Philippians 3:13

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended, etc.] That for which he was apprehended of Christ: he had not attained to perfect knowledge, was not come to the mark, had not received the prize, or laid hold on eternal life; though he had received so much grace, and such gifts, as had qualified him for an apostle; and he had been so many years in that office, and had so great a knowledge in the mystery of the Gospel, and had laboured in it more abundantly than others, and with great success; and even though he had been caught up into the third heaven, and had heard unspeakable words, not lawful to be uttered, (<471202>2 Corinthians 12:2-4), yet he had no such opinion of himself, as if he…”

“I--whatever others count as to themselves. He who counts himself perfect, must deceive himself by calling sin infirmity (Jo1 1:8); at the same time, each must aim at perfection, to be a Christian at all (Mat 5:48). forgetting those things . . . behind--Looking back is sure to end in going back (Luk 9:62): So Lot's wife (Luk 17:32). If in stemming a current we cease pulling the oar against it, we are carried back. God's word to us is as it was to Israel, "Speak unto the children of Israel that they go forward" (Exo 14:15). The Bible is our landmark to show us whether we are progressing or retrograding. reaching forth--with hand and foot, like a runner in a race, and the body bent forward. The…”

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended - That is, to have obtained that for which I have been called into the service of the Redeemer. There is something which I strive after which I have not yet gained. This statement is a confirmation of the opinion that in the previous verse, where he says that he was not “already perfect,” he includes a moral perfection, and not merely the obtainment of the prize or reward; for no one could suppose that he meant to be understood as saying that he had obtained the crown of glory. This one thing I do - Paul had one great aim and purpose of life. He did not attempt to mingle the world and religion, and to gain both. He did not seek to obtain…”

“I do not account myself to have apprehended this already; to be already possessed of perfect holiness. Philippians 3:14”

“3:13-14 the race: See study note on 2:16. • Paul was willing to give up everything else for the ultimate goal, the heavenly prize of eternal life.”

“I count: Phi 3:8, Phi 3:12, Phi 1:18-21, Phi 4:11-13 one: Psa 27:4; Luk 10:42; Pe2 3:8 forgetting: Psa 45:10; Luk 9:62; Co2 5:16; Heb 6:1 and reaching: Phi 2:12; Rom 15:23-29; Co1 9:24-27; Heb 12:1, Heb 12:2 Philippians 3:14”