15. Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, be thus minded: and if in anything ye are otherwise minded, this also shall God reveal unto you: 16. only whereunto we have attained, by that same rule let us walk.

Translation and Paraphrase

15. Therefore let as many of us as are full-grown (mature, perfect, fully developed in Christian attitudes) think this same (way about our progress as Christians). And if any one (of you) think otherwise (about your Christian progress) God will reveal this (truth) to you (in due time, and convince you that I was right about it).
16. But (whatever your feelings about our goal for life may be, I urge) only (this, that we) live by the same (standard) unto which we have attained(live in accordance with the best knowledge and feelings you have gained).

Notes

1.

Philippians 3:15-16 form a concluding exhortation to the preceding material. Paul urged those who considered themselves spiritually perfect (mature, or full-grown) to realize that they had to continue pressing on toward the heavenly goal, even as he did. If there were some among Paul's readers who did not feel about this as Paul felt, and thought that they were already fully attained, Paul did not quarrel with them, but only urged them to live according to the best knowledge and best feelings they then had. He adds the mild, perhaps half-humorous, rebuke, that if in any respect they did not now agree with Paul's views about the Christian life, that God would in due time reveal to them the truthfulness of Paul's position.

2.

Most of us would be much better Christians if we only lived fully up to the things we now know we should do. How much more would we be excellent servants of God if we had a dedication like Paul'S, who said, One thing I do, forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before, I press on.

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