10 And this, so that I may KNOW Him [experientially, becoming more thoroughly acquainted with Him, understanding the remarkable wonders of His Person more completely] and [in that same way experience] the power of His resurrection [which overflows and is active in believers], and [that I may share] the fellowship of His sufferings, by being continually conformed [inwardly into His likeness even] to His death [dying as He did]; 11 so that I may attain to the resurrection [that will raise me] from the dead.12 Not that I have already obtained it [this goal of being Christlike] or have already been made perfect, but I actively press on so that I may take hold of that [perfection] for which Christ Jesus took hold of me and made me His own.13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider that I have made it my own yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the [heavenly] prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Phil 3:10-14
Q & A：
- What does the expression “knowing God” truly mean? How does awareness of God’s holiness help us understand the necessity of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross? (Philippians 3:10a; John 17:3; Psalm 99:9; Hebrews 9:22; 2 Corinthians 5:21)
- What is the best evidence of God’s love and goodness? Discuss Jesus’ involvement in the plan of our justification. (Romans 5:9; Galatians 3:13-14; 1 John 4:8; Acts 10:38; James 1:17)
- How does the power of the resurrected Christ affect our lives? Describe some of the characteristics of the victorious life in Christ. (Philippians 3:10b; Ephesians 1:19-20; Ephesians 3:16,19; Romans 8:2,11; 2 Peter 1:3-4)
- Explain the character of Christ’s suffering. What does it mean that we are to choose to love rather than fight? (Philippians 3:10c; Matthew 16:24)