I continue my pursuit in hope that I may possess it, since I have indeed been taken possession of by Christ [Jesus].

NET Bible
Not that I have already attained this--that is, I have not already been perfected--but I strive to lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus also laid hold of me.

New Revised Standard Version
Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.

New Heart English Bible
Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect; but I press on, if it is so that I may take hold of that for which also I was taken hold of by Christ Jesus.

Webster's Bible Translation
Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I pursue, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended by Christ Jesus.

Weymouth New Testament
I do not say that I have already won the race or have already reached perfection. But I am pressing on, striving to lay hold of the prize for which also Christ has laid hold of me.

World English Bible
Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect; but I press on, that I may take hold of that for which also I was taken hold of by Christ Jesus.

Young's Literal Translation
Not that I did already obtain, or have been already perfected; but I pursue, if also I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by the Christ Jesus;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Pressing Toward the Goal
11and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. 12Not 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. 13Brothers, 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,…

Cross References
Matthew 5:48
Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Acts 9:5
"Who are You, Lord?" Saul asked. "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," He replied.

Romans 8:39
neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

1 Corinthians 9:24
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way as to take the prize.

1 Corinthians 13:10
but when the perfect comes, the partial passes away.

1 Corinthians 13:12
Now we see but a dim reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

Philippians 1:1
Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:


Treasury of Scripture

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.

I had.

Philippians 3:13,16
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, …

Psalm 119:5,173-176
O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes! …

Romans 7:19-24
For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do…

already perfect.

Job 17:9
The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger.

Psalm 138:8
The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.

Proverbs 4:18
But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

I follow.

Philippians 3:14
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Psalm 42:1
To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah. As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.

Psalm 63:1-3,8
A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; …

that I.

Philippians 3:14
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

1 Timothy 6:12
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

apprehended.

Psalm 110:2,3
The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies…

Acts 9:3-6,15
And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: …

Ephesians 1:4
According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

Jump to Previous
Already Apprehend Apprehended Attained Christ Complete Either Follow Hold Hope Jesus Lay Obtained Perfect Perfection Press Pressing Pursue Race Reached Reward Servant Striving Won
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Already Apprehend Apprehended Attained Christ Complete Either Follow Hold Hope Jesus Lay Obtained Perfect Perfection Press Pressing Pursue Race Reached Reward Servant Striving Won
Philippians 3
1. He warns them to beware of the false teachers;
4. showing that himself has greater cause than they to trust in the righteousness of the law;
7. which he counts as loss, to gain Christ and his righteousness;
12. acknowledging his own imperfection and pressing on toward the goal;
15. He exhorts them to be thus minded;
17. and to imitate him,
18. and to decline carnal ways.














(12) Not as though . . .--The tenses are here varied. Not as though I ever yet attained, or have been already made perfect. To "attain," or receive (probably the prize, see Philippians 3:14), is a single act; "to be perfected" a continuous process. Clearly St. Paul has no belief, either in any indefectible grasp of salvation, or in any attainment of full spiritual perfection on this side of the grave. We may note our Lord's use of the word "to be perfected" to signify His death (Luke 13:32), and a similar application of the word to Him in Hebrews 2:10; Hebrews 5:9; also the use of the words "made perfect" to signify the condition of the glorified (Hebrews 11:40; Hebrews 12:23). . . . Verse 12. - Not as though I had already. attained, either were already perfect; the R.V. renders this clause more accurately, not that (1. do not say that) I have already obtained. The verb is not the same with that translated "attain" in ver. 11; it means to get, to win a prize, as in 1 Corinthians 9:24. The tense is aorist: "I say not that I did at once win the prize;" that is, at the time of his conversion. Compare the tenses used in ver. 8, "I suffered the loss of all things;" and ver. 12, "I was apprehended;" which both refer to the same time. The prize was gained in a moment; it needs the continued effort of a lifetime. St. Paul proceeds, using now the perfect tense, "Nor have I been already made perfect." He has not even now reached perfection; he is still working out his own salvation. There may be here a delicate allusion to the spiritual pride which seems to have disturbed the unity of the Philippians (see Philippians 2:2-4). But I follow after; rather, I pursue, I press on. If that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. The words rendered "for which" (ἐφ ῷ) will admit three different interpretations:

(1) that of A.V., which implies the ellipse of the antecedent "that;"

(2) that given in the margin of R.V., "seeing that;" and

(3) that of the R.V., "for which," for which purpose (that is, that I may press on and persevere) I was also apprehended by Christ Jesus. All these translations are possible, and all give a good sense. Perhaps . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Not
Οὐχ (Ouch)
Adverb
Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.

that
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

I have already obtained [all this],
ἔλαβον (elabon)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 2983: (a) I receive, get, (b) I take, lay hold of.

or
(ē)
Conjunction
Strong's 2228: Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.

have already been perfected,
τετελείωμαι (teteleiōmai)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 5048: From teleios; to complete, i.e. accomplish, or consummate.

but
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

I press on
διώκω (diōkō)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1377: To pursue, hence: I persecute. A prolonged form of a primary verb dio; to pursue; by implication, to persecute.

to take hold of
καταλάβω (katalabō)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 2638: From kata and lambano; to take eagerly, i.e. Seize, possess, etc.

that for which
ἐφ’ (eph’)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

Christ
Χριστοῦ (Christou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 5547: Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.

Jesus
Ἰησοῦ (Iēsou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424: Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.

took hold of me.
κατελήμφθην (katelēmphthēn)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 2638: From kata and lambano; to take eagerly, i.e. Seize, possess, etc.


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NT Letters: Philippians 3:12 Not that I have already obtained (Philipp. Phil. Php.)
Philippians 3:11
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