Philippians 3:12-16 “Not 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. 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, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained.”
Not Yet Perfect, But Always Pressing On (v.12)
By the time we reach this section of Philippians 3, Paul has laid out a remarkable testimony. He’s shown us the surpassing value of knowing Christ, the futility of trusting in the flesh, and the transforming power of Christ’s resurrection. But lest anyone think he considers himself already “arrived” or fully sanctified, Paul immediately clarifies his spiritual posture: “Not that I have already obtained all this…”
The Apostle Paul – church planter, theologian, martyr, author of much of the New Testament – wants the Philippians (and us) to know that he is still on the journey. The great Apostle is not resting on past accomplishments. He is not paralysed by past failures. Instead, he is pressing on, straining forward, and pursuing the ultimate prize: full communion with Christ. This is a message we desperately need in our time. In a culture of spiritual complacency, instant gratification, and shallow Christianity, Paul calls us to a different mindset – a mindset of progress, growth, humility, and holy ambition.
“Not that I have already obtained all this…” (v.12a)
“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal…” Paul begins with an honest admission. Despite his maturity, his obedience, and his passion for Christ, he confesses: “I have not arrived.” This statement is striking, not just because of who Paul is, but because of how rare this attitude is in our day. Many Christians grow content with a baseline level of spirituality. They attend church, avoid scandalous sins, and consider themselves settled. But Paul refuses to settle. He lives with a holy discontent – not driven by guilt or legalism, but by the sheer greatness of Christ and the glory of what lies ahead.
The phrase “already obtained” likely refers back to the fullness of resurrection life and perfect conformity to Christ that he discussed in verses 10-11. Paul knows he has not yet reached the end. He has not been fully made like Christ. He has not yet experienced the resurrection. Therefore, he presses on. There is something deeply humbling and inspiring about this confession. Paul is modelling a key truth: Spiritual maturity is not about perfection – it’s about pursuit. The mark of a mature believer is not that they think they’ve arrived, but that they press forward with urgency and humility.
“But I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” (v.12b)
This is the heartbeat of Paul’s spiritual life: “I press on.” The Greek word here (diōkō) conveys intense pursuit, like a runner chasing a goal or a hunter tracking prey. It’s not casual – it’s focused and determined. Paul is not coasting through the Christian life. He’s not treating faith as a side interest. He is pursuing Christ with every fibre of his being. And why? Because Christ Jesus took hold of him.
This is one of the most beautiful phrases in this passage: “To take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” Paul is not striving to earn Christ’s love – he already has it. He’s not chasing salvation – he’s already been seized by grace. But now, having been gripped by Christ, Paul really wants to grasp everything Christ has for him. There’s a powerful tension here: Paul acknowledges that Christ acted first – He “took hold” of Paul on the Damascus Road, transforming him from persecutor to preacher, from self-righteous Pharisee to Christ-exalting apostle. But that initial moment of grace now fuels Paul’s lifelong pursuit of the One who saved him. This is the shape of every true Christian life:
- Christ takes hold of us by grace.
- Then we spend the rest of our lives pressing in, pressing forward, pressing on – to lay hold of Him more fully, to become more like Him, and to finish the race He has set before us.
Saved by Grace, Pressing on in Grace
This verse also helps us to understand a really crucial balance in Christian theology: the relationship between God’s initiative and our response.
- Salvation is entirely by grace. Christ “took hold” of us first. We did not earn it, initiate it, or deserve it.
- But that grace produces a response. We now live to take hold of the very purpose for which He saved us. (see 1 Corinthians 15:10)
Paul isn’t contradicting his earlier statements about justification by faith. He’s not saying we must now earn what we’ve been given. Rather, he’s showing us that grace is not opposed to effort – it’s opposed to earning. To “press on” is not to panic or perform, but to pursue Christ out of love, gratitude, and awe. This is what separates gospel-driven perseverance from works-based religion. The former is joyful, Spirit-empowered, and full of hope. The latter is anxious, self-reliant, and never enough. Paul’s example urges us to avoid two great errors in the Christian life:
- Complacency: thinking we’ve arrived, when in truth we’ve just begun.
- Despair: believing we’ll never change, when in truth Christ is at work in us.
Instead, we press on – with confidence that Christ has taken hold of us, and with determination to grow more fully into His likeness.
This first verse of our passage (Philippians 3:12) is packed with gospel clarity and spiritual passion. It shows us that the Christian life is a race still being run, not a prize already possessed. Paul’s humility (“Not that I have already obtained…”) reminds us that no one is above the need for growth. His urgency (“I press on…”) challenges us to refuse spiritual stagnation. And his gospel foundation (“…because Christ Jesus took hold of me”) anchors all our striving in the finished work of Jesus.
So, what does this mean for us today?
- If you feel stuck in your faith, take heart: You are not alone. Even Paul said he hadn’t arrived. But don’t stay stuck. Press on.
- If you’ve been relying on past spiritual victories, remember: yesterday’s faithfulness is not enough for today’s journey. Press on.
- If you are overwhelmed by how far you have to go, remember: Christ has taken hold of you. And He will complete what He started. So, press on.
Let this be your prayer today: “Lord Jesus, since You have taken hold of me, help me to take hold of everything You desire for me. I’m not there yet – but I will press on, until I see You face to face.”
Forgetting What Is Behind and Straining Toward What Is Ahead (vv. 13–14)
Paul has just declared in verse 12 that he hasn’t already obtained his ultimate goal. He acknowledges that he is still in process – still being shaped into the likeness of Christ. Now, in verses 13 and 14, Paul expands that thought by using a powerful metaphor drawn from the world of athletics. He pictures the Christian life as a race. The runner has one aim: to reach the finish line and win the prize. The picture is full of energy, direction, and determination. There’s no drifting here, no passive waiting. Paul models for us a faith that moves forward intentionally. He invites us to adopt a mindset that refuses to dwell in the past and instead embraces a relentless pursuit of Christ.
A Humble Acknowledgment: (v.13a)
Paul begins verse 13 by repeating and reinforcing what he said in verse 12: “I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.” The repetition is deliberate. Paul wants the Philippians to be absolutely clear: he is still growing. This is an incredible statement coming from the Apostle Paul. If he hasn’t arrived – if he still sees room to grow – then surely none of us should consider ourselves spiritually finished. It’s a powerful reminder that spiritual maturity includes a deep awareness of how far we still have to go. There’s no arrogance here. No spiritual entitlement. Just the humble confession of a man who is deeply in love with Jesus and who knows he still has more of Christ to experience. That humility is not defeatist – it’s what fuels Paul’s pursuit. Because he knows he hasn’t yet arrived, he keeps striving toward what lies ahead.
The Power of Focus: “But one thing I do…” (v.13b)
This next phrase is crucial: “But one thing I do…” In Greek, the structure is even more emphatic – Paul is saying, “But one thing!” This is about singular focus, undivided attention, total commitment. Paul is not distracted by lesser pursuits. His life is not pulled in ten different directions. His heart is locked on one goal: to know Christ more fully and to become like Him. All other ambitions have been subordinated to this one aim. This reminds us of Psalm 27:4, where David says, “One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek…” It echoes the words of Jesus to Martha in Luke 10:42, “Only one thing is necessary.” The most faithful saints in Scripture were those who lived with focused devotion. We are constantly tempted to live divided lives – trying to serve God while also pursuing comfort, recognition, or personal achievement. But Paul says, “One thing.” That’s what defines the life of faith. A singular passion for Christ and His calling.
Letting Go: “Forgetting what is behind…” (v.13c)
Here is one of the most challenging and liberating principles in the Christian life: “forgetting what is behind.” Paul doesn’t mean literal amnesia. He’s not suggesting that we erase our memory. He means that we must refuse to let the past define or control us. The past – whether good or bad – can become a burden that holds us back from running freely. For Paul, this meant letting go of:
- His past achievements – his status as a Pharisee, his reputation, his zeal. All of that, once a source of pride, now counted as loss.
- His past failures – his persecution of the church, his complicity in Stephen’s death, his misplaced zeal. These could have crippled him with shame, but he laid them down at the foot of the cross.
We, too, must forget what is behind:
- Let go of past sins, trusting that Christ’s blood is enough to cleanse you.
- Let go of past glories, refusing to rest on yesterday’s victories.
- Let go of past wounds, surrendering bitterness and trusting God’s healing.
Only when we release the past can we be free to run the race set before us.
Reaching Forward: “Straining toward what is ahead…” (v.13d)
The verb “straining” here evokes the image of a runner stretching out toward the finish line, every muscle taut, every nerve engaged. This is not a casual jog – it is an intense effort, full of passion and urgency. Christian growth is not automatic. It requires spiritual effort, not to earn salvation, but in response to it. We strive toward greater intimacy with Christ, deeper obedience, stronger faith, and more faithful service. What is ahead? More of Christ. More of His likeness. More opportunities to serve. More of His kingdom breaking into the world. Paul is not content with a static faith. He wants to keep growing until the day he sees Jesus face to face. This image invites us to examine our lives. Are we reaching forward, or are we standing still? Are we spiritually coasting, or are we pressing in?
The Finish Line: “I press on toward the goal to win the prize…” (v.14a)
Now Paul returns to the theme of verse 12: “I press on.” The Christian life is not a sprint – it’s a long-distance race. And the goal is clear: “to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” What is the prize? It is full and final union with Christ. It is hearing, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” It is receiving the crown of righteousness that the Lord has promised to those who love Him (2 Timothy 4:8). It is the upward call of God – the invitation to glory, the summons to eternity.
This “heavenward call” gives shape and motivation to everything we do on earth. Paul lived every day in light of that future. And so should we. The prize is not worldly success, not human applause, not even moral achievement. The prize is Christ Himself.
In these two verses, Paul gives us a vivid picture of the Christian life:
- It’s a life of humility – recognizing we haven’t arrived.
- A life of focus – pursuing one thing above all else.
- A life of release – letting go of what’s behind.
- A life of effort – straining forward.
- A life of hope – pressing toward the prize.
So, how do we live this way? By keeping our eyes on Jesus. He is both the finish line and the running partner. He is the One who called us and the One who will bring us safely home. Let us, like Paul, press on – joyfully, passionately, and persistently – toward the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Maturity and Unity in the Race (vv. 15–16)
Paul has just described the Christian life as a race – a focused pursuit of Christ in which we forget the past and strain toward what lies ahead. But now, in verses 15 and 16, he shifts from personal testimony to corporate encouragement. He turns to the Philippians and says, in effect, “Let’s run this race together.” These verses offer us a clear vision for Christian maturity and a call to unity in the journey of faith. Paul shows us that pressing on toward the goal isn’t just an individual pursuit – it’s a community effort. We are called to grow in Christ together, to encourage one another, and to walk in the truth we already know. Let’s explore three key exhortations from these verses.
The Call to Maturity (v.15a)
“All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things.” Paul uses the word “then” (or “therefore”) to connect verse 15 to what he has just said. In other words, “In light of everything I’ve just described – the humble pursuit of Christ, the letting go of the past, the straining toward what is ahead – this is how mature believers should think.”
The Greek word for “mature” here (teleioi) can also be translated as “perfect,” but clearly Paul doesn’t mean sinless perfection. After all, in verse 12, he just said, “Not that I have already been made perfect.” What Paul means here is spiritual maturity – a mindset shaped by the gospel, grounded in humility, and hungry for growth.
This is an important reminder that maturity is not marked by how much you know, but by how you think. A mature Christian doesn’t believe they’ve arrived. A mature Christian doesn’t become complacent. Instead, they adopt the same mindset Paul describes:
- I haven’t arrived.
- I’m still growing.
- I want more of Christ.
- I’m pressing on toward the goal.
Paul is urging the Philippians – and us – to cultivate this kind of thinking. Not a mindset of defeat or apathy, but one of passionate pursuit and eager expectation. This is the mark of a gospel-shaped life.
The Grace for Growth (v.15b)
“And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.” This is a beautiful example of Paul’s pastoral wisdom and gracious leadership. He acknowledges that not everyone in the church may yet see things the same way. Some may still be clinging to their religious credentials. Others may be spiritually immature or uncertain. But instead of rebuking them harshly or demanding instant agreement, Paul expresses confidence in God’s work in them: “That too God will make clear to you.”
What a powerful lesson in humility and patience. Paul knows that spiritual growth is a process, and that it is ultimately God who brings understanding and transformation. This frees us from the pressure to argue people into maturity. Yes, we should teach truth clearly and correct gently when necessary. But we must also trust the Holy Spirit to do the deeper work of conviction and growth.
Paul’s tone here is not defensive or argumentative – it’s calm, trusting, and confident in God’s timing. That’s how mature believers speak. That’s how gospel-centred communities grow – through truth spoken in love, and through space for the Spirit to work. If you find yourself frustrated that others don’t “get it” the way you do, remember this verse. If you’re wrestling with questions yourself, take comfort – God will make it clear in His time, as you remain open to His leading.
Living What We Already Know (v.16)
This verse is both encouraging and challenging. Paul is saying, “Wherever you are in your walk with Christ – however much you already understand – make sure you’re living it.” In other words, don’t wait until you know everything to start obeying what you already know. Spiritual maturity is not just about revelation – it’s about application.
Many Christians are hungry for more knowledge, but Paul is urging us to walk faithfully in what we’ve already been taught. This guards against two dangers:
- Pride: thinking that knowing more makes us mature, even if we’re not living it out.
- Stagnation: waiting for deeper insight before we start obeying clear commands.
God calls us to put our faith into action. If we know we are to forgive, we must forgive. If we know we are to serve, we must serve. If we know we are to press on, we must not settle. This is also an invitation to consistency. Paul is calling the Philippians to remain faithful to the gospel they have already received and the progress they’ve already made. He wants them to keep growing – but not to forget or neglect what they already understand. In short, Paul is saying: Keep walking in the light you’ve been given, and God will provide more.
Conclusion:
Philippians 3:15 -16 closes this powerful passage on spiritual pursuit with a call to maturity, unity, and consistency. It shows us that:
- Mature believers keep pressing on – they don’t pretend to have arrived.
- Mature believers give grace to others – they trust God to guide those who differ.
- Mature believers walk in obedience – they live out what they already know.
In a culture that often prizes appearance over authenticity, and knowledge over obedience, Paul offers a refreshing and radical alternative. He paints a picture of a church that is humble, focused, gracious, and growing – not alone, but together.
Let this be our prayer: Lord, give us the mind of maturity. Help us to press on, to think rightly, to love patiently, and to walk faithfully. Keep us united in pursuit of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Amen.