Philippians 3:11
New International Version
and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

New Living Translation
so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!

English Standard Version
that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Berean Standard Bible
and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Berean Literal Bible
if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from out of dead.

King James Bible
If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

New King James Version
if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

New American Standard Bible
if somehow I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

NASB 1995
in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

NASB 1977
in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Legacy Standard Bible
in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Amplified Bible
so that I may attain to the resurrection [that will raise me] from the dead.

Christian Standard Bible
assuming that I will somehow reach the resurrection from among the dead.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
assuming that I will somehow reach the resurrection from among the dead.

American Standard Version
if by any means I may attain unto the resurrection from the dead.

Contemporary English Version
so that somehow I also may be raised to life.

English Revised Version
if by any means I may attain unto the resurrection from the dead.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
with the confidence that I'll come back to life from the dead.

Good News Translation
in the hope that I myself will be raised from death to life.

International Standard Version
though I hope to experience the resurrection from the dead.

Majority Standard Bible
and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.

NET Bible
and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.

New Heart English Bible
if by any means I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Webster's Bible Translation
If by any means I may attain to the resurrection of the dead.

Weymouth New Testament
in the hope that I may attain to the resurrection from among the dead.

World English Bible
if by any means I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
if anyhow I may attain to the resurrection of the dead.

Berean Literal Bible
if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from out of dead.

Young's Literal Translation
if anyhow I may attain to the rising again of the dead.

Smith's Literal Translation
If somehow I shall arrive at the rising up of the dead.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
If by any means I may attain to the resurrection which is from the dead.

Catholic Public Domain Version
if, by some means, I might attain to the resurrection which is from the dead.

New American Bible
if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

New Revised Standard Version
if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
That I may by any means attain the resurrection from the dead.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
That perhaps I may be able to come to the resurrection from the place of the dead.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Godbey New Testament
if perchance I may attain unto the resurrection which is out from the dead.

Haweis New Testament
if haply I may attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

Mace New Testament
in order to obtain the resurrection of the just.

Weymouth New Testament
in the hope that I may attain to the resurrection from among the dead.

Worrell New Testament
if by any means I may attain to the out-resurrection from the dead.

Worsley New Testament
if by any means I may attain to the resurrection of the dead:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Knowing Christ Above All Else
10I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to Him in His death, 11and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. 12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.…

Cross References
1 Corinthians 15:21-22
For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. / For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.

Romans 6:5
For if we have been united with Him like this in His death, we will certainly also be united with Him in His resurrection.

1 Corinthians 15:42-44
So will it be with the resurrection of the dead: What is sown is perishable; it is raised imperishable. / It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. / It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.

2 Corinthians 4:14
knowing that the One who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in His presence.

Romans 8:11
And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you.

1 Thessalonians 4:16
For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will be the first to rise.

John 11:25-26
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies. / And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?”

1 Corinthians 15:49
And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so also shall we bear the likeness of the heavenly man.

Colossians 3:4
When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

2 Timothy 2:11
This is a trustworthy saying: If we died with Him, we will also live with Him;

1 Peter 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

John 5:28-29
Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming when all who are in their graves will hear His voice / and come out—those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.

Romans 8:23
Not only that, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

1 Corinthians 15:53-54
For the perishable must be clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. / When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come to pass: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”

Daniel 12:2
And many who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, but others to shame and everlasting contempt.


Treasury of Scripture

If by any means I might attain to the resurrection of the dead.

by.

Psalm 49:7
None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him:

Acts 27:12
And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter; which is an haven of Crete, and lieth toward the south west and north west.

Romans 11:14
If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.

attain.

Luke 14:14
And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.

Luke 20:35,36
But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: …

John 11:24
Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.

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Philippians 3
1. He warns them to beware of the false teachers;
4. showing that himself has greater cause than they to trust in the righteousness of the law;
7. which he counts as loss, to gain Christ and his righteousness;
12. acknowledging his own imperfection and pressing on toward the goal;
15. He exhorts them to be thus minded;
17. and to imitate him,
18. and to decline carnal ways.














and so
This phrase indicates a purpose or result, connecting the preceding verses where Paul discusses his desire to know Christ and the power of His resurrection. It reflects Paul's deep longing for spiritual growth and ultimate union with Christ. The phrase suggests a culmination of Paul's efforts and spiritual journey, emphasizing the transformative power of faith in Christ.

somehow
The use of "somehow" reflects Paul's humility and recognition of the mystery and grace involved in salvation. It acknowledges that while believers strive to live a life worthy of the gospel, the exact means by which they attain the resurrection is ultimately in God's hands. This word underscores the dependence on divine grace rather than human effort.

to attain
This phrase implies an active pursuit and goal. Paul is expressing his desire to reach or achieve something significant. In the context of his letter, it suggests a continuous effort in the Christian life, striving towards the ultimate goal of resurrection. It echoes the athletic imagery Paul often uses, likening the Christian life to a race or competition where one must press on towards the prize.

to the resurrection
The resurrection is central to Christian hope and theology. It refers to the future event when believers will be raised from the dead, as Christ was. This concept is rooted in Jewish eschatology and is fulfilled in the New Testament through Jesus' resurrection. It signifies victory over death and the promise of eternal life. Paul's focus on the resurrection highlights its importance as the culmination of salvation history and the believer's ultimate hope.

from the dead
This phrase emphasizes the physical reality of resurrection, distinguishing it from mere spiritual renewal. It affirms the Christian belief in bodily resurrection, as demonstrated by Jesus' own resurrection. This belief was counter-cultural in the Greco-Roman world, where many viewed the body as a prison for the soul. Paul's assertion aligns with Old Testament prophecies and Jesus' teachings, affirming the hope of new life beyond physical death.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul the Apostle
The author of the letter to the Philippians, Paul is writing from prison, expressing his deep desire to know Christ and the power of His resurrection.

2. Philippi
A city in Macedonia where the church to whom Paul is writing is located. It was the first European church founded by Paul.

3. Resurrection from the Dead
A central event in Christian eschatology, referring to the future resurrection of believers to eternal life with Christ.
Teaching Points
The Pursuit of Resurrection
Paul expresses a deep longing to attain the resurrection, which should inspire believers to prioritize their spiritual journey and relationship with Christ.

The Mystery of Resurrection
The phrase "and so, somehow" reflects the mystery and awe surrounding the resurrection. Believers are called to trust in God's power and plan, even when it is beyond human understanding.

Living in Light of Eternity
Understanding the promise of resurrection should impact how Christians live daily, encouraging them to focus on eternal values rather than temporary worldly gains.

The Power of Christ's Resurrection
Experiencing the power of Christ's resurrection involves a transformative process that begins now, as believers live out their faith in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Hope in Suffering
Paul's context of writing from prison underscores that hope in the resurrection provides strength and perspective in the midst of trials and suffering.Verse 11. - If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. The apostle uses the language of humble expectation. For the particles, "if by any means" (εἴ πως), comp. Acts 27:12; Romans 1:10; Romans 11:14. The verb "attain" means to arrive at the end of a journey; it presents the figure of a pilgrimage. Read, with R.V. and the best manuscripts, the resurrection from the dead. This phrase (used also in Luke 20:35 and Acts 4:2) means the resurrection of the blessed dead (comp. 1 Corinthians 15:23; 1 Thessalonians 4:16). This meaning is strengthened here by the repetition of the preposition with the word "resurrection" (ἐξανάστασις). The general resurrection is always called the resurrection of the dead.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
and so,
εἴ (ei)
Conjunction
Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.

somehow,
πως (pōs)
Adverb
Strong's 4459: Adverb from the base of pou; an interrogative particle of manner; in what way?; also as exclamation, how much!

to attain
καταντήσω (katantēsō)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 2658: From kata and a derivative of anti; to meet against, i.e. Arrive at.

to
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

the
τὴν (tēn)
Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

resurrection
ἐξανάστασιν (exanastasin)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1815: A rising up and out, resurrection. From exanistemi; a rising from death.

from
ἐκ (ek)
Preposition
Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.

[the] dead.
νεκρῶν (nekrōn)
Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3498: (a) adj: dead, lifeless, subject to death, mortal, (b) noun: a dead body, a corpse. From an apparently primary nekus; dead.


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