Phili 3:10-12 | RWP | e4.org | That I may know him ( του γνωνα αυτον ). Genitive of the articular second aorist (ingressive) active infinitive (purpose) of γινωσκω , to have personal acquaintance or experience with. This is Paul's major passion, to get more knowledge of Christ by experience. The power of his resurrection ( την δυναμιν της αναστασεως αυτου ). Power (Lightfoot) in the sense of assurance to believers in immortality ( .; ), in the triumph over sin ( .), in the dignity of the body ( .; ), in stimulating the moral and spiritual life ( ; .; ; ). See Westcott's The Gospel of the Resurrection , ii, 31. The fellowship of his sufferings ( την κοινωνιαν των παθηματων αυτου ). Partnership in (objective genitive) his sufferings, an honour prized by Paul ( ). Becoming conformed to his death ( συμμορφιζομενος τω θανατω αυτου ). Present passive participle of συμμορφιζω , late verb from συμμορφος , found only here and ecclesiastical writers quoting it. The Latin Vulgate uses configuro . See for συμφυτο in like sense and . "The agony of Gethsemane, not less than the agony of Calvary, will be reproduced however faintly in the faithful servant of Christ" (Lightfoot). "In this passage we have the deepest secrets of the Apostle's Christian experience unveiled" (Kennedy).

‏ Philippians 3:10-12

That I may know him ( του γνωνα αυτον ). Genitive of the articular second aorist (ingressive) active infinitive (purpose) of γινωσκω, to have personal acquaintance or experience with. This is Paul's major passion, to get more knowledge of Christ by experience.

The power of his resurrection ( την δυναμιν της αναστασεως αυτου ). Power (Lightfoot) in the sense of assurance to believers in immortality (1Co 15:14f.; Ro 8:11), in the triumph over sin (Ro 4:24f.), in the dignity of the body (1Co 6:13ff.; Php 3:21), in stimulating the moral and spiritual life (Ga 2:20; Ro 6:4f.; Col 2:12; Eph 2:5). See Westcott's The Gospel of the Resurrection, ii, 31.

The fellowship of his sufferings ( την κοινωνιαν των παθηματων αυτου ). Partnership in (objective genitive) his sufferings, an honour prized by Paul (Co 1:24).

Becoming conformed to his death ( συμμορφιζομενος τω θανατω αυτου ). Present passive participle of συμμορφιζω, late verb from συμμορφος, found only here and ecclesiastical writers quoting it. The Latin Vulgate uses configuro. See Ro 6:4 for συμφυτο in like sense and 2Co 4:10. "The agony of Gethsemane, not less than the agony of Calvary, will be reproduced however faintly in the faithful servant of Christ" (Lightfoot). "In this passage we have the deepest secrets of the Apostle's Christian experience unveiled" (Kennedy).

If by any means I may attain ( ε πως καταντησω ). Not an expression of doubt, but of humility (Vincent), a modest hope (Lightfoot). For ε πως, see Ro 1:10; 11:14 where παραζηλωσω can be either future indicative or aorist subjunctive like καταντησω here (see subjunctive καταλαβω in verse 12), late compound verb κατανταω.

Resurrection ( εξαναστασιν ). Late word, not in LXX, but in Polybius and one papyrus example. Apparently Paul is thinking here only of the resurrection of believers out from the dead and so double εξ ( τεν εξαναστασιν την εκ νεκρων ). Paul is not denying a general resurrection by this language, but emphasizing that of believers.

Not that ( ουχ οτ ). To guard against a misunderstanding as in Joh 6:26; 12:6; 2Co 1:24; Php 4:11, 17.

I have already obtained ( ηδη ελαβον ). Rather, "I did already obtain," constative second aorist active indicative of λαμβανω, summing up all his previous experiences as a single event.

Or am already made perfect ( η ηδη τετελειωμα ). Perfect passive indicative (state of completion) of τελειοω, old verb from τελειος and that from τελος (end). Paul pointedly denies that he has reached a spiritual impasse of non- development. Certainly he knew nothing of so-called sudden absolute perfection by any single experience. Paul has made great progress in Christlikeness, but the goal is still before him, not behind him.

But I press on ( διωκω δε ). He is not discouraged, but encouraged. He keeps up the chase (real idea in διωκω, as in 1Co 14:1; Ro 9:30; 1Ti 6:11).

If so be that ( ε κα ). "I follow after." The condition (third class, ει--καταλαβω, second aorist active subjunctive of καταλαμβανω ) is really a sort of purpose clause or aim. There are plenty of examples in the Koine of the use of ε and the subjunctive as here (Robertson, Grammar, p. 1017), "if I also may lay hold of that for which ( εφ' ω, purpose expressed by επ ) I was laid hold of ( κατελημφθην, first aorist passive of the same verb καταλαμβανω ) by Christ Jesus." His conversion was the beginning, not the end of the chase.