JMNT(i)
12 Not that I already take it by the hand [
p46 & D add: or already have been rightwised and made to be one in accord with the Way pointed out with fairness and equity]
or have been already brought to the purposed goal and destiny (matured unto perfection and finished),
yet I am consistently pursuing (running swiftly in order to catch),
since I would (or: if I could)
take down by the hand (seize; forcefully grasp and gain control over)
even [
that]
upon which I also was (or: am)
taken down by hand (seized; forcefully grasped and taken control of)
by and under [
the control of]
Christ Jesus.
13 Brothers (= Fellow believers; = [My] family)!
I am not [other MSS: not yet]
calculating (logically considering; reckoning)
myself to have taken it down by hand (seized, grasped or gotten hold of it in order to have it),
yet [
there is]
one thing: habitually forgetting, on the one hand, the things behind (or: in the back),
and on the other hand constantly reaching and stretching myself out upon the things in front (or: ahead),
14 I am continuously pressing forward, pursuing down toward [the; or: an]
object in view (a mark on which the eye is fixed):
into the awarded contest prize of God's (or: the award which is God's)
invitation to an above place (or: an upward calling having the source from, with qualities and characteristics of, God)
within the midst of and in union with Christ Jesus.
15 Therefore – as many as [
are]
people who are mature (ones who have reached the goal, being finished and complete) –
we should constantly be of this frame of mind (have this attitude and opinion; think this way; be minding and paying attention to this).
And if you folks are habitually thinking differently (are continuing differently minded; are continually having a different attitude or opinion),
God will also proceed in unveiling this to you (or: uncovering and revealing, or disclosing, this in you).
16 Moreover, into that which we precede [
others]
(or: into what we went before in; into what we come ahead so as to arrive at; = unto whatever stage we have reached)
in the very same thing [
our goal is]
to be habitually drawn into a straight line and consistently advance within our ranks [Aleph2 and other MSS add phrases to read as follows: Besides, into what we outstrip {others}, by the same standard (measuring rod; rule) {it is for us} to habitually advance in line (i.e., frame our conduct in an orderly routine; or: consider the elements and observe the rudimentary principles by the same standard) – to constantly be intent on and keep thinking of the same thing (or: be of the same frame of mind and attitude)].