Pressing On

A Journey Through the Cross to Glory

Verse by Verse Study of Philippians 3:10-21

Key Themes: Knowing Christ, Pursuing Maturity, Living as Citizens of Heaven

📚 Introduction

The apostle Paul wrote his letter to the Philippians from a Roman prison—confined, uncertain of his future, and yet filled with joy. Paul, formerly Saul of Tarsus, had every reason to boast in his religious heritage and scholarly achievements. In Philippians 3:5–6, he lists his impeccable credentials: “Circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.” Trained under the great rabbi Gamaliel, Paul stood at the pinnacle of Jewish intellectual and spiritual life. But everything changed when he encountered the risen Christ. In Philippians 3:7–9, Paul makes a stunning confession: all that once gave him status, meaning, and security he now considers “loss” and even “rubbish,” in light of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus his Lord.

This reversal is more than an intellectual shift—it’s the reorientation of Paul’s entire identity. He is no longer seeking to establish righteousness by human effort or legal performance, but to be “found in Christ,” clothed in a righteousness that comes through faith. His longing is no longer for personal advancement but for deep union with the crucified and risen Jesus. In verse 10, he declares: “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings.” Paul wants to know Jesus as Friend in fellowship, as Savior in suffering and resurrection, and as Lord in surrender and obedience—even unto death.

This portion of Paul’s letter comes in the context of deep personal reflection, pastoral concern, and lasting partnership. The Philippian church—formed by early converts like Lydia, the Philippian jailer, and their households—remained faithful to Paul through hardship. They had supported him financially and prayerfully, even sending Epaphroditus to care for him in prison. Their gifts reminded Paul that the gospel had not only reached their city but had taken root in their hearts. Paul writes back, not just to thank them, but to lift their vision beyond earthly trials to the hope of resurrection glory. This study, Pressing On: A Journey Through the Cross to Glory, invites us to join that same journey—of surrender, intimacy, and hope—as we follow Jesus from the cross to the crown.

🙏 A Prayer to Know and Follow Christ

Heavenly Father,

We come before You with open hearts, longing not merely to know about You, but to know You—personally, deeply, and truly. As we begin this journey through Paul’s words, open our eyes to behold the beauty of Christ, even in the midst of suffering. Teach us to listen for His voice calling us forward—not to comfort or ease, but to truth, transformation, and the hope that endures forever.

Lord Jesus, help us to know You as our Friend, our Savior, and our Lord. Teach us, like Paul, to count all things loss for the sake of gaining You. Stir within us a holy desire to press on—not through our own strength, but through the power of Your resurrection. Shape us through the cross into Your likeness. Unite us, as You united the Philippians, in joyful partnership for the gospel.

And as we walk this path of faith, remind us that the way marked by suffering always leads to glory. Let our hearts rest in You, our eternal prize and joy.

In Your holy name we pray,

Amen.

Philippians 3:10 — The Passion to Know Christ  - as Friend, Savior, and Lord

“I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.”

Paul writes, “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.” This yearning is not for theological knowledge alone but for a deep, transforming friendship with Jesus. The Greek word ginosko denotes a kind of knowing that is experiential, intimate, and lifelong. Paul isn’t pursuing information—he’s seeking communion. Like the disciples who walked and talked with Jesus, Paul desires to walk with Christ in every circumstance. Jesus called His disciples “friends” (John 15:15), and that invitation extends to us. To know Him as Friend is to be known, loved, and accompanied even in our darkest valleys. It is to walk with someone who listens, understands, and strengthens us along the way.

Yet this friendship is anchored in salvation. Paul longs to know “the power of [Christ’s] resurrection,” which is not merely a future hope, but a present, ongoing experience of Jesus as Savior. The same power that raised Christ from the grave is at work in us now, delivering us from sin’s grip and empowering us to live new lives (Romans 8:11). But this saving relationship also draws us into Christ’s sufferings—because to know Jesus fully is to share in His costly love. Paul’s discipleship includes a cruciform pattern: becoming like Jesus in death, surrendering ego, ambition, and comfort to gain the surpassing worth of Christ. This echoes Jesus’ own call: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23).

This is where Jesus as Lord is revealed. Paul’s path is not one of self-will, but of joyful submission. He does not aim to avoid suffering but to follow Christ through it. Dr. Paul Brand, who served among leprosy patients in India, discovered that suffering, far from being meaningless, became a means of intimacy with Christ. Like a sculptor with chisel and hammer, God forms us through trials. Dallas Willard affirmed that the greatest reality we can live into is a moment-by-moment relationship with the risen Christ—not an idea, but a Person who transforms us. Paul’s cry, “I want to know Christ,” becomes not only a spiritual goal but a daily act of surrender to Jesus as Friend who walks with us, Savior who raises us, and Lord who calls us forward.

Philippians 3:11 — The Hope of Resurrection-Jesus Our Risen Savior and Coming King

“And so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.”

Paul continues: “And so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.” At first glance, the word “somehow” may appear uncertain, but in context, it reflects humility and reverence, not doubt. Paul is not questioning the promise of resurrection—he is overwhelmed by the mystery and mercy of it. This kind of resurrection life is not earned by effort but received as a gift from Jesus our Savior. The power that raised Christ is not distant—it is already at work in the believer’s life. Peter wrote, “In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3). Paul does not place confidence in credentials or performance, but in the unwavering grace of the God who brings life from death.

This resurrection hope brings transformation now. William Barclay observed that Paul approached divine mysteries with a sense of awe, never reducing them to intellectual mastery. The resurrection is not a theory to be dissected but a reality to be lived. For Corrie ten Boom, who endured the terrors of Ravensbrück, this hope was more than theological—it was practical and sustaining. She trusted the risen Christ amid suffering because she knew His character. Similarly, Calvin affirmed: “No one has made progress in the school of Christ who does not joyfully await the day of death and final resurrection.” Paul’s anticipation of resurrection is not escapism—it’s the joyful confidence that our Savior who conquered death will one day raise us, body and soul, into eternal life.

Finally, resurrection hope anchors us in the lordship of Christ. Paul’s use of “somehow” is not uncertainty about the outcome but awe at the sovereign grace of the Lord who makes it possible. He is not in control—but Jesus is. And it is Jesus, the crucified and risen King, who will bring us safely home. As C.S. Lewis said, “The first fact in the history of Christendom is a number of people who say they have seen the resurrection.” Our faith rests not on myth, but on the living reality of Jesus as Friend who walks with us, Savior who redeems us, and Lord who will return to make all things new. Paul invites us to live with feet firmly planted in the present, but hearts joyfully oriented toward the coming kingdom—pressing on with confidence, because Christ is risen, and we are His.

Philippians 3:12 — Pressing On with Purpose

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.”

Paul shifts from desire to determination. Having just expressed his longing to know Christ in resurrection and suffering, he now confesses that he has not yet arrived. This is no false humility—Paul, an apostle and seasoned missionary, freely admits that spiritual maturity is a journey, not a destination. He is “pressing on,” chasing after the very purpose for which Christ laid hold of him. Salvation, for Paul, is not static; it is a living, dynamic relationship in which he is continually being shaped by grace. His striving is not for approval but from it. Christ has already taken hold of him—now Paul runs to live out that calling. He is not obsessed with perfection but with purpose.

John Stott often emphasized that grace is not opposed to effort, only to earning. Paul presses on because grace compels him. Eugene Peterson captured this sense of forward motion in his paraphrase: “I’m not saying that I have this all together… but I’m well on my way.” Similarly, E. Stanley Jones described the Christian life as a holy obsession with becoming the person God created us to be. Paul’s vision is not shaped by the past or by self-assessment, but by the upward call of Christ. His aim is not self-improvement but Christ-conformity. Knowing that Jesus had already “taken hold” of him fills Paul with holy urgency—he’s not running aimlessly, but pursuing the One who first pursued him.

Philippians 3:13–14 — Forgetting and Reaching Forward

“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 towards what is ahead, I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus.”

Paul continues his metaphor of the Christian life as a race, emphasizing focus, urgency, and perseverance. He speaks with honesty and singular devotion—“one thing I do.” That phrase signals the clarity of his purpose. Paul is not distracted by past achievements or failures. He leaves them behind, not because they are unimportant, but because they must not define or limit his pursuit of Christ. The word “straining” suggests stretching every muscle, pushing through fatigue, and fixing one’s eyes on the finish line. He runs not for a worldly crown but for the upward call of God—the prize of being with Christ and becoming like Him. For Paul, the past is the platform, not the prison; the future is where grace keeps calling.

This spiritual mindset echoes what Mother Teresa often lived and taught—that each day is a fresh opportunity to love God wholeheartedly. Yesterday’s successes or mistakes cannot hold us back if our eyes are fixed on Jesus. Alexander Maclaren wrote that we must leave both regrets and achievements at the foot of the cross, lest we lose the joy and purpose of today’s calling. To press on is not just to endure but to hope actively—to live forward with confidence that Christ is calling us into ever-deeper fellowship with Him. The runner’s heart is set not on the track behind, but on the prize ahead—on the upward call of God in Christ Jesus, whose voice compels us forward with grace, not guilt, and whose presence is the true reward of every step.

Philippians 3:15–16 — The Call to Maturity

“All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained.”

Here Paul turns from personal testimony to pastoral encouragement. He appeals to the spiritually “mature” to adopt the same mindset of humble perseverance and focused pursuit. Christian maturity, in Paul’s view, is not marked by pride in spiritual knowledge, but by an awareness of how far we still have to go. He acknowledges that believers may not all be in the same place of understanding, but he entrusts the process of revelation to God. Rather than demanding conformity, Paul points to the Spirit’s gentle work of clarification and conviction. What matters most is not that we all have perfect theology, but that we all walk faithfully in the truth we’ve already received

William Law, in his classic A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life, reminds us that Christian maturity is not found in eloquence or emotion, but in a life surrendered to God’s will. Donald Coggan emphasized that maturity is proven in obedience—how we live out what we believe. Paul says: live up to what you’ve already attained. In other words, don’t just seek deeper insight—practice what you already know. Maturity is not a trophy but a lifestyle marked by humility, discipline, and growth. God is patient with our differing perspectives, but He calls us all to keep in step with the Spirit, walking forward together in unity and grace.

Philippians 3:17 — Imitating the Imitators of Christ

“Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.”

Paul invites the Philippians to follow his example—not out of arrogance, but because he is following Christ. Discipleship is not meant to be abstract or isolated; it is embodied in real lives. Paul knows that spiritual truth is best learned not just through teaching but through imitation. We all need living models—people who reflect Christ’s character in ordinary faithfulness, endurance, and joy. Paul’s appeal is communal: “join together.” This is not a solo pursuit of holiness, but a shared journey shaped by Christ-centered mentors and companions. He invites the church to watch those whose lives match the gospel and to walk together in the same direction.

Lesslie Newbigin often described the church as a “sign, instrument, and foretaste” of the kingdom of God. In a world that is skeptical of words, he believed that it is the lives of believers that make the gospel visible and credible. Matthew Henry echoes this when he writes that ministers should not only preach the truth but live it, becoming patterns for the flock. In a time when celebrity and platform can distort true influence, Paul’s example reminds us to look for models of integrity, humility, and sacrifice. True Christian leadership points beyond itself to Jesus. And faithful Christian living—however quiet or unseen—offers others a glimpse of what it means to walk in His way.

Thomas à Kempis, in The Imitation of Christ, reminds us that following Jesus is more than admiring Him: “It is not learning that makes a man holy and just, but a virtuous life makes him dear to God.” He urges believers to imitate not only the teachings of Christ but His humility, patience, and obedience. He writes, “Jesus has many lovers of His heavenly kingdom, but few bearers of His Cross.” In this spirit, Paul’s call to imitation is a call to live cruciform lives—lives shaped by the pattern of the Cross. Imitating others who walk that path is not weakness, but wisdom born of humility.

Philippians 3:18–19 — A Warning Against Worldliness

“For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things.”

Paul’s words in this passage are not abstract theological observations; they are soaked in tears. He speaks not with anger, but with heartbreak—for those who once claimed Christ now live as enemies of His cross. These are people who may have appeared spiritual outwardly, but their hearts are governed by worldly appetites. “Their god is their stomach”—a striking image for those ruled by desire, whether that be greed, gluttony, pride, or sensuality. Their boast is in things that should humble them. And while their mouths may speak of faith, their minds are consumed with earthly matters: comfort, status, indulgence, and control. Paul calls the Philippians—and us—not just to notice such lives, but to examine our own. Are we shaped by the cross or by convenience?

This warning echoes with painful clarity in our own time. Today, many who claim to represent Christ in churches and ministries bear an eerily similar profile: their appetites—not Jesus—guide their decisions. Headlines remind us that scandals involving money, sex, and power have plagued leaders who once proclaimed the gospel. Pastors who preach prosperity while exploiting the poor; spiritual leaders who call for holiness while concealing abuse; influencers who build personal brands rather than serve the body of Christ. Like the Judaizers in Paul’s day, such figures distort the gospel by shifting its focus—away from Christ crucified and risen, and toward self-promotion, image management, or nationalistic ambition. These betrayals do not merely discredit individuals—they discredit the very message of grace, leaving many wounded and disillusioned.

Paul weeps because he knows what is at stake: when the cross is emptied of its power by self-serving lives, people drift from the narrow road that leads to life. C.S. Lewis warned that the road to hell is a “gentle slope, soft underfoot”—and indeed, many slip not through open rebellion, but subtle compromise. William Barclay rightly said, “When the body’s desires become the ruling force, shame follows.” These verses are not just a rebuke—they are a plea. Paul is calling us back to the cruciform life, to a way marked not by indulgence or control, but by humility, suffering, and love. In a culture that often worships success, Paul invites us to worship a Savior who died in shame to raise us in glory. The question remains for each of us: are we living cross-shaped lives—or comfort-shaped ones?

Philippians 3:20 — Our True Citizenship

“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,”

In stark contrast to those whose minds are fixed on earthly things, Paul reminds the Philippians of their true identity: citizens of heaven. Though they live in a Roman colony and enjoy the privileges of Roman citizenship, their highest allegiance is to Christ, not Caesar. This verse would have resonated deeply with Philippians, who took great pride in being Roman citizens. But Paul reframes their identity around a different empire—one ruled by the risen King. To be a citizen of heaven is to live under Christ’s rule now, even while awaiting His return. It means living by heaven’s values—humility, justice, love, and holiness—right in the midst of a broken world.

Eugene Peterson paraphrased it this way: “But there’s far more to life for us. We’re citizens of high heaven! We’re waiting the arrival of the Savior, the Master, Jesus Christ.” J.B. Lightfoot, writing on this verse, observed that just as Philippi was a colony of Rome, so the church is a colony of heaven—an outpost of God’s kingdom. Thomas à Kempis urges the believer to set their heart on things above: “Lift up your eyes to heaven. Behold there your inheritance. Your true home is not here.” The call of this verse is both comforting and challenging: we are not at home in the systems of this world, yet we are called to live faithfully within them, bearing witness to a kingdom that is coming. To eagerly await the Savior is not passive—it’s a hopeful, expectant posture that shapes how we speak, serve, and sacrifice today.

This verse anchors Christian hope in the return of Jesus Christ. We don’t look to governments, policies, or human achievement to save us. We look to the One who has already conquered sin and death and will one day return to make all things new. The Christian life, then, is not a retreat from the world but a readiness within it—a joyful, watchful waiting that influences how we love our neighbors and resist the pull of earthly idols.

Philippians 3:21 — The Promise of Transformation

“who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.”

Paul concludes this section with a radiant vision of the future: the transformation of our frail, mortal bodies into glorious, resurrection bodies like Christ’s. This is not metaphor but promise. The same power by which Christ reigns over all things is the power that will renew us entirely. This transformation is not just physical—it is cosmic and comprehensive. What is now subject to decay will be clothed with immortality. What is now weak will be raised in strength. The Christian hope is not to escape the body but to have it redeemed and glorified, reflecting the image of the risen Lord. This truth gives meaning to our waiting and dignity to our earthly lives.

Dr. Paul Brand, who studied the human body in its most broken forms, believed that the resurrection was the ultimate affirmation of God’s love for the physical. He saw in every joint and cell the fingerprints of divine intention—and looked forward to their renewal. John Stott called this transformation “the final installment of our salvation.” Maclaren wrote that the resurrection body would be both continuity and newness—recognizably us, but fully conformed to Christ. Thomas à Kempis reminds us that we should “prepare ourselves daily for death and for eternity,” for this glorious change will not be an accident but the consummation of a life already surrendered to Christ. And Corrie ten Boom once said, “The best is yet to come.” That is what Paul affirms here—the best is still ahead.

The promise of a glorified body is not escapism; it’s the foundation for endurance, holiness, and joy. Our Savior not only saves our souls—He will one day raise and renew our bodies. In a world where decay, illness, and suffering often have the last word, Paul lifts our eyes to the One who will speak the final word of life. The journey of discipleship, marked by pressing on and longing for Christ, ends not in disintegration but in dazzling transformation. We are being made new, and one day we will see Him and be like Him.

Pressing On Together—Christ-Centered Witness in Our Time

Paul’s letter to the Philippians is more than a personal reflection from prison—it is a call to every generation of believers to live out a faith rooted not in religious performance, but in the crucified and risen Christ. His longing to “know Christ… the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings” (Philippians 3:10) reveals the heart of authentic discipleship. To know Christ is to be shaped by Him—in suffering and in glory, in daily choices and in ultimate hope. This is not a private faith, but one that overflows into public witness, joyful sacrifice, and courageous partnership in the gospel.

The Philippian church responded to Paul’s example with generosity, perseverance, and unity. They lived as citizens of heaven while navigating the complexities of life in a Roman colony. Today, we are called to do the same. In a world often marked by confusion, injustice, and spiritual hunger, the message of Christ remains the same—and just as urgent. Evangelicalism, at its best, is not about political identity or cultural dominance; it is about proclaiming the euangelion—the good news—that Jesus Christ is Savior, Lord, and Friend. It is about embodying resurrection hope through lives of humility, truth, and grace.

As we “press on toward the goal” (Phil. 3:14), we do so not alone, but together—with the global church, with local communities of faith, and with the Spirit of God shaping us from within. The path of discipleship will involve loss, resistance, and even suffering, but it leads toward glory. And along the way, we bear witness—not to ourselves, but to the One who is making all things new. May we, like Paul and the Philippians, live lives that shine with gospel joy, grounded in the truth of the resurrection and propelled by love that cannot be shaken.

 A Prayer to Live as Citizens of Heaven

Lord Jesus Christ,

You are the joy of our hearts and the goal of our journey. You have walked the road of suffering before us, and now You walk beside us. Help us to fix our eyes on You as we press on. When the path is hard, give us strength. When we stumble, lift us up with mercy. And when the world tempts us to settle for lesser things, remind us that our citizenship is in heaven.

Shape us, as You shaped Paul, into people of deep longing and daily obedience. May our lives reflect the power of Your resurrection and the beauty of Your cross. Use us to encourage one another, to live faithfully, and to wait eagerly for the day when You will transform our lowly bodies to be like Your glorious body. Until then, keep us pressing on—together, in faith, in hope, and in love.

In Your holy and glorious name we pray,

Amen.

Soli Deo Gloria