Philippians 3:13
New International Version
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,

New Living Translation
No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,

English Standard Version
Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,

Berean Standard Bible
Brothers, 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,

Berean Literal Bible
Brothers, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing indeed: Forgetting the things behind and reaching forward to the things ahead,

King James Bible
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

New King James Version
Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,

New American Standard Bible
Brothers and sisters, I do not regard myself as having taken hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,

NASB 1995
Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,

NASB 1977
Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,

Legacy Standard Bible
Brothers, I do not consider myself as having laid hold of it yet, but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,

Amplified Bible
Brothers and sisters, I do not consider that I have made it my own yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,

Christian Standard Bible
Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Brothers, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead,

American Standard Version
Brethren, I count not myself yet to have laid hold: but one thing I do, forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before.

Contemporary English Version
My friends, I don't feel I have already arrived. But I forget what is behind, and I struggle for what is ahead.

English Revised Version
Brethren, I count not myself yet to have apprehended: but one thing I do, forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before,

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Brothers and sisters, I can't consider myself a winner yet. This is what I do: I don't look back, I lengthen my stride, and

Good News Translation
Of course, my friends, I really do not think that I have already won it; the one thing I do, however, is to forget what is behind me and do my best to reach what is ahead.

International Standard Version
Brothers, I do not consider myself to have embraced it yet. But this one thing I do: Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,

Majority Standard Bible
Brothers, 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,

NET Bible
Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have attained this. Instead I am single-minded: Forgetting the things that are behind and reaching out for the things that are ahead,

New Heart English Bible
Brothers, I do not regard myself as having taken hold of it, but one thing I do. Forgetting the things which are behind, and reaching forward to the things which are ahead,

Webster's Bible Translation
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forward to those things which are before,

Weymouth New Testament
Brethren, I do not imagine that I have yet laid hold of it. But this one thing I do--forgetting everything which is past and stretching forward to what lies in front of me,

World English Bible
Brothers, I don’t regard myself as yet having taken hold, but one thing I do: forgetting the things which are behind and stretching forward to the things which are before,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
brothers, I do not reckon myself to have laid hold [of it], but one thing [I do]—indeed forgetting the things behind, and stretching forth to the things before—

Berean Literal Bible
Brothers, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing indeed: Forgetting the things behind and reaching forward to the things ahead,

Young's Literal Translation
brethren, I do not reckon myself to have laid hold; and one thing -- the things behind indeed forgetting, and to the things before stretching forth --

Smith's Literal Translation
Brethren, I reckon not myself to have been overtaken: but one, truly forgetting things behind, and stretching still farther to things before,
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended. But one thing I do: forgetting the things that are behind, and stretching forth myself to those that are before,

Catholic Public Domain Version
Brothers, I do not consider that I have already attained this. Instead, I do one thing: forgetting those things that are behind, and extending myself toward those things that are ahead,

New American Bible
Brothers, I for my part do not consider myself to have taken possession. Just one thing: forgetting what lies behind but straining forward to what lies ahead,

New Revised Standard Version
Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
My brethren, I do not consider that I have reached the goal; but this one thing I do know, forgetting those things which are behind me, I strive for those things which are before me,

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
My brethren, I do not consider myself to have obtained it, but I know one thing: I have forgotten that which is behind me and I reach out before me,
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Brethren, I do not conclude that I have already laid hold:

Godbey New Testament
Brethren, I do not consider that I have yet received it;

Haweis New Testament
Brethren, I count not myself to have overtaken it; but this one object I pursue, forgetting the things which are behind, and reaching out to those which are before,

Mace New Testament
I don't imagine, my brethren, that I am arriv'd at the goal; but this I do, unmindful of what is pass'd, I stretch towards that which is in view,

Weymouth New Testament
Brethren, I do not imagine that I have yet laid hold of it. But this one thing I do--forgetting everything which is past and stretching forward to what lies in front of me,

Worrell New Testament
Brethren, I do not account myself to have laid hold of it; but one thing I do, forgetting the things which are behind, and reaching forth to the things before.

Worsley New Testament
Brethren, I count not myself to have attained it: but one thing I do, forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to those before,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Pressing Toward the Goal
12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers, 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, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus.…

Cross References
Hebrews 12:1
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us.

Luke 9:62
Then Jesus declared, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and then looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way as to take the prize. / Everyone who competes in the games trains with strict discipline. They do it for a crown that is perishable, but we do it for a crown that is imperishable. / Therefore I do not run aimlessly; I do not fight like I am beating the air. ...

2 Timothy 4:7-8
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. / From now on there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but to all who crave His appearing.

Isaiah 43:18-19
“Do not call to mind the former things; pay no attention to the things of old. / Behold, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness and streams in the desert.

2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come!

Romans 8:18
I consider that our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us.

Colossians 3:2
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Matthew 6:33
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.

Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

Proverbs 4:25-27
Let your eyes look forward; fix your gaze straight ahead. / Make a level path for your feet, and all your ways will be sure. / Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your feet away from evil.

Psalm 37:25
I once was young and now am old, yet never have I seen the righteous abandoned or their children begging for bread.

1 Peter 1:13
Therefore prepare your minds for action. Be sober-minded. Set your hope fully on the grace to be given you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

Ephesians 4:22-24
to put off your former way of life, your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; / to be renewed in the spirit of your minds; / and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.


Treasury of Scripture

Brothers, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth to those things which are before,

I count.

Philippians 3:8,12
Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, …

Philippians 1:18-21
What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice…

Philippians 4:11-13
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content…

one.

Psalm 27:4
One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple.

Luke 10:42
But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

2 Peter 3:8
But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

forgetting.

Psalm 45:10
Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father's house;

Luke 9:62
And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

2 Corinthians 5:16
Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.

and reaching.

Philippians 2:12
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

Romans 15:23-29
But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you; …

1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain…

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Ahead Apprehended Clear Consider Count Forgetting Forth Forward Hold Imagine Indeed Laid Past Reaching Reckon Regard Stretching
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Ahead Apprehended Clear Consider Count Forgetting Forth Forward Hold Imagine Indeed Laid Past Reaching Reckon Regard Stretching
Philippians 3
1. He warns them to beware of the false teachers;
4. showing that himself has greater cause than they to trust in the righteousness of the law;
7. which he counts as loss, to gain Christ and his righteousness;
12. acknowledging his own imperfection and pressing on toward the goal;
15. He exhorts them to be thus minded;
17. and to imitate him,
18. and to decline carnal ways.














Brothers
The term "Brothers" (Greek: ἀδελφοί, adelphoi) is a term of endearment and unity, often used by Paul to address fellow believers. It signifies a familial bond among Christians, emphasizing the spiritual kinship that transcends biological ties. In the early church, this term fostered a sense of community and mutual support, crucial for the fledgling Christian communities facing external pressures and internal challenges.

I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it
Paul's humility is evident in this phrase. The Greek word for "consider" (λογίζομαι, logizomai) implies a thoughtful and deliberate assessment. Paul acknowledges his ongoing journey of faith, recognizing that he has not yet fully grasped the ultimate goal of Christlikeness. This humility serves as a model for believers, reminding them of the continuous nature of spiritual growth and the importance of perseverance.

But one thing I do
This phrase highlights Paul's singular focus and determination. The Greek word for "one" (ἓν, hen) underscores the importance of prioritizing one's spiritual journey. Paul emphasizes the necessity of concentrating on the pursuit of Christ above all else, encouraging believers to eliminate distractions and maintain a clear vision of their spiritual objectives.

Forgetting what is behind
The concept of "forgetting" (ἐπιλανθανόμενος, epilanthanomenos) in this context does not imply a literal erasure of memory but rather a conscious decision to not let past failures or successes hinder present and future progress. Paul encourages believers to release the hold of past sins, regrets, or even achievements, which can impede their spiritual journey. This act of forgetting is a liberating step towards embracing God's grace and moving forward in faith.

and straining toward what is ahead
The imagery of "straining" (ἐπεκτεινόμενος, epekteinomenos) conveys an athlete's intense effort in a race, stretching every muscle to reach the finish line. This metaphor reflects the Christian's pursuit of spiritual maturity and the ultimate prize of eternal life with Christ. The phrase "what is ahead" signifies the future promises and hope found in Christ, urging believers to focus on their heavenly calling and the eternal rewards that await them.

(13) I count not myself . . .--The "I" is emphatic, evidently in contrast with some of those who thought themselves "perfect." (See Philippians 3:15.) Not only does St. Paul refuse to count that he has ever yet "attained;" he will not allow that he is yet in a position even to grasp at the prize. (Comp. 1Corinthians 9:27.)

Forgetting those things which are behind . . .--The precept is absolutely general, applying to past blessings, past achievements, even past sins. The ineradicable instinct of hope, which the wisdom of the world (not unreasonably if this life be all) holds to be a delusion, or at best a condescension to weakness, is sanctioned in the gospel as an anticipation of immortality. Accordingly hope is made a rational principle, and is always declared to be, not only a privilege, but a high Christian duty, co-ordinate with faith and love (as in 1Corinthians 13:13; Ephesians 4:4). St. Paul does not scruple to say that, if we have it not, for the next life as well as this, we Christians are "of all men most miserable" (1Corinthians 15:19). Hence past blessing is but an earnest of the future; past achievements of good are stepping-stones to greater things; past sins are viewed in that true repentance which differs from remorse--"the sorrow of this world which worketh death" (2Corinthians 7:10)--in having a sure and certain hope of the final conquest of all sin. The "eternal life" in Christ is a present gift, but one test of its reality in the present is its possession of the promise of the future. . . .

Verse 13. - Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended; rather, perhaps, I reckon. Two of the best manuscripts read "not yet" (οὔπω). The pronouns are emphatic: whatever others may think of me or of themselves, "I reckon not myself to have apprehended." But this one thing. The ellipse here is forcible; some supply "I reckon;" others, "I say;" others, as A.V., "I do," which seems best suited to the context. I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before. St. Paul concentrates all his thoughts and all his energies on the one great end of life, the one thing needful. He forgets those things which are behind; that is, not, as some explain, his Jewish privileges and distinctions, but that part of his Christian race already past. So Chrysostom, Καὶ γὰρ ὁ δρομεὺς οὐχ ὅσους ἤνυσεν ἀναλογίζεται διαύλους ἀλλ ὅσους λείπεται... Τί γὰρ ἡμᾶς ὠφελεῖ τὸ ἀνυσθὲν ὅταν τὸ λειπόμενον μὴ προστεθῇ; Reaching forth. The Greek word μὴ προστεθῇ; is singularly emphatic: it means that the athlete throws himself forward in the race with all his energies strained to the very utmost. Compare Bengel, "Oculus manum, manus pedem praevertit et trahit."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Brothers,
ἀδελφοί (adelphoi)
Noun - Vocative Masculine Plural
Strong's 80: A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote.

I
ἐγὼ (egō)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

{do} not
οὐ (ou)
Adverb
Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.

consider
λογίζομαι (logizomai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 3049: To reckon, count, charge with; reason, decide, conclude; think, suppose.

myself
ἐμαυτὸν (emauton)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1683: Genitive case compound of emou and autos; of myself so likewise the dative case emautoi em-ow-to', and accusative case emauton em-ow-ton'.

yet to have laid hold [of it].
κατειληφέναι (kateilēphenai)
Verb - Perfect Infinitive Active
Strong's 2638: From kata and lambano; to take eagerly, i.e. Seize, possess, etc.

But
δέ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

one thing [I do]:
ἓν (hen)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 1520: One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.

Forgetting
ἐπιλανθανόμενος (epilanthanomenos)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1950: To forget, neglect. Middle voice from epi and lanthano; to lose out of mind; by implication, to neglect.

what is
τὰ (ta)
Article - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

behind
ὀπίσω (opisō)
Adverb
Strong's 3694: Behind, after; back, backwards. From the same as opisthen with enclitic of direction; to the back, i.e. Aback.

and
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

straining toward
ἐπεκτεινόμενος (epekteinomenos)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1901: To strain after, stretch forward. Middle voice from epi and ekteino; to stretch forward upon.

what [is]
τοῖς (tois)
Article - Dative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

ahead,
ἔμπροσθεν (emprosthen)
Adverb
Strong's 1715: From en and pros; in front of (literally or figuratively) or time).


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NT Letters: Philippians 3:13 Brothers I don't regard myself as yet (Philipp. Phil. Php.)
Philippians 3:12
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