Comments on: Philippians 3:14

By: Grant

Grant — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 00:27:08 +0000

Theresa, the next study (3:14b) indicates that our goal is the smile of our Lord when we meet Him in our entrance into heaven.

By: Theresa

Theresa — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 21:44:03 +0000

Thank you so kindly for sharing this commentary. I am seeking perspectives on this verse for a message of "Why is it important to press towards our goals" This is close to where I am coming from in my view. Again thank you for this.

By: Grant

Grant — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 11:02:34 +0000

Confused, this passage is not arguing for salvation but for maturity in the Christian life. The word “attain,” not “obtain,” means to arrive at a goal. The goal in context is maturity. By the time the out resurrection occurs (probably the rapture), Paul’s goal was to reach a point of maturity in his life. Maturity is a maximum application of truth to experience in the Christian life. The argument is not “to be a part of the first resurrection” but to reach that point in a state of maturity. Salvation is indeed by grace and so is the Christian life and maturity by grace (God’s provision). We do not have the power to live the Chritian life in ourselves.

By: confused

confused — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 01:27:38 +0000

Grant, the problem is paul says that he is “running” that by “any means” he might “obtain the resurrection of the dead”. Or the first resurrection.

he is not saying anything about pleasing God. the implication here is that God put you on the track.. (you were apprehended) but you YOURSELF through ANY MEANS need to “win the race” in order to “be part of the first resurrection”.

Which completely throws salvation by grace right out the window and makes it a bloody track meat that you can only hope to win if you are fanatical enough. i can think of 100 better ways to say what you are claiming is being said here.

you might as well be a Muslim. Why even care about circumcision? why even replace the law? this whole passage is insane.

By: Grant

Grant — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 23:53:42 +0000

Confused, this passage does not seek to gain God’s approbation but we please Him because we HAVE God’s approbation. We live our lives to please the Lord, not to earn favor with Him. The entire Christian life is based on grace (God’s provisions).

By: confused

confused — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 23:46:42 +0000

i am honestly confused by this whole section and peoples response to it.

either righteousness is a FREE GIFT received through faith or it is of WORKS by running and winning a race. It is either of him who wills and him who runs or it is of God who shows mercy.

honestly, if Christianity is nothing more than a treadmill towards a prize earned though racing well then why do we even need a new covenant in the first place? the Law did that just fine.

this section of verses basically puts the “prize” in the hands of those type A personality folks who through BIOLOGY are going to be good at anything they put their hand to and the rest of us are standing out in the cold in last place.

It is almost like Paul does away with the entire body of his teaching on Salvation by grace through faith and re institutes salvation by a more extreme version of works than any other religion on earth… all in the “hope” that “maybe” you can obtain the prize of the resurrection of life if you win..

This is nothing but depressing and disheartening of you really think about it.

By: Grant

Grant — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 09:58:34 +0000

Thanks for inculcating the Word in those quizzers, DadTimesTwo.

By: DadTimesTwo

DadTimesTwo — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 04:13:27 +0000

Good commentary. I’m going to draw from this for a brief lesson I’m doing for the junior bible quizzers at our church. They want to go to nationals, but they’re not studying.

By: Grant

Grant — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 01:59:15 +0000

Bless you Nomkhosi.

By: nomkhosi

nomkhosi — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 00:19:16 +0000

for me this verse says god is calling up on me 2 reach 4 da price, and it is price of righteousness. He encourages me 2 run, push 4 da price
Fada i receive dis verse, i thank 4 making me win da price.