Philippians 3:12 Cross References - AUV

¹² [It is] not that I have already arrived at the goal [of spiritual maturity], or have already been made perfectly [righteous], but I am pushing onward in order to take hold of what Christ Jesus took hold of me for [i.e., to receive all that Christ intended for me].

³ And when he got close to Damascus, suddenly a [bright, See 22:6] light from the sky shone all around him. ⁴ He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" ⁵ Saul replied, "Who are you, sir?" And the voice said, "It is I, Jesus, whom you are persecuting, ⁶ but get up, and enter the city [of Damascus] and [there] you will be told what you must do."

¹⁵ But the Lord replied to him, "Go on your way, for Saul is someone I have especially chosen to carry my name to the [unconverted] Gentiles, kings and the Israelites.

¹⁹ For I do not do the good [things] I want to, but I practice the evil [things] I do not want to. ²⁰ But if I do what I do not want to, [then] I am no longer the one doing it, but [instead], it is sin which lives in me [i.e., that motivates such conduct]. ²¹ So, I find this principle [at work]: [Although] I want to do what is good, evil is [always] present [and often wins out]. ²² For in my heart I am delighted with God’s law, ²³ but I see a different law [at work] in my body, waging [spiritual] warfare against the law in my mind. It brings me into captivity to the law of sin in my body. ²⁴ What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body doomed to [spiritual] death?

¹⁰ but when that which is complete comes [i.e., the full revelation of God’s will, contained in the New Testament Scriptures], then the partial will be abolished [i.e., the supernatural gifts, which provided only part of the revealed will of God, will cease to be exercised].

¹ [So], since we have these promises [See 6:16-18], dear ones, we should purify ourselves from everything that pollutes [our] body and spirit while living lives completely separated [from sin], out of reverence for God.

⁹ For we are glad when we are weak and you are powerful. And we are also praying for your complete restoration [i.e., to spiritual maturity].

¹⁷ For what your body wants is in conflict with what the Holy Spirit wants [for you], and what the Holy Spirit wants conflicts with what your body wants, for these [two desires] are contrary to one another, so that you do not [always] do what you [really] want to.

⁴ Even before the creation of the world God chose us, who are in [fellowship with] Christ, to be dedicated [to Him] and to be without just blame in His sight. Out of love

¹² for the purpose of equipping the saints [i.e., God’s holy people] for the work of serving [others], in order to build up the [spiritual] body of Christ [i.e., the church].

¹³ Brothers, I consider that I, myself, have not yet taken hold [of Christ’s ultimate purpose for me]. But there is one thing that I am doing; I am forgetting about my past [See verses 5-7], and reaching forward to what lies ahead. ¹⁴ I am pushing onward toward the goal for the prize of the upward call [i.e., to heaven] from God in [fellowship with] Christ.

¹⁶ So, we should continue living by the same [standard] that we have [already] attained.

¹⁵ Make sure that no one does anything wrong to someone who wrongs him, but always look for something good you can do for one another and for everyone.

¹³ But we ought to thank God for you always, brothers [who are] dearly loved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning [Note: Some manuscripts use the Greek word for “firstfruits” instead of “beginning” here, but it is difficult to know in what sense the Thessalonian Christians were “first”], in order to be saved through being set apart by the Holy Spirit and through belief of the truth [of the Gospel].

¹⁰ having a reputation for doing good deeds, [such as] bringing up children, showing hospitality to strangers, washing the feet of the saints [i.e., God’s holy people], assisting people in trouble and devoting herself to doing all [other] kinds of good deeds.

¹¹ But you, man of God, run from these things [See verses 3-10], and pursue right living and godliness, having faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. ¹² Fight the good battle of the faith; take hold of never ending life, to which you were called [i.e., by the Gospel. See II Thess. 2:14], [when] you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. [Note: This “confession” probably refers to a person’s acknowledgment of Jesus as Lord and Christ prior to his immersion. See Acts 2:36; Rom. 10:9-10].

¹⁹ [In that way] they will store up for themselves a treasure [of never ending rewards] for providing a solid foundation for the future, so that they can take hold of the true life [i.e., in heaven].

¹⁴ Actively seek to live in peace with all people. And be dedicated to God, because no one will see God without this.

²³ and to the church of the firstborn ones [i.e., those who have received an inheritance from their Father], whose names are recorded in heaven. [See Luke 10:20]. [You have come] to God, who is the Judge of all people, and to the spirits of righteous people who have become [morally] perfect [i.e., that great company of God’s people who have gone on to their heavenly reward],

²¹ equip you with every good deed for doing God’s will. [May He] work in us [to accomplish] what is very pleasing in His sight through [the power of] Jesus Christ. May there be praise to Him forever and ever. May it be so.

² For we all make mistakes in many areas [of life]. If anyone does not make a mistake in what he says, he is a perfect person, capable of keeping a tight rein on his whole life also.

¹¹ He should turn away from wrong living and do what is good. He should desire peace and do whatever it takes to maintain it. ¹² For the Lord’s eyes see what the righteous person does and He hears their [earnest] prayers, but the Lord looks with disapproval on the person who does wrong.” ¹³ And who do you think would [try to] hurt you if you become enthusiastic for doing what is right?

¹⁰ And the God who bestows every unearned favor [upon His people], who invited you to partake of His eternal splendor through Christ Jesus, will restore, confirm, strengthen and stabilize you people [in the faith], after you have gone through a brief time of suffering.

⁵ And for this very reason, you people should make every effort to develop goodness along with your faith, ⁶ and knowledge along with your goodness, and self-control along with your knowledge, and endurance along with your self-control, and godliness along with your endurance, ⁷ and brotherly kindness along with your godliness, and with your brotherly kindness, develop love. ⁸ For if you people have a lot of these [qualities] they will keep you from being unproductive and unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

¹⁸ But grow in the unearned favor and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. May He be honored both now and forever. May it be so.