Philippians 3:12

Paul denies having already arrived at perfection and instead presses on to lay hold of Christ's purpose for him. The Christian life is ongoing pursuit, not arrival.

Cross-references · 37

• 1 Tim 6:11–12But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
• 2 Pet 1:5–8And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
• Ps 138:8The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.
• Hos 6:3Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.
• 1 Pet 3:11–13Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
• 2 Cor 7:1Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
• Isa 51:1Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the LORD: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged.
• Heb 13:21Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
• Eph 1:4According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
• Phil 3:13–14Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
• Phil 3:16Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
• Heb 12:14Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
• Gal 5:17For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
• Jas 3:2For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
• 2 Pet 3:18But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
• Rom 7:19–24For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
• Ps 63:1–3O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;
• Job 17:9The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger.
• 1 Pet 5:10But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
• Ps 84:2My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.
• Ps 63:8My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.
• Ps 119:5O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!
• Eph 4:12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
• 2 Cor 13:9For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.
• Prov 4:18But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
• 2 Th 2:13But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
• 1 Th 5:15See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
• 1 Cor 13:10But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
• Ps 119:173–176Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts.
• 1 Tim 6:19Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
• Acts 9:15But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
• Acts 9:3–6And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
• 1 Tim 5:10Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.
• Heb 12:23To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
• Ps 94:15But judgment shall return unto righteousness: and all the upright in heart shall follow it.
• Ps 110:2–3The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.
• Ps 42:1As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.

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