PHILIPPIANS 3: 12-17
When we speak of "spiritual progress" in this topic we refer to the development, growth, advancement and spiritual projection of the believer, of a church, of a ministry, a leader. For this purpose we will use this biblical passage: the metaphor of the athlete who runs the race and strives to reach the goal and thus obtain the prize; a corruptible crown of laurel (1 Corinthians 9: 24-27). Let's see what to do:
Reach (Gr. Katalambano): the same Greek word for "Asir" or "To grasp" and means to take longing, seize, possess, lay hold, receive, have, obtain, perform, do, carry out, conquer, achieve (DHH) ), achieve (NIV). Already: it is an adjective and a distributive conjunction that serves to give emphasis, with which the past tense or in the present tense is denoted by relating to the past, also in time or future occasion and which means: immediately, finally, lately, everything ( DHH) or still. The Apostle Paul was aware that everything had not already reached him and he understood it, he had it very clear, well present, in account and pending. He recognized it and accepted it with all humility, simplicity and sincerity of heart. The Apostle Paul had his feet on the ground: he did not boast, he did not boast of having achieved, achieved, achieved, done, accomplished, obtained, conquered, won, understood everything, nor is he presuming to have already finished the race and arrived at the goal.
On the contrary, I knew that there was still more to finish and arrive and he proved it by being reiterative about this great truth, with himself and with the Philippians (v. 12a, 13a); church that he founded on the second missionary journey (Acts 16: 11-40). He did not even "pretend" (Gr. Katalambano) (v. 13a): think it (NVI), say it (VP), consider it (PDT), keep track (RV, 2000). He never believed, nor went through his mind that he had already reached, achieved, achieved and done everything. Nor did he want the church in Philippi to "pretend" or think about it, much less expect them to have such a high opinion of himself: "Please brothers, DO NOT THINK OF ME that I have such a high opinion of myself ..." (Another translation) (v. 13a) (Romans 12: 3).
This declaration is important and interesting because it is not said by a failure, defeated, but by a man who had experienced successes, triumphs, victories, personal, spiritual and ministerial achievements. Nor is a carnal but spiritual man saying it (1 Corinthians 2: 14-16; 3: 1; 14: 37; 15: 46; Galatians 6: 1; Colossians 1: 9; 1 Peter 2: 5), a true believer. , converted and won by Jesus Christ, near Damascus as a chosen instrument (Acts 9: 1-15). This statement is also important because of the negative and unfavorable circumstances in which he was at that moment when he wrote the epistle or the letter to the Philippians: imprisoned in Rome (first imprisonment) and for what still had to be done, achieved, achieved, conquer, travel until you arrive. See the personal and ministerial achievements and achievements of the Apostle Paul.
Perfect (gr Teleióo / s): an adjective used in several biblical passages with reference to believers. Here this verse 12 means to complete or complete, consummate (in character), finish, fulfill, finish or finish (Luke 12: 32), full, fulfilling its purpose, which has reached its end (finished). It is not to the perfection of not having sin, but to the state of not missing anything (that nothing is missing), "consummated" (John 19: 30). It does not refer to spiritual maturity as if in verse 15. It rather emphasizes the final and total perfection that is achieved in the resurrection (v. 10, 11, 22) (Daniel 12: 2; John 5:29; Acts 24:15, 1 Corinthians 15:23, 1 Thessalonians 4:16). By much spiritual maturity (verse 15), we have not yet arrived, nor reached final perfection, total or in everything! (v. 12)
I continue (Gr. Dioko / Stoijeo): I persecute, persecute or persecute (the goal) or I go running after it (the goal) and not Christ as before his conversion near Damascus. It also means effort or effort (another translation). Go forward (DHH), move forward (NIV), go, follow, march and advance militarily, keep pace and walk orderly. This implies action and movement (Exodus 14: 15) (DHH). For what purposes?
