Philippians 3:15

Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. THEREFORE - resuming . PERFECT - full-grown (no longer 'babes') in the Christian life (, 'worshipping God in the Spirit, having no confidence in the flesh') (): established in the things of God; or, one fully fit for running (Bengel), observing the laws of the course (); sincere in seeking justification through Christ (). Though "perfect" in this sense, he was not yet 'made perfect' in the sense of...

15_As many as are perfect _Lest any one should understand this as spoken of the generality of mankind, as though he were explaining the simple elements to those that are mere children in Christ, he declares that it is a rule which all that are perfect ought to follow. Now, the rule is this — that we must renounce confidence in all things, that we may glory in Christ’s righteousness alone, and preferring it to everything else, aspire after a participation in his sufferings, which may be the means of conducting us to a blessed resurrection. Where now will be that state of perfection which monks dream of — where the confused medley of such contrivances — where, in short, the whole system of Popery, which is nothing else than an imaginary perfection, that has nothing in common with this rule of Paul? Undoubtedly, whoever will understand this single term, will clearly perceive that everything...

12-21 This simple dependence and earnestness of soul, were not mentioned as if the apostle had gained the prize, or were already made perfect in the Saviour's likeness. He forgot the things which were behind, so as not to be content with past labours or present measures of grace. He reached forth, stretched himself forward towards his point; expressions showing great concern to become more and more like unto Christ. He who runs a race, must never stop short of the end, but press forward as fast as he can; so those who have heaven in their view, must still press forward to it, in holy desires and hopes, and constant endeavours. Eternal life is the gift of God, but it is in Christ Jesus; through his hand it must come to us, as it is procured for us by him. There is no getting to heaven as our home, but by Christ as our Way. True believers, in seeking this assurance, as well as to glorify...

Verse 15. _AS MANY AS BE PERFECT_] As many as are _thoroughly_ _instructed_ in Divine things, who have cast off all dependence on the law and on every other system for salvation, and who discern God calling them from _above_ by Christ Jesus; _be thus minded_; be intensely in earnest for eternal life, nor ever halt till the race is finished. The word τελειοι, _perfect_, is taken here in the same sense in which it is taken 1 Corinthians 14:20:- _Be not_ CHILDREN _in understanding-but in understanding be ye_ MEN, τελειοι γινεσθε, _be ye perfect_-thoroughly instructed, deeply experienced. 1 Corinthians 2:6:- _We speak wisdom among the perfect_, εν τοις τελειοις, among those who are _fully instructed, adults_ in Ch

LET US THEREFORE, AS MANY AS BE PERFECT - see the notes at Philippians 3:12. Or, rather, those who would be perfect; or who are aiming at perfection. It can hardly be supposed that the apostle would address them as already perfect, when he had just said of himself that lie had not attained to that state. But those whom he addressed might be supposed to be aiming at perfection, and he exhorts them, therefore, to have the same spirit that he himself had, and to make the same efforts which he himself put forth. BE THUS MINDED - That is, be united in the effort to obtain the prize, and to become entirely perfect. “Let them put forth the same effort which I do, forgetting what is behind, and pressing forward to the mark.” AND IF IN ANYTHING YE BE OTHERWISE MINDED - That is,

EXPOSITION PHILIPPIANS 3:1 FINALLY, MY BRETHREN, REJOICE IN THE LORD. This word "finally" (τὸ λοιπόν is frequently used by St. Paul to introduce a practical conclusion after the doctrinal portion of his Epistles: thus it occurs again in Philippians 4:8, and also in 2 Corinthians 13:11; Ephesians 6:10; 1Th 4:1; 2 Thessalonians 2:1. Some render χαίρετε_ _"farewell;" but "rejoice" seems more suitable here. The golden thread of spiritual joy runs through t

LET US THEREFORE, AS MANY AS BE PERFECT,.... Not absolutely, but comparatively, with respect to other believers, in a lower class of knowledge and experience; and not with respect to degrees, but parts; and regards such who were not children, but of riper age in divine things, unless the words are spoken ironically: BE THUS MINDED; as the apostle was, to count what were gain to him, loss for Christ; to reckon all things but loss and dung, for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ; to be willing to suffer the loss of all things, to win him, Philippians 3:8; to desire to be found in him, and in his righteousness, and not a man's own, Philippians 3:9; to know more of him in his person, righteousness, sufferings, death, and resurrection from the dead,...

Philippians 3:1. _Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord._ As much as to say, «If this were the last sentence that I should write to you, I would say, Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord.' It is your privilege, it is your duty, to rejoice in God; not in your health, your wealth, your children, your prosperity, but in the Lord.» There is the unchanging and unbounded source of joy. It will do you no harm to rejoice in the Lord; the more you rejoice in him, the more spiritually-minded will you become. «Finally, my brethren.» That is, even to the end, not with you the bitter end; but even to the end of life, rejoice in the Lord. Make this the finis of everything, the end of every day, the end of every year, the end of life. «Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord.» Blessed is that religion in which it is a duty to be happy....

PERFECT (_ See Scofield) - (Matthew 5:48). _...

PHILIPPIANS 3:15 fronw/men {A} In place of the hortatory subjunctive, which is appropriate in the context, the indicative is read by a L and a few other witnesses, probably through scribal inadvertence....