Philippians 3:12-16

Phil 3:12-16

-there is further spiritual progress to be made

-countering the idealogy amongst judaizers that one who follows the law can be perfect

-Striving for holiness

V.12

- I do not mean that I already have

-what is Paul referring to have not yet reached?

-the prize at the end of the race v.14

-resurrection of the dead v.11

-righteousness v.9

-everything from v.8-11 that would entail spiritual perfection

-Paul s ambition to gain Christ, bring perfectly found in him and knowing him

-his goal has not been reached

-why would Paul mention not being perfect?

-what would be perfection?

-press on - strive

Hebrews 12:14 ESV

14 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

2 Timothy 2:22 ESV

22 So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

-What did Paul mean make it my own?

-What did he mean that Christ had laid hold of him?

V.13

-image of a runner

-what are the things behind?

-are the things behind inherently bad?

-there s something to be said for the picture of the runner looking over his shoulder

V.14

-the goal, what is it?

1 Corinthians 9:24 ESV

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.

-how is the prize won? Not by being first, but by finishing

2 Timothy 4:8 ESV

8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

F. F. Bruce, with reference to a similar Roman practice, has claimed: ‘On a special occasion in Rome this call might come from the emperor himself; how proudly the successful athlete would obey the summons and step up to the imperial box to accept the award

V.15

-examine their lives

-the mature are to think this way, what did Paul mean?

Ephesians 4:13 ESV

13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,

Romans 15:1 ESV

1 We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

-What did Paul mean if any of you think differently?

-God will lead you into the truth

Paul effectively says that they should seek perfection in humbly acknowledging their imperfection.

V. 16

-What does it mean to hold true? conform, follow

-What does attained mean?

-Let us follow what God has revealed to us in His Word