Christian Unity is Detailed to the Philippians Volume 35

Paul sees Himself in the Light of Christ Jesus our Lord

Philippians 3:12 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. KJV

When Paul wrote this letter to the believers in Philippi and as a permanent part of the Holy Scripture for we believers today and of every generation, he was not a new convert to Christ, but he was instead a seasoned mature follower of our Lord Jesus Christ, yet we found him in the previous verses almost begging to become more knowledgeable of Christ as you would think a babe in Christ would write. However, Paul found out as every sincere believer in Christ discovers that the more you come to know of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ, the less you seem to know, for the knowledge of Him and His ways are like swimming in an ocean that has no bottom at all. Therefore, we find Paul now continuing this theme of his pursuit of closeness to Christ by saying, “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.” (Philippians 3:12) (KJV). Paul has discovered in his now long walk with Christ that he is so limited in what has been divulged to him.

He begins immediately after declaring to these Philippian believers and we believers today how he has not attained and this English word “attained” is translated by the Greek word lambano which is a prolonged form of a primary verb, which is used only as an alternate in certain tenses; to take (in very many applications, literally and figuratively, probably objective or active, to get hold of. In other words, Paul had come to realize that he had not (in this life) come to appreciate all that he and other believers have available to us in our relationship to Christ Jesus our Lord probably he has in his mind what God the Father said in the Old Testament speaking of Himself through the Prophet Isaiah, “‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,’ says the LORD. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.’” (Isaiah 55:8-9) (NKJV). Paul uses the Greek verb lambano (the aorist tense) here signifying that he is referring back to his conversion to Christ.

Note: “The word “aorist” is a verb tense in some languages (classical Greek and Sanskrit) expressing action (especially past action) without indicating its completion or continuation tense. This is exactly the message the Apostle Paul is conveying here to these Philippian believers that although he is sure of his conversion “to Christ” he has come to understand (even though he has been now walking with Christ over 30 years) that he sees himself still learning about our Lord Jesus Christ without the benefit of full and complete knowledge of Him.” Paul follows up with the simultaneous revelation that he is not “already perfect” and this English phrase is translated by one Greek word teleioo from the Greek word teleios meaning complete (in various applications of labor, growth, mental and moral character, etc.); to complete, that is, (literally) accomplish, or (figuratively) consummate (in character). In other words, Paul (referring to his present state) has found through this long faith walk that Christ and he are still light years apart in character, for he sees himself in a state of imperfection and trial or testing as he continues his sojourn and pilgrimage on the earth.

However, he instantly reveals his determined desire to these believers in Philippi by saying, “I follow after”, this English phrase is translated by one Greek word dioko which is a prolonged (and causative) form of a primary verb dio meaning to pursue (literally or figuratively); to run after as one does when running errands. In other words, Paul even though he clearly sees much of his imperfections, yet he is running spiritually after Christ seeking only to be affirmed by Him, that is, declared solemnly and formally as true. This continuous pursuit of Paul’s is if so “I may apprehend” and this English phrase is translated by the one Greek word katalambano meaning to take eagerly, that is, seize, possess, etc. (literally or figuratively): - apprehend, attain, come upon, comprehend, find, obtain, or perceive. In other words, the Apostle Paul is not discouraged by the discovery of all his imperfections, but he is encouraged and eagerly pursuing after the One who is Perfect in love, compassion, righteousness, mercy, holiness, kindness, joy, peace, faithfulness, etc.

“Salvation is just the beginning, then our life here on the earth is the middle, and finally when we see our Lord Jesus Christ face to face, then we will know Him more, but it is my opinion that we will spend all of eternity in Heaven with Christ constantly and continually learning more and more about all that He is, for there is no end to the Eternal God who had no beginning and has no end.” Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

“‘I was laid hold of by Jesus Christ.’ That is how Paul thinks of what we call his conversion. He would never have ‘turned’ unless a hand had been laid upon him. A strong loving grasp had gripped him in the midst of his career of persecution, and all that he had done was to yield to the grip, and not to wriggle out of it. The strong expression suggests, as it seems to me, the suddenness of the incident. There is suggested in the word, too, distinctly, our Lord’s personal action in the matter. No doubt, the fact of His supernatural appearance gives emphasis to the phrase here. But every Christian man and woman has been, as truly as ever Paul was, laid hold of by the personal action of Jesus Christ.” Alexander MacLaren

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…