Having said "that I may attain," he confirms this by saying: I spoke so uncertainly because I have not yet attained the prize, I have not yet been perfected.
Phil. 3:12. But I press on, if I may also lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.
He says: I am still in the struggle, still pressing forward, whether I might somehow attain the end and the reward. Then, showing that this is his duty, he adds: for this very reason "Christ laid hold of me," that is, when I was among the lost and rejected, Christ pursued me and overtook me as I was fleeing, and turned me back to Himself. Therefore I myself must also pursue Him, so that I may overtake Him. He said very expressively: "I press on," because one who presses on pays no attention to anything else except that toward which he presses on, overlooking everything, even what is most dear and most necessary. So we too must hasten, paying no attention to any obstacles.
Phil. 3:13. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended;
Since he had previously praised the Philippians greatly, now, humbling their thoughts, he says: I too, your teacher, do not yet consider myself to have attained full perfection — just as if someone were to say of a runner that he has not yet completed the entire course. How then does he say in another place: "I have finished the course" (2 Tim. 4:7)? But he said that in view of death.
Phil. 3:13. but only, forgetting what is behind and reaching forward,
I do one thing, he says, I strive for one thing only — to always move forward. I forget the deeds I have accomplished and leave them behind, and I do not recall them at all, and thus I press forward toward what I still lack. For he who thinks he has already completed the course stops, as though he has already fulfilled everything. What then does "reaching forth" mean? It means trying to grasp something before having reached it; it means outrunning one's feet, though already running, with the rest of the body, leaning forward — which comes from great zeal.
Phil. 3:14. I press toward the goal, toward the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
I, he says, run not aimlessly, but fix my gaze upon the goal. And what is this goal? "The prize of the high calling," that is, of the incorruptible one, which is in the heavens; because the contest takes place below, but the crown is above, in the brightness of the saints. For even a king, bestowing greater honor upon the contestants, crowns them by summoning them to the heights. In order to show that everything is done with the help of Christ, without which even the contest is unsuccessful, he says: "in Christ Jesus," that is, with His assistance.
Phil. 3:15. Therefore, as many of us as are perfect, let us be thus minded;
What then is this? It is to forget what is behind. It is the mark of a perfect man not to consider himself perfect; for perfection consists in not relying on oneself.
Phil. 3:15. If you think otherwise about anything, God will reveal this to you as well.
Here Paul encourages the Philippians: if, he says, you think that you have done everything, then God will show you, as to those who do not know, what is proper. This is said concerning the perfection of life and so that they would not consider themselves perfect.
Phil. 3:16. Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us mind the same thing, and let us walk by the same rule.
What, he says, we have done until now, that we must also hold to, that is, unity of mind and peace; "and live by that rule," that is, by the same faith and for the same goal. For a rule admits neither addition nor subtraction. Therefore, do not transgress the commandments of the Holy Spirit.
Phil. 3:17. Be imitators of me, brethren, and observe those who walk according to the pattern which you have in us.
Above he said: "beware of dogs," and thus distanced the Philippians from them. Now he draws them near to those who lead a good life; for this is what "mark" means, that is, pay attention to them and, seeing in them the original pattern, imitate them; as in me you have an example, so also in them. For he taught them not only by words, but also in his life and conduct he showed himself as an example; and in this consists perfect teaching.
Phil. 3:18. For many, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even with tears,
He does not name such people by name, so as not to cause agitation, but still gives the Philippians an idea of them when he says: "of whom I often told you." And now, since the evil has increased and spread, I cannot even remember them without tears. Do you see his compassion? He wept not over his own vices (for he had none), but over the fact that others lived without being aware of their vices and in pleasures.
Phil. 3:18. They act as enemies of the cross of Christ.
Some hypocritically professed Christianity, but lived in pleasures and comfort, and it is these whom the apostle calls enemies of the cross. Because the cross seeks a soul ready for death, thirsting for danger. But they are free from this and live in a manner completely opposite to it. If they loved the cross, they would love the cruciform life, that is, a bitter life. After this, shall we not tremble at the thought that he who is a friend of luxury, earthly comfort, and security is an enemy of the cross of Christ?
Phil. 3:19. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly,
Because they serve him as God and seek to please him in every way. For some, money is their god; for others, the belly; about them Paul says in another place: "let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die" (1 Cor. 15:32). Behold, a new form of idolatry.
Phil. 3:19. and their glory is in their shame,
Some understand this as referring to circumcision, which they considered a glory, but which is in reality a disgrace. But this is incorrect; through this he shows their foolishness. For those who sin ought to be ashamed and hide themselves; but they consider it a glory for themselves.