Philippians 3:11-13 KJV
If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
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.
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: ...
Now here is a powerful thing. Paul said he did not count himself as having attained unto the resurrection of the dead. Gill says of this comment,
"Not in a figurative sense, the resurrection from the death of sin to a life of grace, of which Christ is the efficient cause, for this the apostle had attained to; unless the consummation of
that spiritual [sense] life, in perfect holiness, should be intended, than which nothing was more desirable by him;
nor in a representative sense, for this also he enjoyed in Christ his head, being risen with him, and in him, when he rose from the dead;
but in a literal sense and designs .... the special and particular resurrection of the righteous, the better resurrection, which will be first, and upon the personal coming of Christ, and by virtue of union to him, and in a glorious manner, and to everlasting life and happiness: and when the apostle says, "if by any means" he might attain to this, it is not to be understood as if he doubted of it, which would be inconsistent with his firm persuasion, that nothing should separate him from the love of God, and with his full assurance of faith, as to interest in Jesus Christ; but it denotes the difficulty of attaining it, since through various afflictions and great tribulations a believer must pass, before he comes to it; and also the apostle's earnest desire of it, and strenuous endeavour for it; not caring what scenes of trouble, or sea of sorrow what fiery trials, severe sufferings, or cruel death he went through, so be it he obtained as he believed he should, the glorious and better resurrection ....
To his dying breath, Paul lived running for the prize. The Word of God makes it very clear that he knew he was saved. But he never quit running less what he knew to be true was the deception of his heart. Christians get back up when they fall. Christians do not shrink from the trials of Christian life. And when they do, they have reason to wonder if they have attained unto this resurrection of the just.
If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
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.
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: ...
Now here is a powerful thing. Paul said he did not count himself as having attained unto the resurrection of the dead. Gill says of this comment,
"Not in a figurative sense, the resurrection from the death of sin to a life of grace, of which Christ is the efficient cause, for this the apostle had attained to; unless the consummation of
that spiritual [sense] life, in perfect holiness, should be intended, than which nothing was more desirable by him;
nor in a representative sense, for this also he enjoyed in Christ his head, being risen with him, and in him, when he rose from the dead;
but in a literal sense and designs .... the special and particular resurrection of the righteous, the better resurrection, which will be first, and upon the personal coming of Christ, and by virtue of union to him, and in a glorious manner, and to everlasting life and happiness: and when the apostle says, "if by any means" he might attain to this, it is not to be understood as if he doubted of it, which would be inconsistent with his firm persuasion, that nothing should separate him from the love of God, and with his full assurance of faith, as to interest in Jesus Christ; but it denotes the difficulty of attaining it, since through various afflictions and great tribulations a believer must pass, before he comes to it; and also the apostle's earnest desire of it, and strenuous endeavour for it; not caring what scenes of trouble, or sea of sorrow what fiery trials, severe sufferings, or cruel death he went through, so be it he obtained as he believed he should, the glorious and better resurrection ....
To his dying breath, Paul lived running for the prize. The Word of God makes it very clear that he knew he was saved. But he never quit running less what he knew to be true was the deception of his heart. Christians get back up when they fall. Christians do not shrink from the trials of Christian life. And when they do, they have reason to wonder if they have attained unto this resurrection of the just.
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