Lesson 222: Philippians 3:13
The Blueprint — The Verse
Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,
Memorization Practice
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King James Version (KJV) — Public Domain.
The Context — The History
PaulPaul is the apostle who carried the message of Jesus into the Gentile world, transforming early Christianity through his missionary journeys, his letters, and his profound teaching on grace, faith, and the New Covenant. More warns against confidence in fleshly credentials — pedigree, zeal, righteousnessRighteousness is the state of being aligned with God’s character, will, and moral order. In Scripture, righteousness is both a standard and a relationship — living in harmony with God’s truth and receiving the right standing He provides through grace. It reflects integrity, justice, and faithful obedience shaped by God rather than human merit. More. He presses toward resurrectionResurrection is God’s act of raising the dead to new life — first seen in Christ’s victory over the grave, and ultimately fulfilled when all humanity is raised for judgment, transformation, and eternal destiny. More perfection with athletic imagery familiar in Greek games.
The Narrative — The Lead-Up
PaulPaul is the apostle who carried the message of Jesus into the Gentile world, transforming early Christianity through his missionary journeys, his letters, and his profound teaching on grace, faith, and the New Covenant. More counts former gains as loss for knowing ChristJesus of Nazareth, also called the Christ or the Messiah, is the central figure of the New Testament and the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan. Born in the line of David, He taught with divine authority, performed miracles, and revealed the kingdom of God. More. Not yet perfect, he forgets what lies behind and strains forward to the goal of God's upward call in ChristJesus of Nazareth, also called the Christ or the Messiah, is the central figure of the New Testament and the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan. Born in the line of David, He taught with divine authority, performed miracles, and revealed the kingdom of God. More.
The Echo — Follow-on Verses
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Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of ChristJesus of Nazareth, also called the Christ or the Messiah, is the central figure of the New Testament and the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan. Born in the line of David, He taught with divine authority, performed miracles, and revealed the kingdom of God. More JesusJesus of Nazareth, also called the Christ or the Messiah, is the central figure of the New Testament and the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan. Born in the line of David, He taught with divine authority, performed miracles, and revealed the kingdom of God. More.
Read the verse immediately before this lesson () to hear the lead-in to the passage.
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I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in ChristJesus of Nazareth, also called the Christ or the Messiah, is the central figure of the New Testament and the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan. Born in the line of David, He taught with divine authority, performed miracles, and revealed the kingdom of God. More JesusJesus of Nazareth, also called the Christ or the Messiah, is the central figure of the New Testament and the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan. Born in the line of David, He taught with divine authority, performed miracles, and revealed the kingdom of God. More.
Read the verse immediately after this lesson () to continue the passage.
Discussion
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What from your past do you need to leave behind?
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What goal is God calling you to strain toward?
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How does 'not yet' keep you humble and hungry?
