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However, I consider those things that were gain to me as a loss for Christ.
Verse 4–7. If any other thinketh he may have confidence in the flesh, in being of the Jewish race and of their religion, I more; that is I have greater reasons to glory than they have, being circumcised of the stock of Israel, and so forth—But what things, and so forth as soon as I was miraculously called to the knowledge and faith of Christ. Witham.
Yes most certainly, and I count all things to be a loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord, for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and count them nothing but refuse, that I may gain Christ
and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own, that which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith,
Verse 9. I may be found in him not having my justice, which is of the law; that is not pretending to be justified either by my own works or by the works of the Jewish law, but by that which proceedeth from faith in Christ, and by his merits. Witham.—Saint Augustine expounds the sense thus: not that justice which is in God, or by which God is just, but that which is in man from God, and by his gifts. l. 3. cont. 2. ep. Pelag.
that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming conformed to his death,
Verse 10. That I may know him. This knowledge of Christ the apostle prefers to all honours and advantages accruing from his adherence to the synagogue.
if by any means I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Verse 11. If by any means I may attain to the resurrection, which is from the dead; that is may attain to a happy resurrection, when the dead shall rise again. Witham.—This manner of expression does not betray any distrust or fear, but merely insinuates the difficulty of the enterprise, the uncertainty of success, and the ardent desire of the apostle, who sought by every means to arrive at this happiness, either by sufferings and labours, or even by martyrdom. Saint John Chrysostom Estius.
Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect; but I press on, that I may take hold of that for which also I was taken hold of by Christ Jesus.
Verse 12. Not as though I had already attained the happiness I hope for, or am now become perfect as to that perfection in virtue, which I must always endeavour to increase in; but, like a person still running a race for a prize, I pursue and run as well as I can, I stretch myself with perseverance towards [2] the mark, forgetting that part of the course which I had made. Let all of us, though perfect as to the knowledge of the mysteries we are to believe, be of this mind, that we are still to advance in the way of Christian perfection; and if any of you be of another mind, and think otherwise, God will reveal to you and teach you this truth, that we may all continue in the same rule of doctrine and discipline. We may here take notice with Saint John Chrysostom that it is not enough to believe, or have the true faith, but that we must strive and labour to the end in the way of perfection; secondly that Saint Paul did not look upon himself absolutely certain of his salvation: and how much greater presumption would this be in us? Witham.
Brothers, I don’t regard myself as yet having taken hold, but one thing I do: forgetting the things which are behind and stretching forward to the things which are before,
Verse 13. I do not count myself. That is, I do not suppose that vain security is sufficient to put my salvation out of doubt, and that Christ having died, nothing remains for me to do. No; I consider myself as a wrestler at the games, uncertain of success. Calmet.
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.