Lesson 222: Philippians 3:13
Philippians 3:13
The Blueprint — The Verse
Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,
Memorization Practice
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The Context — The History
Paul warns against confidence in fleshly credentials — pedigree, zeal, righteousness. He presses toward resurrection perfection with athletic imagery familiar in Greek games.
The Narrative — The Lead-Up
Paul counts former gains as loss for knowing Christ. Not yet perfect, he forgets what lies behind and strains forward to the goal of God's upward call in Christ.
The Echo — Follow-on Verses
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Philippians 3:12
12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
Read the verse immediately before this lesson (Philippians 3:12) to hear the lead-in to the passage.
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Philippians 3:14
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Read the verse immediately after this lesson (Philippians 3:14) to continue the passage.
Discussion
- What from your past do you need to leave behind?
- What goal is God calling you to strain toward?
- How does 'not yet' keep you humble and hungry?